{"id":1435636,"date":"2026-09-05T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1435636"},"modified":"2026-09-30T17:47:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:47:29","slug":"arsenal-vs-chelsea-comparison-matrix-combined-xi","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-vs-chelsea-comparison-matrix-combined-xi\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal vs Chelsea: The Comparison Matrix combined XI for Premier League clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to pick out a combined Arsenal<\/a> and Chelsea<\/a> XI ahead of the Premier League<\/a> clash on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goalkeeper: David Raya vs Emiliano Martinez<\/h3>\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>David Raya<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right-back: Ben White vs Malo Gusto<\/h3>\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Ben White<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Centre-backs: Cristhian Mosquera vs Gabriel vs Josh Acheampong vs Maxence Lacroix vs Levi Colwill<\/h3>\n\n\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Josh Acheampong & Gabriel<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Left-back: Riccardo Calafiori vs Jorrel Hato<\/h3>\n\n\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Jorrel Hato<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensive midfielders: Myles Lewis-Skelly vs Declan Rice vs Romeo Lavia vs Reece James<\/h3>\n\n\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Declan Rice & Romeo Lavia<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right-winger: Bukayo Saka vs Pedro Neto<\/h3>\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Pedro Neto<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n