Open Extended Reactions
Arsenal will face Chelsea in another London derby this Sunday at the Emirates Stadium, following their recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Mikel Arteta’s team rebounded from discussions about a potential title ‘wobble’ with an impressive 4-1 win against Spurs in Igor Tudor’s debut match. By the time Arsenal takes the field, they could find themselves just two points behind Manchester City, making a favorable outcome against Chelsea crucial.
Liam Rosenior expressed frustration after his team squandered leads against Leeds and Burnley, feeling they ‘set fire to four points.’ Chelsea has dropped to fifth place, trailing Manchester United, and they require points not only to disrupt Arsenal’s title aspirations but also to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
The last encounter between these two teams was in the Carabao Cup semifinal, where Arsenal triumphed 4-2 on aggregate in two tightly contested matches.
How to watch:
- The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the UK, NBC/Peacock in the U.S., JioHotstar in India, and Stan Sport in Australia. Live updates will also be available on ESPN.
Key Details:
- Kick-off time: Sunday, March 01 at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET; 10 p.m. IST; 2:30 a.m. AEST, Monday).
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London.
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: John Brooks
Injury and Team News:
Arsenal:
- Max Dowman, M: OUT, ankle, estimated return early March
- Mikel Merino, M: OUT, foot, estimated return late May
- Ben White, D: DOUBT, knock
- Kai Havertz, F: DOUBT, muscle
Chelsea:
- Reece James, D: knock, DOUBT
- Jamie Gittens, F: muscle, OUT, estimated return late March
- Romeo Lavia, M: thigh, DOUBT, back in training
- Dário Essugo, M: muscle, DOUBT, back in training
- Marc Cucurella, D: hamstring, OUT, estimated return mid March
- Levi Colwill, D: ACL, OUT, estimated return late April
- Mykhailo Mudryk, F: suspended, OUT
- Wesley Fofana, D: suspended, OUT
- Filip Jørgensen, GK: knock, DOUBT
- Estêvão, F: knock, DOUBT
Talking Points:
Are Arsenal back on track in the title race?
The 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur has extended Arsenal’s lead over Manchester City to five points, alleviating concerns about Arteta’s squad potentially faltering in the title race.
Arsenal displayed a markedly different performance compared to their previous match, where they relinquished a two-goal lead against Wolves. This time, they maintained their offensive momentum, contrasting with their more defensive strategies in earlier games.
Despite recent defensive vulnerabilities, a week’s rest may have allowed Arsenal to recover from the fatigue of a congested schedule. Their title challenge has relied on a solid defense and effective set-pieces, both of which have seen a decline recently.
Arsenal’s ability to play attacking football when needed should provide reassurance as they approach the final stretch of the season. However, with Manchester City in formidable form, Arsenal understands the importance of securing points.
How will Liam Rosenior set up tactically?
Liam Rosenior faced criticism for his tactics during the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal, where his defensive setup failed to yield a goal despite needing one to equalize.
While Chelsea’s attacking prowess is evident, Rosenior may need to adjust his strategy, especially with key players like Wesley Fofana suspended and Reece James uncertain to play. Chelsea has the highest expected goals (xG) in the league but has struggled to convert that into results.
Arsenal has conceded a significant portion of their goals this season due to individual errors, suggesting that a more aggressive approach from Chelsea could be beneficial.
Viktor Gyökeres faces a test of his momentum
With 15 goals this season, Viktor Gyökeres has outperformed other summer signings. His recent performance against Tottenham showcased his potential, but he may face a tougher challenge against Chelsea’s stronger defensive lineup.
While Kai Havertz could return, Gyökeres’s current form makes him a likely choice for Arteta, given his impressive contributions in recent matches.
Chelsea’s discipline and composure in spotlight ahead of tough run of fixtures
Chelsea has dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, highlighting issues with discipline, as evidenced by their league-high eight red cards.
Rosenior’s squad must maintain composure, especially against Arsenal, a team they have frequently faced with reduced numbers. Following this match, Chelsea’s schedule includes challenging fixtures that could define their season.
Arsenal hold the upper hand in recent history
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has lost only two of their last sixteen encounters with Chelsea, while Rosenior’s only defeats have come against the league leaders. Although the teams drew earlier this season, Arsenal has won their last three home matches against Chelsea and remains unbeaten in their last eight meetings.
While Chelsea may seek to break their winless streak against Arsenal, they will need to elevate their performance to secure a victory.
