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Chelsea vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (C) vies with Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 6, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (C) vies with Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 6, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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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.

Arsenal have dominated the head-to-head duel with Chelsea in recent times. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal have dominated the head-to-head duel with Chelsea in recent times. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

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

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