We’ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to pick out a combined Arsenal and Chelsea XI ahead of the Premier League clash on Sunday.
Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we’ve chosen to compare are a combination of the teams’ most-used XIs so far at this early stage of the season and predicted lineups for the match itself.
Goalkeeper: David Raya vs Emiliano Martinez
A battle between two of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers. Emiliano Martinez’s arrival at Chelsea has the potential to be transformative, and he was impressive in his debut, despite the Blues leaking three goals as they beat Brighton. However, Golden Glove holder David Raya is yet to concede a goal this season and has continued to be an elite distributor in possession.
Winner: David Raya
Right-back: Ben White vs Malo Gusto
Full-back is a tough position in which to make a comparison with Chelsea playing a different system, but there are still parallels to be drawn.
Ben White has been the go-to man on the right for Arsenal so far with Jurrien Timber injured. The Englishman has performed very well and even grabbed an assist in the 3-0 win over Coventry City.
Malo Gusto is likely to move to right wing-back on Sunday as Reece James moves into midfield. The France international has been solid across any position he’s played for Chelsea in recent times, but nobody has clocked enough right-back minutes for the Blues to warrant kicking White out of this side.
Winner: Ben White
Centre-backs: Cristhian Mosquera vs Gabriel vs Josh Acheampong vs Maxence Lacroix vs Levi Colwill
With William Saliba injured, Cristhian Mosquera should continue alongside Gabriel at the back for Arsenal, though Ezri Konsa’s first start for the club will surely come soon. As for Chelsea, a trio of Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix and Josh Acheampong feels most likely.
Acheampong has been the most progressive passer out of any of the above, while he also comes out on top for tackles, ground duels won, clearances, blocked shots and recoveries, so the impressive youngster has to get in. Colwill also looks like he’s quickly returning to his dominant best after a long lay-off. However, we have to put Gabriel in given he’s outright the best player of the bunch and has been part of a side that is yet to concede a goal so far this term.
Winners: Josh Acheampong & Gabriel
Left-back: Riccardo Calafiori vs Jorrel Hato
Riccardo Calafiori has nailed down the left-back spot so far this season for Arsenal, and has provided an assist in each of his Premier League games following a goal in the Community Shield.
However, it has to be said that Jorrel Hato has been an absolute powerhouse for Chelsea in these early stages, and he either outperforms or equals Calafiori in all but two metrics. The Dutchman’s 4.1 ground duels won per 90 minutes at a 77.78% success rate is particularly impressive.
Winner: Jorrel Hato
Defensive midfielders: Myles Lewis-Skelly vs Declan Rice vs Romeo Lavia vs Reece James
New Arsenal arrival Bruno Guimaraes is still working his way back to fitness, while Moises Caicedo came off the bench against Brighton last weekend, only to come back off injured. With that in mind, it’s Myles Lewis-Skelly who has been partnering Declan Rice for the Gunners, while Romeo Lavia has held his spot for the Blues, with Reece James his most likely partner.
Lavia scored his first Chelsea goal last time out, has been precise with the ball and aggressive without it. And while Lewis-Skelly has done well in the side ahead of Martin Zubimendi, it’s still Rice who is progressing Arsenal up the pitch and helping them force quick turnovers.
Winners: Declan Rice & Romeo Lavia
Right-winger: Bukayo Saka vs Pedro Neto
Chelsea don’t play with out-and-out wingers at the moment, but Pedro Neto has been a de facto winger, given freedom to bomb forward on the right. After largely underwhelming at Stamford Bridge, the Portugal international has genuinely impressed so far this season, and grabbed Chelsea’s second goal against Brighton at the weekend.
Neto outperforms Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka in a host of key metrics, including completing 4.4 take-ons per 90 at a 100% success rate. He surprisingly pushes out the England star here.
Winner: Pedro Neto
No.10: Martin Odegaard vs Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer looks like a man with a serious point to prove following the disappointment of missing out on England’s World Cup squad. The former Man City star has been on fire at the start of this campaign, hitting two goals and an assist, while registering 2.7 per 90 for both chances created and take-ons completed.
Martin Odegaard has also looked much improved, making Arsenal tick and already getting his first goal of the season. However, he only outperforms Palmer in through-balls per 90 by 0.1 and is in the Englishman’s shadow in every other metric.
Winner: Cole Palmer
Left-winger: Christos Tzolis vs Morgan Rogers
Chelsea are playing with dual 10s under Xabi Alonso, but a quick look at his heatmap will show you that Morgan Rogers is finding a lot of joy drifting to the left, so we’ve put him up against Christos Tzolis.
Tzolis has shown plenty of promise since his surprise move from Club Brugge, but he simply cannot compete with the numbers Rogers is producing right now. The England international has been at the heart of everything good about Chelsea, already registering a goal and an assist, while creating chances at a remarkable rate of 4.8 per 90. There’s only one winner here.
Winner: Morgan Rogers
Striker: Kai Havertz vs Joao Pedro
Viktor Gyokeres is yet to see the pitch this season, with Kai Havertz holding down Arsenal’s No.9 spot and getting off the mark quickly against Coventry.
However, the German simply cannot compare to the start of the season Joao Pedro has enjoyed. The Brazilian has dovetailed beautifully with Palmer and Rogers in a devastating Chelsea front three, helping himself to two goals and two assists so far. He outperforms Havertz in every key metric and is an automatic choice here.
Winner: Joao Pedro
