Arsenal take on Chelsea this weekend in a blockbuster Premier League clash which could help to define this year’s title race, and Mikel Arteta has provided some team news ahead of the clash.
Arsenal take on Chelsea in mouth-watering Sunday encounter
Arsenal’s emphatic 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening has catapulted the Gunners into Sunday’s London derby with serious momentum.
Arteta’s side complemented their 100 per cent Champions League record with a dominant display that overwhelmed the Bundesliga champions, who were unbeaten in all competitions before their defeat at the Emirates.
It was a massive performance by Arsenal on a real night to remember, but attention now turns immediately to Stamford Bridge, where the league’s top two meet in what represents a genuine six-pointer.
Arsenal arrive at Chelsea’s home ground boasting a formidable recent record against their London rivals.
The north Londoners are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Chelsea, recording five wins and two draws over that mightily impressive run.
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham
Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
Chelsea currently sit six points behind Arsenal, meaning victory for the hosts would reduce that gap to three and reignite their title challenge.
However, a triumph for Arsenal would establish a potentially insurmountable nine-point cushion over their closest challengers, effectively ending Chelsea’s realistic hopes of catching the leaders barring a miracle.
Both sides enter the fixture riding waves of confidence following midweek European statements.
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Chelsea demolished Barcelona 3-0 with teenager Estevao producing a moment of magic to live long in the memory, while Arsenal’s dismantling of Bayern demonstrated their credentials as genuine Champions League contenders.
Captain Martin Odegaard made his long-awaited return from injury after coming on as a late substitute, gifting Arsenal a major boost ahead of Chelsea after both Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli also made their comebacks recently.
Supporters are now waiting for updates on Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard, with the latter subbed off against Bayern after picking up a knock.
Mikel Arteta shares Gabriel injury update out of Arsenal
Now, speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta has provided some news.
Arteta confirms that Gabriel will miss Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea after a further scan, with the Brazilian still not ready to take part.
Being without the “underrated” star for a little while longer is unfortunate, but there is some positive updates.
The Spaniard says that there is a ‘potential chance’ that Trossard could be available to play Chelsea, and refuses to rule out Gyokeres and Havertz playing a part too, with all three subject to late fitness tests.
When asked about Havertz and Gyokeres, Arteta explained:
As things stand, the Arsenal trio all have a chance for the matchday squad tomorrow, it would seem, which comes as a massive boost given their real shortage of attackers in the last two months.
Havertz hasn’t played since the start of the season due to a knee injury, while Gyokeres has been sidelined since Arsenal’s 2-0 win away to Burnley.