On Sunday at noon, an exciting Premier League London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal will bring together former rivals and coworkers.
Team Form
Chelsea
After a crushing domestic loss, mainly when Brighton & Hove Albion taught the previous manager Graham Potter a footballing lesson in a 4-1 Amex romp, winning in Europe is usually the perfect choice. However, Chelsea had to work hard for their victory over Dinamo Zagreb.
Even though the Blues’ impressive defensive run under Potter was broken, the Englishman’s side still has some distance to make up in the Premier League standings as they currently sit in sixth place, three points behind Newcastle United in fourth place with a game remaining.
For Chelsea to move up into the Champions League slots this weekend, results would need to go their way. Still, Stamford Bridge has been kind to the Blues recently, as they have gone unbeaten in 12 straight games in all competitions in front of their home crowd.
Chelsea PL Form: W W W D D L
Previously in Chelsea vs Arsenal… ? pic.twitter.com/khmTREr3cE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2022
Arsenal
Contrarily, Arsenal attempted to bounce back from a European loss with a Premier League victory last weekend. The Gunners undoubtedly showed a clinical edge that has frequently been lacking lately, defeating Nottingham Forest by five goals.
For Arsenal, avoiding an additional playoff matchup against a club that has been eliminated from the Champions League is a stroke of luck. However, if Man City defeats Fulham on Saturday, Arsenal could drop to second place.
Arsenal has surrendered five points in the Premier League this season, all of which have come on the road. Despite this, they remain the top away team in the league.
Arsenal PL Form: W W W W D W
Squad Report
Chelsea
Ben Chilwell had to leave the game against Zagreb due to a hamstring injury. It adds to Chelsea’s defensive absences from long-term knee injuries, Wesley Fofana and Reece James. Midfielders N’Golo Kante (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (hamstring) are also out.
Potter has already ruled out Kepa Arrizabalaga, so Edouard Mendy will continue to start in goal.
Graham Potter on Kepa Arrizabalaga playing before World Cup:
"No, I don't think so."
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) November 4, 2022
Arsenal
As for Arsenal, supporters saw the painful yet recognizable sight of Takehiro Tomiyasu leaving the game with an injury in the closing seconds of the victory over Zurich. Although it’s unclear how serious the defender’s muscular problem is, it would be surprising to see him start this game.
Even though Arteta had two significant boosts in midweek, Emile Smith Rowe is still out with groin surgery. Matt Turner may also be sidelined with a similar issue.
Chelsea’s possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Kovacic, Cucurella; Mount; Aubameyang, Sterling
Arsenal’s possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus
Head to Head
In the 205 games played between the two sides, Arsenal has a strong record versus Chelsea, winning 81 to Chelsea’s 66.
In their last four Premier League games versus Arsenal, Chelsea has experienced more defeats than in the previous 17 games combined.
With their two triumphs over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal has won as many away Premier League games as they had in the previous 16 contests.
All eyes on Sunday! ?#CheArs pic.twitter.com/jDWPf6xmdi
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 4, 2022
Time, Date & Venue
Date: 6 November 2022
Time: 12 pm, GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Prediction
Potter has yet to lose at Stamford Bridge. Still, the Gunners have positive memories of their most recent trips there and were able to rest several critical first-team players in midweek. So we anticipate the Gunners to exploit the Blues’ porous defense and return to the Emirates with a deserved three points.
