There’s a huge London derby in the Premier League this weekend as Chelsea take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal make the short trip across the capital as Premier League leaders and will be looking for a positive result as the Gunners look to retain their position heading into the season’s World Cup break.
Here is all you need to know about Sunday’s showdown.
Form
Chelsea: DDWLW
Chelsea have made a largely positive start under Graham Potter’s management, but suffered a first setback under the new head coach after being thrashed at Brighton last weekend. Potter saw his side humbled at his former employers, as the Seagulls exposed Chelsea’s system that had the attack-minded Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic as unorthodox wing-backs.
The west Londoners bounced back with a midweek win over Dinamo Zagreb, but have ground to make up in the Premier League after dropping down to sixth. Ben Chilwell’s hamstring injury has provided an unwanted headache for Potter, who saw Marc Cucurella struggle against Brighton last weekend.
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 2, 2022
Goals are proving a problem during the early weeks of Potter’s tenure, with just one from open play across the club’s last three Premier League games. Chelsea rank 12th in the division for xG this season, behind the likes of Leeds, Brentford and Fulham.
The Blues must also overcome a wretched recent record against Arsenal, having won just one of the past six meetings in all competitions, losing four.
Arsenal: WDLWW
Arsenal issued an emphatic response to defeat at PSV Eindhoven last week, with a 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest last weekend.
It was an impressive performance from the Gunners who ran riot in the second half, answering questions over whether Mikel Arteta’s side were beginning to suffer from fatigue.
Arsenal have since followed that up with a 1-0 win over FC Zurich to cement their place as group winners in the Europa League.
Arteta has called on Gabriel Jesus to score more goals as the forward endures a barren run, with the Brazilian having failed to score in his past eight appearances across all competitions.
A special moment for one of our own ❤️
Onto Thursday night, @ReissNelson9 ???? pic.twitter.com/TFvmHzJt24
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 2, 2022
“We need goals and we need them from our front players, that’s for sure, to win the games and give us bigger margins,” Arteta told Arsenal.com. “That run of lack of goals has to end for us to be in the position for us to win more matches.”
Arsenal are two points clear of Manchester City and face Chelsea and Wolves before the break for the World Cup.
Last Meeting
Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal, April 20th 2022
Arsenal boosted their hopes of a top four finish with an entertaining win at Stamford Bridge in April. Eddie Nketiah was on the scoresheet twice, against the side where he spent seven years in the academy set-up.
He opened the scoring after capitalising on Andreas Christensen’s short back pass, before a frantic first half saw the two teams exchange four goals. Timo Werner equalised for Chelsea with a deflected effort, before Emile Smith Rowe restored the visitor’s lead with a fine finish from the edge of the area.
Chelsea levelled again before the break however, as Cesar Azpilicueta arrived at the near post to steer home another equaliser.
Arsenal pushed on in the second period and Nketiah’s second put the Gunners back ahead, as he prodded in after Chelsea struggled to clear their lines. Bukayo Saka – outstanding all evening – secured the win from the penalty spot late on.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Aubameyang.
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.
Who is the referee?
Michael Oliver.
Is Chelsea v Arsenal on TV?
UK and Ireland: BT Sport 1.
USA: fuboTV.
What time is kick off?
Sunday 6th November, 12:00pm GMT.
Odds
Chelsea – 31/20
Draw – 12/5
Arsenal – 17/10
Read – Golazo Merchants: Arsenal’s non-flying Dutchman, Dennis Bergkamp
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