Arsenal will host Chelsea in the standout fixture of Gameweek 28 of the 2025/26 Premier League season, with both sets of managers eager to build momentum.

Arsenal calmed their nerves last weekend when they put in a thorough performance away at Tottenham and secured an emphatic 4-1 win; their reward will be another tricky London Derby, this time against Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both scored a brace each to deliver a big response from the team, who had dropped points via consecutive draws with Brentford and Wolves before that. With Manchester City winning against Newcastle United last weekend, the pressure was on Mikel Arteta’s side to restore their five-point advantage at the top.

Pep Guardiola’s men still have a game in hand over the Gunners, and they have once again played their weekend fixture before the North Londoners take on Chelsea, beating Leeds United 1-0 at Elland Road.

Nevertheless, Arteta’s primary focus will be on retaining that five-point advantage for as long as possible, which points towards Arsenal needing a win against Chelsea. The Gunners have played the Blues three times already this season, winning both their EFL Cup semi-final legs while drawing at Stamford Bridge in the league. A win on Sunday would be a massive boost to their title challenge.

On the other hand, Liam Rosenior must have learnt a lot over the two games he has presided over against Arsenal since being appointed Chelsea’s newest head coach. While he has not managed to outclass Arteta in those games, the Englishman will hope to get one over the Spaniard at the third time of asking.

Chelsea are under severe pressure following the release of UEFA’s financial report, which shows a substantial loss made by the club. Hence, UEFA Champions League football next season remains the paramount objective for the Blues, who have suffered a blow in recent weeks owing to their failure to beat newly promoted sides.

First, it was away at Leeds United, where they squandered a two-goal advantage to allow the hosts to snatch a draw. Then last weekend, Chelsea failed to build on their early lead and squandered multiple chances to increase their advantage. Wesley Fofana’s second-half red card proved vital as Burnley snatched a late equaliser, which came as a blow for Rosenior and his team’s quest to finish in the top five.

Team News & Tactics

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is currently blessed with a large squad with minimal injury issues to deal with. Mikel Merino is the only confirmed absentee, with the Spaniard expected to miss the remainder of the campaign with a foot fracture. Kai Havertz is still a doubt, but the Arsenal boss has insisted he might train before the game, which does give hope that the German could make the matchday squad.

Martin Odegaard returned to action last weekend, which gives Arteta a selection choice to make for the No. 10 role. With Eberechi Eze performing exceedingly well, it is safe to assume the England international might start this clash against Chelsea, with the skipper a firm option off the bench.

Arteta is not expected to make any changes barring any late injuries, as the Arsenal might retain the same back four against Chelsea, including Jurrien Timber and the impressive Piero Hincapie in the full-back roles. Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are the starting midfielders for this clash, with Eze playing the advanced role.

Bukayo Saka will continue on the right wing for the Gunners, while Arteta will prefer to use Leandro Trossard on the other flank. After an impressive all-round showing away at Spurs, Gyokeres is the man to lead the line for Arsenal against Chelsea this weekend.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres

Chelsea

Liam Rosenior has a few selection problems to deal with, largely owing to injuries and suspensions. The Chelsea boss did confirm that Reece James is fit for action, meaning the skipper will start the game in his customary right-back role.

The left-back choice is one of the main issues facing Rosenior owing to Marc Cucurella’s absence with a hamstring problem. Jorrel Hato is an option there, but the English tactician might prefer to use Malo Gusto instead.

Similarly, Fofana’s suspension for this game will force Rosenior to choose between Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile to replace the Frenchman and play alongside Trevoh Chalobah at the heart of the defence. He might go with the former owing to his experience, while Josh Acheampong is also an option to consider, although the young defender might be kept on the bench as a deputy for James.

Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos have been Rosenior’s preferred midfield double pivot, with Enzo Fernandez playing in the advanced role. Estevao Willian is likely to be absent for this short trip, meaning star man Cole Palmer will once again play on the right, while Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto will complete the front three setup.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Gusto; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro

Key Stats

• Arsenal have won their last five home matches against Chelsea in all competitions. The Gunners have kept a clean sheet in their last three home matches against Chelsea in all competitions.
• Chelsea are unbeaten in the Premier League since Liam Rosenior took over.
• Chelsea are winless in their last ten meetings with Arsenal across all competitions.
• Arsenal have lost just one of their last 25 Premier League London derby matches (W18 D6), a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham last February. Since the start of 2022/23, the Gunners have scored in all but two of 44 London derby games, both against West Ham United (0-2 in December 2023, 0-1 in February 2025).
• Chelsea have lost eight of their last nine away Premier League matches against sides starting the day top of the table, winning the other 2-1 against Manchester City in May 2021. They have played nine away top-flight games against Arsenal when the Gunners are top and won one (D2 L6), a 2-0 win in March 1948.

Player to Watch

Eberechi Eze

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Eze had a fantastic outing against Spurs away from home last Sunday, and many were quick to point out his dip in performance before then. In fact, since his hat-trick against Tottenham back in November, this was the first time he scored in the league, but can those exploits help him build momentum for the next one?

The Englishman will know there is intense competition for places in his role at the moment, especially with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz nearing full fitness. Eze is likely to keep his place against Chelsea, and a big performance against another London rival may go a long way to establishing him as the main attacking threat in the team moving forward.

Prediction

Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

Liam Rosenior has faced Arsenal twice since taking over at Chelsea, as he used two different approaches against the Gunners in those games and failed. The Chelsea boss will hope his team gives him a different result at the third time of asking, but this might be one of the most challenging games for him this season in the Premier League.

Arsenal are expected to hit a new gear, unlike their most recent performance against the Blues in the Carabao Cup semi-final. The Gunners have momentum on their side and the pressure to keep themselves with a relevant lead at the top, which could see Mikel Arteta’s side secure three points, although they may not manage to keep a clean sheet.