{"id":1435636,"date":"2026-02-28T14:41:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T14:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1435636"},"modified":"2026-02-28T14:41:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T14:41:31","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 team\u2019s most used XI so far this season and predicted lineups for the match itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goalkeeper: David Raya vs Robert Sanchez<\/h3>\n\n\n
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A battle between two Spanish goalkeepers, both David Raya and Robert Sanchez have performed well this season. Raya is the league leader for clean sheets and also goals conceded — among those with significant minutes, of course. And he wins the matchup against Sanchez on clean sheets and goals conceded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raya also has the better long passing accuracy, but Sanchez comes out on top in the overall battle. The Chelsea shot-stopper is the busier man with 2.8 saves made per 90 minutes to Raya’s 1.5. But Sanchez does also save more of his shots. Sanchez is also the better short passer and attempts more long passes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Robert Sanchez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right-back: Jurrien Timber vs Reece James<\/h3>\n\n\n
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This is another intriguing battle on paper, but Reece James shines in his head-to-head against Jurrien Timber. The Englishman will be aided in some metrics by the fact that he has played in midfield. But he is capable of producing such numbers from full-back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

James has created 1.2 chances per 90 in the league this season, which is slightly better than Timber’s 1.0. But James does massively out-gun Timber for crosses attempted per 90. James also attempts more clearances and interceptions per 90, and makes more ball recoveries. But the duo are matched on tackles made, take-ons completed and ground duels won — though James has the better success rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Reece James<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Centre-backs: William Saliba vs Gabriel vs Tosin Adarabioyo vs Trevoh Chalobah<\/h3>\n\n\n
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With Wesley Fofana suspended, Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to fill one of Chelsea’s two centre-back spots. And he’s the best centre-back in his matchup per the Squawka Comparison Matrix. Now that is slightly impacted by the fact that he has the fewest minutes of our four predicted starters. And that he’s part of the busier defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adarabioyo has averaged 7.8 clearances per 90, while also winning 69.23% of his aerial duels. The Englishman also leads for forward passes and tackles made per 90. Trevoh Chalobah and Gabriel both win two of the other metrics. But Gabriel is the one to come out on top there. He leads in ground duels won per 90 and<\/em> ground duel success rate. He takes a lot of beating on the floor. Gabriel is also second to Adarabioyo for aerial duel success rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Tosin Adarabioyo & Gabriel<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Left-back: Piero Hincapie vs Malo Gusto<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Marc Cucurella is out injured, so Malo Gusto is expected to continue at left-back. Piero Hincapie, meanwhile, has been favoured on Arsenal’s left ahead of the recently-returned Riccardo Calafiori. Hincapie’s creative numbers are hampered by the fact that he has pretty evenly split his time this season across centre-back and left-back. But he still puts up a good fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hincapie has created 0.8 chances per 90 this season, which is only just beaten by Gusto’s 0.9. It’s a similar story for tackles with Gusto making 2.4 to Hincapie’s 2.3. The pair are equal on crosses attempted and interceptions. But it is Gusto who does come out on top overall, for all the minor wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Malo Gusto<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensive midfielders: Martin Zubimendi vs Declan Rice vs Moises Caicedo vs Andrey Santos<\/h3>\n\n\n
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A double pivot of dreams, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice come out on top in the midfield matchup. Caicedo is the best passer of the quartet, matched up against Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Andrey Santos. The Ecuadorean has completed 91.74% of his attempted passes — with Santos (89.56%) in second. But Rice does take the crown for forward passes at 16.3 per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caicedo also leads for interceptions and ball recoveries per 90, with Rice second in the latter. And, of course, Caicedo stands clear for his 3.2 tackles per 90. Rice is the best in the air, though. The Englishman has won 71.15% of his aerial duels in the league this season. And he’s averaged 2.3 clearances per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners: <\/strong>Moises Caicedo & Declan Rice<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right-winger: Bukayo Saka vs Cole Palmer<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Perhaps the most anticipated matchup that isn’t Rice vs Caicedo. And it’s Bukayo Saka who takes it. Even when you bring Palmer’s lack of minutes into account, which can skew per 90 stats, he hasn’t hit the heights of Saka this season. Palmer is more of a goal threat with 1.4 shots on target per 90 and 0.7 goals. But Saka has still averaged 1.3 shots on target. Palmer also leads on through balls per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saka has been the more creative player. By some distance too. He has created 2.4 chances per 90 in the league this season, compared to his compatriot’s 1.1. Saka has also provided 0.2 assists to Palmer’s 0.1. The Arsenal man comes out on top for take-ons completed and success rate, as well as fouls won and touches in the opposition box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winner: <\/strong>Bukayo Saka<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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