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Arsenal will face Chelsea in another crucial London derby at the Emirates on Sunday, following their recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Mikel Arteta’s team rebounded from discussions of a title ‘wobble’ with an impressive 4-1 win against Spurs, marking Igor Tudor’s first match in charge. By the time Arsenal steps onto the pitch, they could reduce the gap to Manchester City to two points, making a favorable outcome against Chelsea essential.
Liam Rosenior expressed disappointment after Chelsea squandered leads against Leeds and Burnley in their last matches, feeling they ‘set fire to four points.’ Chelsea has dropped to fifth place, trailing Manchester United, and they require points not only to challenge Arsenal’s title ambitions but also to secure a UEFA Champions League spot.
The last encounter between the two teams was in the Carabao Cup semifinal, where Arsenal triumphed 4-2 on aggregate over 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 through ESPN.
Key Details:
- Kick-off time: Sunday, March 01 at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET; 10 p.m. IST and 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?
Following their 4-1 victory over Tottenham, Arsenal has increased their lead over Manchester City to five points. The performance showcased a shift from the previous nervous displays, as Arteta’s side maintained pressure and continued to seek goals rather than adopting a defensive stance.
Despite recent defensive vulnerabilities, a week of rest may have allowed Arsenal to recover from fatigue. Their title challenge has relied on a solid defense and effective set-pieces, both of which have faltered recently. The ability to play fluid football when necessary should ease concerns as they approach the final stretch of the season. However, with Manchester City in formidable form, Arsenal must avoid any missteps.
How will Liam Rosenior set up tactically?
Criticism has been directed at Liam Rosenior for his conservative tactics in the Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal, where a defensive setup failed to yield results. Chelsea’s best performances come when they adopt an attacking mindset, and Rosenior may need to adjust his strategy accordingly.
With key players like Wesley Fofana suspended and Reece James uncertain, Rosenior’s tactical choices will be crucial. Chelsea has the highest expected goals (xG) in the league but has underperformed, and Rosenior will hope for a turnaround at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyökeres faces a test of his momentum
Viktor Gyökeres has been a standout performer for Arsenal this season, scoring 15 goals across competitions. His recent display against Tottenham was particularly impressive, but he may face a tougher challenge against Chelsea’s stronger defensive lineup.
While Kai Havertz could return, Gyökeres’ current form makes him a likely starter. His contributions have been significant, and Arteta may choose to rely on him given his recent scoring streak.
Chelsea’s discipline and composure in the spotlight ahead of tough run of fixtures
Chelsea has dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, highlighting issues with discipline and composure. With eight red cards already this season, they must maintain their composure against Arsenal, a team they have historically struggled against.
Following the match against Arsenal, Chelsea faces a challenging schedule, including fixtures against Aston Villa, PSG, and Manchester City. A loss could dampen morale, while a win could spark a much-needed turnaround.
Arsenal hold the upper hand in recent history
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has lost only two of their last sixteen encounters with Chelsea, boasting a record of 10 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. Despite a draw in the earlier fixture this season, Arsenal has won their last three home games against Chelsea and remains unbeaten in their last eight meetings.
While Chelsea will aim to break their winless streak against Arsenal, they must elevate their performance to secure a victory.
