Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge today in the Premier League, with both sides on 18 points after 10 games and looking to climb the table after Manchester City slipped up against Brighton yesterday.
Chelsea laboured to a disappointing draw away at Manchester United last weekend and missed the chance to go third in the table, though they could yet jump that high should they triumph here. Meanwhile Arsenal enter the weekend after back-to-back defeats, the latest to Inter Milan in the Champions League, and find themselves 10 points behind leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners will want to remind neutrals of their title credentials, and a game against an old enemy at Stamford Bridge is the perfect chance to do so, while Enzo Maresca’s side will want to build on their early promise with a statement result.
Follow all the Premier League updates with our live blog below.
Chelsea v Arsenal LIVE
Chelsea face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in Premier League | 4.30pm GMT on Sky Sports
Both teams have 18 points and lie 10 adrift of leaders Liverpool
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo (c), Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice; Saka, Odegaard (c), Martinelli; Havertz.
Chelsea FC – Arsenal FC
Chelsea v Arsenal: Confirmed line-ups
15:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
Cole Palmer and Kai Havertz both start!
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo (c), Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice; Saka, Odegaard (c), Martinelli; Havertz.
subs to follow…
Chelsea v Arsenal – team news
15:10 , Lawrence Ostlere
Confirmed line-ups are moments away…
‘Not winning affects the mood’
15:10 , Mike Jones
Mikel Arteta was honest in his assessment of Arsenal’s downturn in form and says that not winning games is starting to affect the mood of his squad.
The Arsenal boss said: “When you don’t win it affects the mood and energy but the positive thing is that it is impossible that anyone in this room or outside wants to win more than I do, and these guys in the dressing room want to do.
“I had a meeting with them about it and I can sense it straight away.”
Arteta provides Arsenal injury updates
15:05 , Mike Jones
“Everyone in the squad is going to be fit and available to start the game,” Arteta said ahead of today’s clash with Chelsea. “Then it will be a decision whether it’s too early or the right moment to make that step again.
“We have to wait until tomorrow to see how [Havertz and Merino] react. Kai was a nasty cut and we had to take him off. Mikel, since the day before, wasn’t feeling great and we decided to sub him at half-time.”
Arteta on Rice’s fitness
15:00 , Mike Jones
“I have to be vague on that one because there is no clarity if he is going to be fit or not for the weekend,” Mikel Arteta said when asked whether Declan Rice would be fit enough to feature against Chelsea.
He added: “He hasn’t trained yet and it is not clear whether he is going to be available or not to play.”
Declan Rice injury latest as ‘vague’ update adds to Arsenal concerns
14:55 , Mike Jones
Declan Rice remains a major doubt for Arsenal ahead of the trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta only able to offer a “vague” update on the midfielder’s foot injury.
Rice missed Arsenal’s defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday after sustaining the injury against Newcastle last weekend – with some reports suggesting the England international has a broken toe.
Declan Rice injury latest as ‘vague’ update adds to Arsenal concerns
Can Chelsea score against Arsenal?
14:50 , Mike Jones
Arsenal have scored the last seven goals in this fixture. This match could be a good one for the Gunners to turn around their declining form or it could be an indicator that Chelsea are now performing better than their rivals.
It will all depend on which team proves successful this afternoon.
Head to head
14:45 , Mike Jones
Chelsea’s only win in the last 10 meetings in all competitions was a 2-0 triumph in the Premier League at the Emirates in August 2021.
They’ve drawn two and lost seven during that run. The Blues have failed to win any of their last five home games against the Gunners with two draws and three defeats.
Cole Palmer injury update
14:40 , Mike Jones
Cole Palmer could play for Chelsea against Arsenal this weekend, Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The England international was caught by a heavy challenge from Lisandro Martinez in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Sunday and missed training at the start of this week.
“He’s getting better,” said Blues boss Enzo Maresca. “(Just because) he can walk and have dinner it doesn’t mean he is completely fit but we still have two days to prepare the game.
“Hopefully we can have him for the session at least Saturday and then we’ll take a decision.”
Chelsea sweep past Armenian minnows Noah with merciless eight-goal display
14:35 , Mike Jones
Chelsea swept past Armenian side Noah as Enzo Maresca’s second string turned in a merciless attacking display to win 8-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Europa Conference League had been a testing ground for the head coach to ply his enviable strength in depth and, having hit four in each of their first two matches, his stand-ins raised the bar to blow the visiting team away with six goals scored in the first half demonstrating a chasmic gulf in class.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu celebrated first Chelsea goals since joining, Joao Felix grabbed the opportunity to impress with two more, while there were goals too for Axel Disasi and, most impressively, Mykhailo Mudryk whose curler from outside the box was the pick of them.
Chelsea sweep past Armenian minnows Noah with merciless eight-goal display
Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction
14:30 , Mike Jones
The hosts should be confident given Arsenal’s indifferent form of late. If they are brave in their own offensive efforts, they can win and send the Gunners into further turmoil.
Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal.
Chelsea vs Arsenal predicted line-ups
14:25 , Mike Jones
Here’s how we see the two teams lining up against each other this afternoon:
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James, Caicedo, Lavia, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Arsenal early team news
14:20 , Mike Jones
Kai Havertz picked up a head wound in midweek but should be fit to play, assuming no concussion ramifications.
Declan Rice missed that defeat to Inter Milan with a foot injury so should be considered a doubt here – but Martin Odegaard made his return from injury off the bench and might well be rushed into starting action given concerns over Arsenal’s form and the fact Mikel Merino is another doubt.
Raheem Sterling cannot feature against his parent club.
Chelsea’s early team news
14:15 , Mike Jones
Cole Palmer remains a doubt but Enzo Maresca is hopeful he’ll be involved as the attacker makes progress after a knock. Jadon Sancho is also a slight doubt but doesn’t seem likely to start anyway.
Where can I watch it?
14:10 , Mike Jones
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League, Main Event and Ultra HDR. Subscribers can stream the match on Sky Go.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is the match?
14:05 , Mike Jones
Chelsea v Arsenal kicks off at 4:30pm GMT on Sunday 10 November.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
14:00 , Mike Jones
Sunday’s big Premier League clash sees a London derby take place amid an unexpected reversal of sorts, as Chelsea host Arsenal one place above them in the table.
The Blues have been on an upward trajectory under new boss Enzo Maresca, finding some control and consistency in their game even if wins haven’t been coming as relentlessly as he’d like in the top flight. Even so, they are up to fourth following a win over Newcastle and a draw against Manchester United in their last two.
Arsenal, meanwhile, haven’t won in three and were beaten by both Bournemouth and Newcastle recently, seeing them drop down to fifth place – one behind their hosts this weekend and below them on goal difference.
Of more concern to Mikel Arteta and his pre-season ambitions will be that they’re now seven points off the pace from leaders Liverpool, so there’s work to be done for the Gunners to get back on track for a title fight.
Good afternoon!
09:54 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Chelsea host Arsenal in a crucial London derby.
The Blues hope to move into the top four and capitalise on their early season successes as they continue to shine under manager Enzo Maresca while Arsenal need to turn around a poor dip in form if they want to get themselves back into the title race.
The Gunners are currently 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool though they will be aware that another defeat for Manchester City, this time to Brighton, gives them a chance to close the gap on the reigning champions in second.
This should be a cracking affair and we’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the afternoon so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 4.30pm.
