By Chelsea welcomes Arsenal to Stamford Bridge Sunday afternoon for a pivotal London derby, with both teams looking to strengthen their Champions League credentials amid concerns over key players’ fitness.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, fresh from an 8-0 Conference League demolition of Armenian side FC Noah on Thursday, sits fourth in the Premier League on 18 points, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. The Blues enter the match on an eight-game unbeaten home run across all competitions, though they’ve failed to keep a Premier League clean sheet at Stamford Bridge this season.
Arsenal arrives following consecutive 1-0 defeats at Newcastle United and Inter Milan, with Mikel Arteta’s side struggling for offensive inspiration. The Gunners have slipped to fifth place, seven points behind leaders Liverpool, though they’ve won their last six London derbies by a combined score of 22-3.
Team News:
Chelsea sweats over the availability of Cole Palmer, the league’s most productive player with 12 goal involvements, after he sustained an injury against Manchester United last weekend. Jadon Sancho remains doubtful with illness, while Omari Kellyman is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Arsenal’s key midfielder Declan Rice faces a late fitness test for a suspected broken toe, though Martin Odegaard’s return from an ankle injury bolsters their creativity. Kai Havertz requires assessment following a midweek head collision, while Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney remain out.
Probable Lineups:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Jorginho, Partey; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
The match kicks off at 4:30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. ET) at Stamford Bridge, where Arsenal is unbeaten in their last five visits, including last season’s 2-2 draw.
