Premier League Defending champions Arsenal face their toughest test of the new season so far when they host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
The pair have a history throughout the modern era, and both teams have made a strong start to the new season.
Free-scoring Chelsea will fancy their chances of breaking down the Gunners’ stout defence, and vice versa as Mikel Arteta’s men look to set an early sign of intent.
Follow all the team news here on 101GreatGoals.
Arsenal team news
New signing Ezri Konsa has been given his Arsenal debut in the only change made by Mikel Arteta.
The England defender replaces Christian Mosquera, who suffered a muscle injury in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday.
Arsenal starting lineup: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriele, Calafiore; Rice Lewis Skelly. Saka, Odegaard, Zoulis; Havertz
Arsenal substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Eze, Merino, Zubimendi, Guimarães, Dauman, Guqueres, Madueke
Chelsea team news
Xabi Alonso has made two changes to the Blues’ starting lineup, with captain Reece James returning to the team.
Emi Martinez continues to be the goalkeeper against the club that brought him to England for the first time, while in front of him Josh Acheampong returns to the team alongside the French duo Wesley Fofana and Maxence Lacroix.
James replaces Malo Gusto, while he remains unchanged up front, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro looking to continue their strong start to the season.
Chelsea starting lineup: Martinez, Acheampong, Fofana, Lacroix, Neto, James, Lafia, Hato, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro.
Chelsea substitutes: Benders, Colwell, Gusto, Chavarria, Barco, Quinda, Gittens, Welbeck, Estevao
Arsenal and Chelsea match statistics, English Premier League formation
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches against Chelsea (W6 D3), their best run since a 19-game run between 1995 and 2005.
- They have lost one of their last 29 Premier League derbies (W22, D6) and are unbeaten in their last 16 (W12, D4).
- The Gunners were the last team to achieve a longer losing streak, between August 2022 and November 2023 (17 matches).
- Only once in the last 21 seasons have Arsenal started a campaign with three wins, in 2022/23.
- Bukayo Saka can score in more than two consecutive league matches for the first time since January and February 2024 (5 in a row), with Alexandre Lacazette becoming the latest Arsenal player to score in the first three matches of a season (2020/21).
- Chelsea have lost their last four Premier League away games to Arsenal by an aggregate score of 11-2, with their last win coming 2-0 in August 2021.
- They last won their first four games of a season in all competitions in 2016/17 under Antonio Conte.
- The last Chelsea manager to win his first three Premier League matches was Maurizio Sarri in 2018/19.
- With 12 goals (F7 A5), Chelsea’s first two matches of a Premier League season contained the most goals from the same team apart from Arsenal in 2004/05 (13) and Leeds United in 2020/21 (14).
- The last team to have their first three matches of a Premier League season all contain at least five goals was Arsenal in 1988/89.
Where to watch the Arsenal vs. Chelsea match: TV channel, live stream online
The match will kick off on Sunday at 16:30 GMT (11:30 ET / 08:30 PT), with live coverage in the UK from Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
via Now TVSky Sports costs £14.99 for a daily membership, £27.99 per month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 per month without a contract.
Here’s the full list Premier League broadcasters.
Predictions for the Arsenal and Chelsea match in the English Premier League
Chelsea’s attacking intensity should see them finally break down Arsenal’s defense but Emiliano Martinez won’t shut down Arsenal either. There’s a draw thriller on the cards.
