Two of the Premier League‘s perfect sides meet in a fiery London derby as Arsenal host Chelsea on Sunday at 4:30pm.
The Gunners are the defending champions and are looking to continue their 100% start. They opened the season with a win over Coventry City at home, before beating Aston Villa at Villa Park. And they’ve won both matches without conceded.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have started life under Xabi Alonso in strong fashion. The Blues have won both of their league games so far, and are the joint-highest scorers with seven goals. However, they have also conceded five in their victories over Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion.
This has been a one-sided fixture of late, dominated by Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s men are unbeaten in their past 11 games against Chelsea across all competitions, since a 2-0 defeat in August 2021. Chelsea’s past two wins over Arsenal have been at the Emirates, albeit spread over almost seven years.
Arsenal vs Chelsea team news
Arsenal team news
Declan Rice had to come off against Aston Villa last weekend with a knock, but he is expected to be fit to start. It will be a boost with doubts currently surrounding Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian was absent from training on Thursday and has been struggling with a groin issue since signing. He’s only played 19 minutes so far this season. It could mean another start in midfield for Myles Lewis-Skelly alongside Rice.
Cristhian Mosquera was also absent from training after an injury suffered against Aston Villa. He was replaced at centre-back in that match by Ezri Konsa, and the Englishman may continue as Gabriel’s partner. William Saliba remains out longer-term due to a back injury suffered at the World Cup. This game is also too soon for Jurrien Timber, so Ben White should continue at right-back with Riccardo Calafiori on the left.
Arsenal’s front four should remain the same for the third game running. Kai Havertz will lead the line against his former club, with Martin Odegaard in the No.10. Bukayo Saka should start on the right, with Christos Tzolis on the left. Although the likes of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke will be hoping for a chance in place of Tzolis, who did struggle against Aston Villa.
Chelsea team news
Alonso suffered a blow in their win over Brighton, with Moises Caicedo suffering an injury setback. The Ecuadorean came off the bench against his former side but only lasted 14 minutes becoming having to be replaced. Jordan Henderson is also still waiting for clearance due to the freak hand injury he picked up at the World Cup. It leaves Chelsea very thin in midfield. Romeo Lavia will start, with Reece James likely to replace Malo Gusto alongside him.
However, Gusto may not fall out of the team. The Frenchman could replace Pedro Neto at wing-back, providing more defensive cover against Arsenal’s wingers. Jorrel Hato should continue on the left, with Pep Chavarria not yet starting and Marco Palestra yet to return from injury. Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix will make up the rest of the defence, with Emiliano Martinez in goal.
The front three should remain the same too. Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer have started the new season well, given others very little chance to replace them. The likes of Jamie Gittens, Estevao, Neto, Geovany Quenda and Danny Welbeck will be hoping to make an impact from the bench.
Arsenal vs Chelsea predicted lineups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Gabriel, Konsa, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.
Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Lacroix, Colwill, Fofana; Gusto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Pedro.