Arsenal vs Chelsea – LIVE
Arsenal have beaten Chelsea by a goal-to-nil, thus ending a run of three Premier League games without a victory. As a result, the Gunners have closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to 12 points and could cut it down to nine by the next time Arne Slot’s side are in action.
The only goal of the game came midway through the first-half as Mikel Merino headed home Martin Odegaard’s corner. In a London derby that lacked a lot of quality, Chelsea’s best chance came when David Raya almost let Marc Cucurella’s volley through his hands and into the bottom corner.
Enzo Maresca’s side are chasing Champions League qualification and the loss means the Blues miss the chance to create some distance between themselves and Manchester City in the battle, though they remain fourth in the Premier League table. Follow all the action back with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog! Simon Collings and Malik Ouzia provided expert analysis from the ground!
Arsenal vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Merino ends Arsenal's corner drought
- Chelsea XI confirmed - Palmer out
- Arsenal lineup announced: Martinelli starts
Chelsea player ratings
15:43 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJadon Sancho 4
Got nothing out of Myles Lewis-Skelly in a lifeless display.
Enzo Fernandez 5
Playing higher up the pitch in Cole Palmer’s absence, was another who charged around midfield looking for a dust-up.
Christopher Nkunku 4
Another who offered nothing to Chelsea’s attack and was tellingly replaced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with 15 minutes to play.
Click here for our Chelsea player ratings in full!
Arsenal player ratings
15:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGabriel Martinelli 6
Made his first start since the beginning of last month after recovering from a hamstring injury. Caused some problems with his pace.
Mikel Merino 7
Got the all-important goal with a great header at the near post. Worked tirelessly off the ball and continues to do a job up top.
Leandro Trossard 5
One of those days for the Belgian. Got into some good positions, but could not make the most of the chances. Frustrating.
Click here for our Arsenal player ratings!
FULL-TIME
15:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Not a great London derby, but Arsenal claim all three points thanks to Mikel Merino’s goal.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: Into four minutes of injury time.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: Late Arsenal change sees Odegaard replaced by Tierney.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Two more changes for Chelsea as Gusto and Tosin replace Fofana and Badiashile.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne84 min: Odegaard error is almost costly as Chelsea pour forward. George stands up a cross to the back post for Cucurella who gets above Timber but heads the ball straight at Raya.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Latest Chelsea change sees the return to action for Romeo Lavia.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Into the final 10 minutes at the Emirates. Will one goal be enough for the Gunners?
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Meaty challenge from Caicedo on Martinelli leaves the Arsenal winger on the floor.
That is the Brazilian’s last action of the game as he is replaced by Nwaneri - making his final appearance before turning 18.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne77 min: This is how close Arsenal came to doubling their lead through Mikel Merino...
Arsenal were this close to doubling their lead 🤏😲 pic.twitter.com/5oS7tX0zwO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 16, 2025
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Double change for Chelsea sees Sancho and Nkunku replaced by George and Dewsbury-Hall.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Better delivery from Rice from the corner. Martinelli gets up at the back post but heads wide under pressure from Caicedo.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
15:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne72 min: After all of that, Rice strikes the ball into the wall.
Talk about an anti-climax...
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne69 min: Fofana has to take action to stop Lewis-Skelly’s marauding run through the middle. Really good position this for Arsenal as several players stand over the free-kick.
Raya sprints down the pitch to over Rice some advice. Will it work?
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Good defending from Badiashile to stop Martinelli getting into a dangerous position.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
14:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMartinelli starting to look very tired. No surprise, really, given it's his first start since the begin of last month. Time for Nwaneri?
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne64 min: Rice gets in behind the Chelsea defence, pulls the ball back for Odegaard who sees an effort saved by Sanchez. The Arsenal captain is then shown a yellow card for fouling Cucurella.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: Two really poor corner deliveries from Neto in quick succession.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
14:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFair play Robert Sanchez, he’s looked all over the place for a lot of this game but that is some save.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: ARSENAL CHANCE
Martinelli picks out Merino at the back post and the Spaniard meets the ball with a clean connection.
However, Sanchez is equal to it. Very good stop.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Neto, who scored Chelsea’s equaliser in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, fires an effort over the bar.
Partey is then shown a yellow card for an earlier foul on Fernandes.
Fofana goes into the book for delaying the restart.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Booking for Gabriel as he catches James.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
14:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNot quite sure Fofana hasn't been booked yet - and I think the Arsenal bench feel the same.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: Fofana pulls back Trossard but avoids a yellow card.
Neto talks himself into a booking though.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Decent start to the second half by Arsenal as they win a couple of corners which lead to nothing.
Neto then has a shot blocked by Saliba.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at the Emirates Stadium
No changes from either side.
HALF-TIME!
14:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Gunners lead a fiery London derby at the break thanks to Mikel Merino's goal.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+1 min: Again, it’s not great goalkeeping from Sanchez but he gets away with it as Trossard can’t sort out his feet.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Fofana is down following an aerial duel with Merino.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: Fernandez lashes the ball over following another decent spell of possession from Chelsea.
Nkunku goes down in the box under a challenge from Saliba but no penalty for that as the Arsenal defender got the ball first.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA strange passage here were neither set of fans sound happy. Arsenal’s are edgy at the amount of possession Chelsea are being allowed and Chelsea’s are frustrated that they don’t look like doing much with it.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne39 min: Better spell from Chelsea in the last couple of minutes. Keeping possession well, and they will be buoyed by that Raya moment.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
14:08 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSanchez been getting stick all game for some shaky moments and then Raya does that. Huge let-off.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne36 min: A couple of blocked Chelsea efforts before the ball sits up for Cucurella to strike on the volley.
It’s a decent strike but one Raya should deal with comfortably. Except he doesn’t and the ball squirms through his legs and out for a corner!
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Superb reading of the game from Gabriel as he intercepts a pass to Fernandez and sets Arsenal on the attack.
Odegaard feeds Martinelli who then shoots over.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne32 min: Cucurella is not happy with the linesman, he is adamant Timber was in an offside position but the flag was not raised.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
14:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCaicedo really has woken up on the wrong side of the bed today. Every time he goes to press or tackle there’s a petulant little shove at the end of it and a few choice words exchanged.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
14:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Concern for Timber as he slowly gets back to his feet. Looks ok to continue but is walking gingerly.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFernandez is getting really frustrated in that advanced position, chasing shadows in the press. He just hasn’t got Palmer’s mobility.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
13:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: First booking of the game goes to Colwill as he catches Trossard late.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
13:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne26 min: Decent response from Chelsea but Fernandez has sent a tame effort wide of the post.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
13:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRice was fuming with Fofana there and VAR checks for a kick from the Chelsea defender. Nothing given, but Chelsea living so dangerously.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
13:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA few Chelsea players already look to have lost heads here. Moises Caicedo had three or four late nibbles at players in the same passage of play there and is lucky to get away with all of them.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
13:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne23 min: Not a great challenge from Fofana on Rice. VAR checking this but the Frenchman escapes further punishment.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
13:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal succeeded there into dragging every Chelsea player in the box into the same few yards of space. It’s only a gentle, looping header, but there’s no one even in the vicinity of the far post to clear.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea | Mikel Merino '19
13:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: GOALLLLL
The corner drought is over for Arsenal as Mikel Merino heads home Martin Odegaard’s cross.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: Martinelli does really well to escape Badiashile’s attentions down the right, his cross into the box is cleared and then put out for a corner by Cucurella.
Odegaard swings this one in...
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Another half chance for Arsenal as Trossard can’t steer an effort on target after the ball dropped kindly for him in the area.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
13:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA familiar feeling of Arsenal needing to make the most of this dominance. Chelsea, surely, cannot be this sloppy at the back all game?
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: VAR check for a potential red card for Thomas Partey for his challenge on Fernandez.
The Arsenal midfielder did get the ball first and VAR agrees!
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 min: No penalty given for Arsenal for handball against Cucurella, but we have certainly seen those given before!
Was the Chelsea defender a little fortunate?
How has Sanchez kept this out? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IsnbhLRIq4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 16, 2025
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne12 min: Long range effort from Rice has Sanchez concerned for a moment but the ball drifts wide.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Pinball in the Chelsea penalty area as Sanchez has to punch the ball off the line. Rice then blazes over the bar.
Cucurella is fuming, claims that he was pushed by Timber, though the Chelsea full-back escapes a penalty shout.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
13:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneI cannot imagine what it must be like playing as a defender in front of Robert Sanchez. He just exudes no sort of confidence or authority.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Oh dear! Sanchez gifts the ball straight to Martinelli but makes amends by keeping out the Brazilian’s effort and manages to secure the ball with Trossard lurking.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: Meanwhile, for Chelsea, Sancho has started on the right and we are used to seeing him out on the left.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: It is interesting that Martinelli has started on the right of Arsenal’s attack this afternoon. We are so used to seeing the Brazilian operating on the opposite flank.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
13:34 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEven when Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer were banging in the goals earlier this season, Enzo Maresca was always talking up their importance to Chelsea’s pressing game. How will it function today without the same athleticism?
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: Another sight of goal for Arsenal as Leandro Trossard scuffs an effort wide. Looked like the Belgian could have taken on a first time effort but he elected to wait.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
13:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Promising start for Arsenal as Myles Lewis-Skelly wins a corner off Wesley Fofana.
