There used to be a time when a Chelsea vs. Arsenal clash was a title decider but the implications of the match diminished as the years progressed. Chelsea is a far cry from the club that used to dominate English and Arsenal is just getting their title challenging feet again after many campaigns in the trenches.

However, Arsenal’s recent sojourns to Stamford Bridge have been fruitful with the Gunners winning their last two visits to the ground. Last season, Arsenal ran Chelsea ragged on their home patch and got the goal their dominant play deserved with a solitary goal from Gabriel. The season before that was more like a dead-rubber clash but Eddie Nketiah scored a brace in a 4-2 victory. Arsenal are undefeated against Chelsea in their last four meetings, including a league double last season. 

Mauricio Pochettino has not had the start he was hoping for and has had to contend with a lot of injuries, but the performances have somewhat improved with away wins over Fulham and Burnley before the international break. Raheem Sterling has stepped up to be the best Chelsea player in recent weeks, which is expected, as he’s one of the most senior players in the team, despite arriving just a season ago. The overhaul the squad had this summer was quite insane, and the newbies have been thrown to the deep end and are expected to come up with the goods almost immediately.

To team news, Chelsea will be encouraged with the fact that their captain, Reece James, is close to being available for selection, but Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka and Trevoh Chalobah are still out. Beniot Badiashile just returned to training and will need to garner some minutes from the Reserve League before being in contention for selection. 

Mikel Arteta stated that Bukayo Saka is ‘fighting’ to be fit, while William Saliba is still good to go, despite contending with a toe injury for weeks. Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard are still out. 

Chelsea and Arsenal Predicted Lineups

Chelsea: Robert Sanchez; Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto; Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez; Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson.

Arsenal: David Daya; Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu; Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard; Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah.

Injury / Suspension Updates

Bournemouth: Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Romeo Lavia (ankle), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (knee)

Arsenal: Jurrien Timber (knee), Leandro Trossard (hamstring), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), William Saliba (toe)

Form Guide

Chelsea

• Last Five Games: D L W W W
• Last Result: Burnley 1-4 Chelsea (Odobert 15′ | Al-Dakhil OG 42′, Palmer 50′, Sterling 65′, Jackson 74′)
• Leading Goalscorer: Raheem Sterling (3)

Arsenal Form

• Last Five Games: D W W L W
• Last Result: Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City (Martinelli 86′)
• Leading Goalscorer: Bukayo Saka (3)

Gooner Daily predicts a 2 – 1 win.

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