Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title continues as they host Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, looking to lay down another marker after a resounding victory away at Tottenham Hotspur in their last fixture.
The Gunners have a five-point lead over chasers Manchester City, who also won their last game, beating Newcastle United 2-1 at the Etihad. The Citizens travel to West Yorkshire this weekend, where they’ll face relegation-threatened Leeds United.
The emphatic result at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will have restored Arteta’s faith in his team’s ability to march towards the title, although they now encounter another London rival who will be keen on preventing this from materialising.
That said, Arteta will be confident of securing all three points against Chelsea – the Gunners’ recent record against the Blues is excellent. The West Londoners haven’t beaten Arsenal since 2021, when Thomas Tuchel’s side eased past the North Londoners at the Emirates.
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 03/02/2026 | Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea | Carabao Cup |
| 14/02/2026 | Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal | Carabao Cup |
| 30/11/2025 | Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 16/03/2025 | Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 10/11/2024 | Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 23/04/2024 | Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea | Premier League |
Arsenal team news vs Chelsea, Kai Havertz injury update
Bukayo Saka limped off during the second half of Arsenal’s clash with Spurs, although this withdrawal is understood to be precautionary.
Meanwhile, Ben White missed the North London Derby entirely, and it’s not yet been made clear whether or not the right-back will be involved against Chelsea. Mikel Merino remains sidelined with a foot injury, while Max Dowman isn’t expected to make the matchday squad on Sunday.
Arteta provided an update on Kai Havertz in his press conference on Friday afternoon. The German has been unavailable since Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Sunderland earlier this month, but could now be in line for a return.
“We are waiting until tomorrow to find out if we have one or two (more) available from last week,” the Gunners boss revealed.
“Max [Dowman] will play some minutes today with the U21s, Kai will train tomorrow, so let’s see.”
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Chelsea
Arsenal have had a full week off for the first time since mid-December, and thus, Arteta’s players should be well-rested and raring to go. While Brighton await on Wednesday, it’s unlikely that the Spaniard names his team with that affair in mind.
David Raya, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are automatic starters in almost every game, and that should remain the case in this one, assuming all three are fit. At right-back, given Arteta’s coy response on White’s availability in his press conference, it’s safe to presume that Jurrien Timber will start again, despite the Dutchman showing obvious signs of fatigue in recent matches.
Piero Hincapie was outstanding against Spurs, and thus, should retain his place at left-back. Riccardo Calafiori will be an option off the bench if needed, while Myles Lewis-Skelly could miss out on the squad if the likes of Havertz and White are available.
In midfield, Arteta is unlikely to waver from his faith in Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, who continue to be ever-present figures at the heart of this Arsenal team. Ahead of them, Paul Merson believes Eberechi Eze should retain his place, and he likely will after scoring twice against Tottenham.
Similarly, Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka should start after both thriving last Sunday, while Leandro Trossard is unlikely to be dropped despite frustrtaing fans with his display in N17.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Arsenal vs Chelsea Prediction
Arsenal’s win over Spurs will have been a huge morale boost for Arteta’s side, and thus, it’s difficult to envisage a world in which they don’t beat a struggling Chelsea team. Liam Rosenior’s men were held by Burnley in their last fixture, while they also failed to beat Leeds before that.
The English head coach has reignited what had become something of a stale Chelsea attack under Enzo Maresca, but this has come at the detriment to their defence. The Blues have posted some of the worst underlying defensive numbers in the league since Rosenior’s appointment, and Arsenal can certainly exploit this vulnerable backline.
If Arsenal are able to restrict Chelsea to scoring fewer than two goals, they should be able to claim all three points.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
