Arsenal continue their push for the Premier League title in a London derby against Chelsea.
Victory would see Arsenal extend their title lead back up to five points over second-placed Manchester City, whilst Chelsea could climb to fourth if Manchester United lose to Crystal Palace.
Team News
Arsenal could be without Bukayo Saka (ankle) plus Kai Havertz and Ben White (both muscle) subject to late fitness tests.
Mikel Merino (foot) and Max Dowman (ankle) remain absent, although Dowman has returned to Under-21s action but isn’t ready to be rushed back into the senior squad.
Chelsea will be without Brazilian winger, Estevao after he missed their 1-1 draw at home to Burnley due to a hamstring injury.
Wesley Fofana is also sidelined after he was red carded in the clash against Burnley.
Filip Jorgensen (fitness), Dario Essugo (unspecified), Marc Cucurella, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (both hamstring), Levi Colwill (ACL) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday 1 March at 4:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings against Chelsea (W5, D3).
- Chelsea have won one of their last four league visits to Arsenal (W1, L4).
- Two of Arsenal’s last three league meetings against Chelsea have ended in 1-1 draws.
- Viktor Gyokeres has scored four goals across two of Arsenal’s last four league matches.
- Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five league matches.
Prediction
Having absolutely clinically dispatched Tottenham in a dominant North London derby display, Arsenal now need to try and bring that same quality and be more fiery than they were in their late victory at home to Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final just under a month ago.
Chelsea meanwhile have to bring more composure and clinical end product than they managed to produce for all of their dominance in that match, particularly as those two elements were an issue against Burnley which were costly on top of poor marking of Zian Flemming’s headed equaliser for the Clarets in injury time.
Their reverse league clash though proved scrappy and tight but given Chelsea’s poor away form against the Gunners, I fancy Arsenal to nick this but it should nevertheless be a more lively game than a month ago.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
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