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Arsenal is set to follow their impressive North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur with another exciting clash, as they host Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s team rebounded from discussions about a potential title ‘wobble’ in remarkable fashion, securing a 4-1 victory against Spurs in Igor Tudor’s inaugural match. By the time Arsenal steps onto the pitch, the gap to Manchester City could shrink back to two points, making a favorable outcome against Chelsea even more crucial.
Liam Rosenior expressed frustration after his team ‘set fire to four points’ by relinquishing leads against Leeds and Burnley in their latest outings. Chelsea has fallen behind Manchester United into fifth place, and aside from the desire to disrupt Arsenal’s title ambitions, they are in dire need of points in the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification.
The last encounter between these two teams was in the Carabao Cup semifinal, where Arsenal triumphed 4-2 on aggregate after two closely contested matches.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s game.
How to watch:
The match will be broadcast on Sunday via Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the UK, NBC/Peacock in the U.S., JioHotstar in India, and Stan Sport in Australia. Live updates can also be followed on ESPN.
Key Details:
- Kick-off time: Sunday, March 01 at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET; 10 p.m. IST and 2:30 a.m. AEST, Monday).
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London.
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: John Brooks
Injury and Team News:
Arsenal:
- Max Dowman, M: OUT, ankle, estimated return early March
- Mikel Merino, M: OUT, foot, estimated return late May
- Ben White, D: DOUBT, knock
- Kai Havertz, F: DOUBT, muscle
Chelsea:
- Reece James, D: knock, DOUBT
- Jamie Gittens, F: muscle, OUT, estimated return late March
- Romeo Lavia, M: thigh, DOUBT, back in training
- Dário Essugo, M: muscle, DOUBT, back in training
- Marc Cucurella, D: hamstring, OUT, estimated return mid March
- Levi Colwill, D: ACL, OUT, estimated return late April
- Mykhailo Mudryk, F: suspended, OUT
- Wesley Fofana, D: suspended, OUT
- Filip Jørgensen, GK: knock, DOUBT
- Estêvão, F: knock, DOUBT
Talking Points:
Are Arsenal back on track in the title race?
A commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur has extended Arsenal’s lead over Manchester City to five points, alleviating concerns about Arteta’s squad potentially faltering in the title race.
Arsenal displayed a stark contrast to the anxious team that previously squandered a two-goal lead against Wolves. Instead of sitting back after taking the lead, they continued to press for more goals, showcasing a more aggressive approach.
While Arsenal’s defense has shown vulnerabilities lately, a rare week’s rest may have allowed them to recover from the mental and physical toll of frequent matches. Their title challenge has relied on a solid defense and effective set-pieces, both of which have seen a dip in performance recently.
However, the knowledge that they can play free-flowing football when needed should ease some nerves as they approach the final stretch. Yet, with Manchester City in top form, Arsenal understands that they cannot afford any slip-ups.
How will Liam Rosenior set up tactically?
Liam Rosenior faced criticism for his tactics during the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal. Despite needing a goal to equalize, he opted for a defensive setup, allowing Arsenal to capitalize late in the match.
The 4-2 aggregate scoreline did not fully reflect how competitive the tie was, as the atmosphere at the Emirates was tense for much of the second leg. Rosenior aimed to exploit this psychologically, but Chelsea thrives when playing offensively, suggesting a need for a more balanced approach.
With Wesley Fofana suspended and Reece James and Estêvão both doubtful, Rosenior’s tactical decisions may be influenced. Chelsea has recorded the highest expected goals (xG) in the league (52.3) but has underperformed significantly, and Rosenior will be hoping for a turnaround at the Emirates.
Arsenal has conceded 44% of their goals in 2026 due to individual errors (only Spurs have a worse record), indicating that a more aggressive strategy from Chelsea could be beneficial.
Viktor Gyökeres faces a test of his momentum
With 15 goals across all competitions this season, Viktor Gyökeres has outshone fellow summer signings like Hugo Ekitike (14, Liverpool) and João Pedro (14, Chelsea).
His performance against Tottenham was undoubtedly his best in an Arsenal jersey, taking full advantage of Spurs’ defensive weaknesses. Gyökeres was able to physically dominate Radu Dragusin, and with quick passes from Martin Ødegaard and Jurriën Timber, he thrived.
However, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo are far more formidable defenders than Dragusin, and Gyökeres may find it challenging to impose himself against them. Kai Havertz has a chance to return to the starting lineup, and given his recent success against Chelsea (three goals in just 191 minutes), Arteta might consider a striker with better playmaking skills and hold-up play than Gyökeres.
Nonetheless, Gyökeres is in exceptional form this year (10 goal contributions in 2026, averaging one every 85.8 minutes, with four goals in his last five games, averaging one every 80 minutes), so Arteta should continue to trust his Swedish striker.
Chelsea’s discipline and composure in the spotlight ahead of tough run of fixtures
Chelsea has dropped 19 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, with only West Ham (20) performing worse. While the squad’s youth is a contributing factor, Chelsea’s discipline is also a concern, as they have received eight red cards this season, the highest in the Premier League.
Additionally, Chelsea has a history of receiving red cards against Arsenal, with seven in total, only surpassed by their eight against Liverpool. Rosenior must ensure his players maintain composure, especially with a challenging schedule ahead.
Following the Arsenal match, Chelsea will face Aston Villa, Wrexham, PSG/Newcastle, Newcastle, PSG/Newcastle, Everton, Manchester City, and Manchester United leading into mid-April. This period is critical for Chelsea, and a loss against the league leaders could dampen morale, while a victory could signal the beginning of a pivotal stretch in their season.
Arsenal holds the upper hand in recent history
Mikel Arteta has only lost two of his sixteen matches (10-4-2 W-D-L) against Chelsea as Arsenal’s manager, while Liam Rosenior has suffered his only two defeats in 12 games (8-2-2 W-D-L) against the Premier League leaders.
Earlier this season, Arsenal drew 1-1 against a ten-man Chelsea, but they have won their last three home games against Chelsea. Arteta’s squad is also unbeaten in their last eight encounters with Chelsea, marking their best run against their London rivals since a stretch of 19 unbeaten matches from 1995 to 2005.
While the odds may suggest a favorable outcome for Chelsea, Rosenior has demonstrated that he can compete with Arteta, but Chelsea must elevate their performance to secure their first victory over Arsenal in nine attempts.
