Arsenal vs Chelsea – News and Probable Lineups

Chelsea’s unbeaten run in the Premier League under Liam Rosenior faces a significant challenge on Sunday when they meet Arsenal, the only team to have beaten them so far in this new chapter.

The Gunners are returning to a jubilant Emirates Stadium after a decisive 4-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, shortly after Chelsea experienced a frustrating 1-1 draw with Burnley.

Match overview

There are some certainties in life: death, taxes, and Eberechi Eze finding the net against Tottenham; despite not always performing to expectations since joining in the summer, he shines in matches against his former admirers.

Months after his stunning home hat-trick in the North London derby, Eze’s two goals aided a brace from man-of-the-match Viktor Gyokeres at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, showcasing a new resilience from Mikel Arteta’s team.

Although some away fans may have been anxious after Declan Rice’s error led to Randal Kolo Muani equalizing, Arsenal responded with determination, unlike their previous outing against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

This allowed the Gunners to re-establish a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, although this may change if Manchester City, who have a game in hand, defeat Leeds United on Saturday evening.

Since a surprising defeat to Manchester United in January, Arteta’s squad has been fortifying their home ground, winning four consecutive home matches, maintaining clean sheets in three of those, and scoring eight goals.

In terms of current form, the blue side has a slight advantage, gathering 14 points from their last 18, while Arsenal has secured 11. However, some vulnerabilities are evident within Rosenior’s project.

Following a painful 2-2 draw with Leeds United, Chelsea responded with a resounding victory over FA Cup opponents Hull City. However, last weekend they faced déjà vu, dropping points to another newly-promoted side at home for the second consecutive week.

Zian Flemming’s last-minute equalizer earned Burnley a point at Stamford Bridge, leaving Chelsea in fifth place, trailing Manchester United by three points, though the match was marred by instances of racist abuse aimed at Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri.

At least the draw keeps Chelsea unbeaten in the league since Rosenior took charge, and the former Strasbourg manager could become the first English manager since Tim Sherwood in the 2013-14 season to win his first three Premier League away fixtures.

Nonetheless, Rosenior has been outsmarted by Arsenal twice in the EFL Cup semi-finals, and Chelsea hasn’t triumphed over the Gunners since August 2021, with Arsenal currently on a remarkable 10-match unbeaten streak against the Club World Cup champions.

Team News

Arsenal faced a concerning moment regarding Bukayo Saka when the England international twisted his ankle awkwardly near the end against Tottenham; however, Arteta did not provide a post-match update, indicating that he may be fit for this derby.

None of Kai Havertz (thigh), Max Dowman (ankle), or Ben White—who missed the Tottenham match due to a knock—have been officially ruled out yet, with Mikel Merino the only confirmed absentee for the Gunners at this time.

Martin Odegaard appeared as a substitute last weekend after recovering from a knee issue, but the captain is expected to play a secondary role to Eze again; every one of Eze’s last 11 Premier League goals has been scored in London.

On Chelsea’s side, Rosenior must make a defensive change due to Fofana’s red card for two yellow cards against Burnley, resulting in a one-match suspension.

Tosin Adarabioyo is likely to step in for Fofana in defense, but Rosenior also has concerns regarding the fitness of Marc Cucurella (thigh), Estevao Willian (thigh), Dario Essugo (unspecified), and Filip Jorgensen (unspecified) ahead of the trip to Arsenal.

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) will definitely be absent for the visitors, along with Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has now set the record for the longest suspension in Premier League history.

Arsenal probable starting XI:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokers

Chelsea probable starting XI:

Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Gusto; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro

Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s greatest player ever, has expressed increased concern about Chelsea compared to Tottenham, though the Frenchman shouldn’t be overly anxious.

The Gunners displayed their ruthless nature against Tottenham, while a Chelsea side plagued by injuries has surrendered the second-highest number of points from winning positions in the 2025-26 Premier League; thus, even if the visitors strike first, it may prove in vain.