Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview: Prediction, Team News & Lineups
After another two-week hiatus, Mikel Arteta’s showtime Arsenal are back in action on Saturday evening as they travel to Chelsea for a London derby.
The Gunners entered the international break in a buoyant mood following their 1-0 victory over Manchester City, and it looks as if Arteta’s squad will crucially return to London Colney injury-free.
After securing a huge triumph before the break, the Gunners will now be hoping to continue their productive start to the season. Arsenal have dominated the head-to-head duel with Chelsea as of late, and one of their most dominant performances of 2022/23 arrived at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues head into Saturday’s clash having won three straight.
Mauricio Pochettino has endured a difficult start to life in west London, but his Chelsea outfit have shown distinct signs of improvement in recent weeks having struggled time and time again in the final third. The ex-Tottenham boss will be keen to get one over Arsenal this weekend, perhaps restoring his reputation a little bit among Spurs supporters.
Chelsea vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
Here’s our preview of the Gunners’ Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday evening.
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal on TV
When is kick-off? Saturday 21 October
What time is kick-off? 17:30 (BST)
Where is it played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League (UK) / Peacock (USA) / fuboTV (Canada)
Referee? Chris Kavanagh
Chelsea team news
Chelsea’s injury crisis has seemingly only worsened over the international break. While Benoit Badiashile is edging closer to a return, Romeo Lavia, Trevoh Chalobah, and Carney Chukwuemeka have all suffered setbacks in their recoveries and will not be available this weekend.
Doubts have also arisen regarding captain Reece James, who suffered an injury in training before the break.
Ben Chilwell misses out, as does Axel Disasi. Cole Palmer also picked up a knock on international duty but should be fine for minutes off the bench this weekend.
Arsenal team news
There’s more positive news for the visitors, although doubts continue to linger surrounding Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Leandro Trossard. Saka and Partey, though, are expected to be fit for starts.
Jurrien Timber is a long-term absentee, with the Gunners having no fresh injury concerns.
Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey are both vying for starts.
Chelsea vs Arsenal predicted lineups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Sterling, Enzo, Mudryk; Jackson.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Chelsea’s recent form
Burnley 1-4 Chelsea (07/10) – Premier League
Fulham 0-2 Chelsea (02/10) – Premier League
Chelsea 1-0 Brighton (27/09) – Carabao Cup
Chelsea 0-1 Aston Villa (24/09) – Premier League
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea (17/09) – Premier League
Arsenal’s recent form
Arsenal 1-0 Man City (08/10) – Premier League
Lens 2-1 Arsenal (03/10) – Champions League
Bournemouth 0-4 Arsenal (30/09) – Premier League
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal (27/09) – Carabao Cup
Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham (24/09) – Premier League
Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction
The underlying number suggested Chelsea were always going to enjoy an uptick in form at some point, and that upsurge arrived just before the break. While they picked up wins against sides they would’ve been expected to beat, their recent success will inspire plenty of confidence ahead of Arsenal’s visit.
This is not a simple test for the visitors, who have been productive without being at their very best. However, Arteta could deploy what some might regard as his strongest XI on Saturday and their incredible away form suggests they won’t be bothered by a more effusive Stamford Bridge this weekend.
This has the makings of a back-and-forth London derby with the Gunners prevailing.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