Declan Rice swings it in but Timber, at the near post, heads the ball wide.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
13:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePA announcer reading out the teams here: "Congratulations on your first England call-up, Myles Lewis-Skelly." Greeted with a huge cheer.
KICK-OFF!
13:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this London derby!
Here we go!
13:26 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe players have emerged from the tunnel area at the Emirates Stadium and out onto the pitch.
As it stands
13:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA win for Chelsea would not only create some distance between themselves and Manchester City, but also cut the gap to Arsenal to just three points.
The Gunners, meanwhile, are a point clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta speaks
13:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Arsenal manager has been speaking ahead of kick-off!
"It's a massive one" 💪
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 16, 2025
Mikel Arteta says he's excited ahead of a 'massive' London derby against Chelsea 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gDbjRRziKu
Final preparations
13:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKick-off at the Emirates Stadium is less than 10 minutes away...
Chelsea's away form
13:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea have struggled away from home in the Premier League of late. They’ve lost their last three in a row and haven’t tasted victory on the road since their last visit to north London...
Arsenal incentive
13:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Premier League title race looks to be a forgone conclusion but Arsenal can at least keep Liverpool on their toes.
Victory this afternoon and then against Fulham after the international break will cut the gap on the league leaders to nine points before Arne Slot’s side are next in action.
Long-term plan for Lewis-Skelly
13:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta believes Myles Lewis-Skelly’s long-term future at Arsenal could be in midfield - despite earning an England call-up for his performances at left-back.
Lewis-Skelly has broken into the Arsenal first team this season and his displays led to Thomas Tuchel naming the 18-year-old in his first England squad on Friday morning.
The teenager only made his Arsenal debut in September and his rise is all the more remarkable as it has come at left-back.
Lewis-Skelly came through the Gunners’ academy as a midfielder, but injuries and gaps in the squad have seen him moved to full-back.
Why Cole Palmer is absent
13:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea are without Cole Palmer for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal, with Enzo Maresca suggesting the playmaker is likely to be out until after the international break.
Palmer has been ever-present for Chelsea in the league this season, starting each of their first 28 games, and played 45 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute in the Conference League victory over Copenhagen in midweek.
However, an unspecified injury issue means he will play no part at the Emirates in what is a crucial game in the race for the Champions League.
Around the grounds
12:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is one of three games in the Premier League today. There's another London derby between Fulham and Tottenham, whilst Leicester host Manchester United at 7pm.
Chelsea dressing room
12:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium as Chelsea’s dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Arsenal must avoid slipping down the table
12:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWith their title charge over, and a Champions League showdown against Real Madrid on the horizon, it would be easy for Arsenal to take their eye off the ball in the Premier League.
Leaders Liverpool are 15 points clear of them and, even if a win over Chelsea on Sunday would close the gap to 12, the Gunners would only have nine games to rein Arne Slot’s side in.
Indeed, Opta’s supercomputer has Liverpool winning the title in 99.5 per cent of the latest 10,000 season simulations.
Such a scenario could easily lead to Arsenal dropping off and they have already begun to stutter in recent weeks.
Chelsea changes
12:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has also restored his big hitters this afternoon as Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku all start at the Emirates.
Of course, the big absentee is Cole Palmer. More on that as we get it.
Martinelli starts
12:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta, as expected, has restored a number of big names to the Arsenal starting XI this afternoon.
Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard all return having started on the bench against PSV in midweek.
There is also a start for Gabriel Martinelli, his first since the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg away at Newcastle.
Reaction to team news
12:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport’s Simon Collings and Malik Ouzia are in position at the Emirates Stadium and they’ve been discussing today’s team news.
🗣 "One surprise is no Ethan Nwaneri given his form.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) March 16, 2025
"Chelsea have their own attacking issues and the big one is no Cole Palmer."@sr_collings and @MalikOuzia_ gives their thoughts on the Arsenal and Chelsea team news!
LIVE: https://t.co/vK2U6NEMyV#ARSCHE | #AFC | #CFC |… pic.twitter.com/3l3OnctgdS
Chelsea team in full
12:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, James (c), Caicedo, Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Sancho, Nkunku
Subs: Bettinelli, Jorgensen, Tosin, Chalobah, Acheampong, Gusto, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, George
Arsenal team in full
12:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Gabriel, Partey, Odegaard, Rice, Martinelli, Merino, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, White, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Calafiori, Butler-Oyedeji, Nwaneri
Chelsea confirmed XI
12:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is how Chelsea will line up at the Emirates...
Your Chelsea side today! 👊#CFC | #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/G6f0CFtdI1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 16, 2025
Arsenal lineup announced
12:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Arsenal team to face Chelsea...
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2025
💪 Timber at right-back
⚡️ Martinelli on the wing
👟 Merino up top
Let's do this, Gunners 👊
Team news on the way!
12:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTeam news from the Emirates Stadium shortly...
Stay tuned!
Saka latest
12:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta has revealed Bukayo Saka will ramp up his rehabilitation next week as he bids to get fit for Arsenal’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
Saka has been out of action since December after tearing his hamstring and he underwent surgery shortly after.
The winger is progressing well in his recovery and he hopes to be back in action next month after the upcoming international break.
Arsenal have a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid then, with the first leg at Emirates Stadium on April 8 and the reverse fixture in Spain the following week.
Click here for the full story!
Enzo Maresca explains 'big' gap between Chelsea and Arsenal
12:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca believes the gap between Arsenal and Chelsea remains “quite big” due to the fact Mikel Arteta is five years into his project at Emirates Stadium.
The two sides will meet in the Premier League this weekend and, if Chelsea win, they will close the gap on Arsenal to just three points.
Maresca, however, is of the opinion that the Gunners are much further along in their project under Arteta.
The Chelsea boss believes Arsenal have benefitted from Arteta being in the job for over five years, during which time he has transformed them into serial title contenders.
Read Maresca's full quotes here!
Today's setting...
11:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis afternoon's London derby gets underway in just over an hour...
Predicted Chelsea XI
11:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca made six changes for Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League, which booked Chelsea a place in the quarter-finals.
The defence should be revamped for the trip to Arsenal, with Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Wesley Fofana poised to return.
Cole Palmer started on the bench on Thursday night, however he was brought on for the second half.
The attacking midfielder has now gone 10 games without a goal and will be desperate to end that run.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Neto
Predicted Arsenal XI
11:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGabriel Martinelli could make his first start in a month after recovering from a hamstring injury and coming off the bench in the past two games.
Ethan Nwaneri, who was rested on Wednesday, should start out right and Leandro Trossard may lead the line instead of Mikel Merino.
Ben White started against PSV, however he is still building up his fitness after knee surgery in November and so could miss out in place of Jurrien Timber.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was called up by England on Friday for the first time, is competing to start at left-back with Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Trossard, Martinelli
Mikel Arteta pins hope on Arsenal wonderkids
11:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta hopes the rise of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly can be the rebirth of Arsenal having a British core in the squad.
Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have broken into the Arsenal first team this season, with the latter earning a call-up to the England squad on Friday morning.
Arteta is “very proud” of Lewis-Skelly, who is only 18, and believes it is important for Arsenal’s squad to have a core of England players in it.
Sanchez u-turn
11:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has confirmed that Robert Sanchez has regained his place as Chelsea’s Premier League goalkeeper and will start at Arsenal on Sunday.
Sanchez began the season as Chelsea’s goalkeeper in the Premier League and he started the opening 13 games in the competition.
Fellow goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen was tasked with playing in the Europa Conference League, but he usurped Sanchez last month.
Jorgensen started four Premier League games in a row before Sanchez regained his place against Leicester last weekend.
Sanchez kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win and, with Jorgensen starting against Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, the Spaniard will start this weekend when Chelsea head to Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Chelsea latest odds
11:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal to win: 4/5
Draw: 11/4
Chelsea to win: 7/2
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: Head to head (h2h) history and results
11:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal wins: 84
Draws: 60
Chelsea wins: 66
It finished all square in the reverse meeting earlier in the campaign but the Gunners won the corresponding fixture last season 5-0!
⏪ Last time out against Chelsea at home...
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 15, 2025
The Gunners put on a five-star display 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Fqv4j2WVwj
Arsenal vs Chelsea prediction
11:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal were poor in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend, having been brought crashing back down to earth in the Premier League following European success.
Still, Chelsea are unlikely to defend quite as deep as United did, which should help Arteta’s side. It remains difficult to judge the Blues given the quality of their opposition of late and Arsenal are no doubt a huge step up.
Arsenal to win, 2-1.
Chelsea team news: Sanchez to start
11:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCole Palmer shook off the sickness bug to feature off the bench in Thursday night's win over Copenhagen and is expected to start this afternoon.
Robert Sanchez gets the nod in goal, whilst Reece James could get a midfield opportunity once again.
Arsenal team news: Key names to return
11:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta will almost certainly bring all of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Ethan Nwaneri, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard back into the starting lineup after they started the midweek draw with PSV on the bench.
Raheem Sterling is ineligible against Chelsea due to the terms of his loan move from the Blues.
How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea
11:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 1pm GMT ahead of a 1.30pm kick-off.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch via the Sky Go website and app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Free highlights: Highlights of the game will be shown on Match of the Day 2 at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One tonight!
Welcome
11:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Chelsea!
Can the Gunners narrow the gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table to 12 points, or will Chelsea's recent upturn in results continue?
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 1.30pm GMT from the Emirates Stadium. Stick with us!
