Chelsea vs Arsenal preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

Arsenal face the daunting task of a short journey west to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. Here is the match preview.

So, how many goals….will Arsenal valiantly block on the line as they battle to a goalless draw against the FA Cup and Champions League finalists?

No, but in all honesty, trips to Stamford Bridge haven’t been kind to Arsenal in recent years, as have none of the away visits to the ‘big six’. It’s been a horrible hunting ground for the Gunners who have to travel back to 2011 for the last time three points were secured – a barmy 5-3 win when Mikel Arteta was playing.

Given the recent trajectories of both teams, hopes of ending that run will be at the lowest they’ve been in that decade.

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Chelsea vs Arsenal Premier League preview: Wednesday’s London derby clash

Arsenal saw off West Brom 3-1 last time out with a much-needed victory, although the performance against such weak opposition won’t have sent any tremors in Chelsea’s direction who are a side transformed under Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues have sent the benchmark for a ‘new manager bounce’, being improved in every single facet and now looking both certain for a top four berth as well as having two finals coming up to finish the season off in some style.

Of course, fans will look at the difference sacking a rookie manager and employing an experienced one mid-season will have, which while supremely effective, did also have over £200m spent on it in the summer on a superb collection of talent.

With three matches left to play this season pride is all there is left to aim for. A European berth simply won’t happen and if anything the club would probably prefer these games didn’t take place in which case work can begin on a seismic summer of activity.

Losing to Chelsea is not fun, though. It really isn’t. It was this fixture back in December that kick-started Frank Lampard’s demise in the dugout and sent Arsenal on a solid run of form to lift them out of the holes they’d dug for themselves. That was an enjoyable day. Another one of those would sit well.

Remarkably, on the last 20 Premier League results alone, the Gunners would sit fifth in the table with 35 points accrued whereas Chelsea have secured four more during that period. What a crazy season of football.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 12 May
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:15 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Stamford Bridge
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Andre Marriner

Arsenal Team News vs Chelsea

Arteta is sweating on the fitness of four players for the upcoming London derby, three who didn’t feature on Sunday and one who had to withdraw early.

The first is Emile Smith Rowe, the third player over the past few weeks to have suffered a hamstring injury. After scoring his first Premier League goal for the club against West Brom he had to be taken off earlier in the second half (he should have come off anyway) after feeling something in his hamstring.

"“I don’t know [how long he’ll be out for],” Arteta said. “Sometimes he cramps and that’s something that’s been happening for a while because he’s still adapting to the league, to the amount of games every three days. Hopefully it’s nothing major.”"

There were two defenders absent to face the Baggies with both David Luiz and Pablo Mari not fit to make the bench. Luiz is recovering from his own hamstring problem while Mari sprained his ankle against Villarreal.

Both are due in training ahead of facing the Blues but are touch and go to feature.

Finally there is Granit Xhaka who suffered a groin strain in the warm-up to the Villarreal draw, someone whose presence is only keenly felt once he’s out of the team. Of all the injured players it’s the Swiss who is needed the most, thus it’s fingers crossed.

Chelsea are in good condition for this one with Mateo Kovacic potentially available for some minutes ahead of the FA Cup final, while Andreas Christensen suffered a thigh injury which looks to be their only absentee.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic

Arsenal: Leno; Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Aubameyang

Chelsea vs Arsenal Score Prediction

A fixture usually adorned with various narratives and talking points is on this occasion no more than a distraction for both sides. Arsenal securing a morale-boosting win over Chelsea would, of course, provide a moment to savour in an otherwise unpalatable season, while the Blues have their sights fixed on FA Cup glory on the weekend.

They are not out of the woods yet in regards to finishing in the top four, but with a six-point gap over West Ham in fifth they’re in a strong position to do so.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1391747912598708232

When Chelsea came to the Emirates on Boxing Day it was the visitors in better shape than Arsenal despite their own struggles, and the situation is no different now. Tuchel has transformed his new side into an entirely different proposition, and along with Manchester City they’re the team you’d least like to face – probably why those two are in the final of the biggest European club competition.

Taking on Leicester for the FA Cup will not see them rest players here, given there is plenty of time for recovery, thus it’s expected to be two full strength teams on show.

Arteta lost his first home game in charge against this opposition back in December 2019, but in the three corresponding meetings has secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, a 2-1 win in the FA Cup final and overseen that 3-1 win five months ago.

This is now a totally different kettle of fish and unless Arsenal can start strongly their paper thin confidence will be penetrated from the off. Even when West Brom scored to reduce the lead on Sunday, the nerves visibly kicked in.

Win here and this dire season at least has something to be cheerful for as it trudges its way across the finish line. It doesn’t feel overly likely, however.

Score Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal