Arsenal vs Chelsea: Preview, Team News, Predicted Lineups, Time and Score Prediction

Arsenal will put their remarkable ten-game unbeaten run against Chelsea on the line this Sunday when the Blues visit the Emirates Stadium.

The stakes are high for both sides, as the Gunners aim to bolster their title aspirations while Chelsea desperately seek to end a frustrating run of home draws against Leeds United and Burnley.

Liam Rosenior's Chelsea make the trip to north London in a precarious position, with their Champions League qualification hopes hanging in the balance.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Currently sixth in the Premier League table with 45 points from 27 matches, the Blues are just three points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

The Gunners have been rebuilding the Emirates into a fortress, winning their last four home matches and scoring eight goals in the process. Impressively, they have kept clean sheets in their last three home fixtures and boast the league's best defensive record, having conceded only 21 goals in 28 games while securing 13 clean sheets.

Arsenal's defensive prowess has been particularly effective against Chelsea, having denied the west Londoners a goal in their last three encounters at the Emirates. The last league meeting between the two rivals at Stamford Bridge in November ended in a fiery 1-1 draw, where Mikel Merino cancelled out Trevoh Chalobah's opener and Moises Caicedo was sent off.

Mikel Arteta's side enters the match brimming with confidence following a dominant 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. The win, which featured goals from summer signings Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres, highlighted the attacking firepower and tactical discipline that has propelled Arsenal to the top of the table.

Eze's performance was particularly noteworthy, as his brace made him the first Arsenal player in 90 years to score five goals against Spurs in a single season. The 27-year-old midfielder, a signing from Crystal Palace, has developed a reputation for tormenting his north London rivals, and his latest double took his tally to five goals in just two league appearances against them this term.

Bukayo Saka is expected to be available for Arsenal after limping off during the North London Derby while Kai Havertz also could return, but Ben White (knock) is more of a doubt, while Max Dowman, who played in an Under-21s friendly on Friday, will likely not be involved.

Martin Odegaard was a second-half substitute last weekend after shaking off a knee issue, but Eze could be selected ahead of him.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's squad is stretched thin by injuries and suspension. Wesley Fofana is unavailable after his red card last weekend, and he joins Marc Cucurella, Jamie Gittens, Levi Colwill, and Filip Jorgensen on the sidelines.

However, Reece James is expected to be fit, and Romeo Lavia could return to the lineup after being an unused substitute recently.

The match will kick off at 7.30 PM East African time and will be live on SuperSport TV.

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Gusto; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has voiced more concern over facing Chelsea than he did for the North London derby against Tottenham, but his worries may be unfounded. The Gunners rediscovered their ruthless form in their victory over Spurs and appear to be back to their best.

In contrast, an injury-plagued Chelsea side has struggled to hold onto leads this season, dropping the second-most points from winning positions in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. Consequently, even if the visitors manage to score first, Arsenal's resilience should see them through to claim the victory.