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Chelsea: Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Nkunku; Neto.
Flo Clifford16 March 2025 12:13
How to watch on TV
The match will kick off at 1.30pm GMT at the Emirates Stadium today, Sunday 16 March.
Arsenal v Chelsea will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League TV channels.
Flo Clifford16 March 2025 12:07
Arteta expecting intense clash with Chelsea
A three-match winless run has left second-placed Arsenal 15 points behind Liverpool as the title race slips away from them and the north London side are now looking over their shoulder with Nottingham Forest and Sunday's opponents Chelsea catching up.
Chelsea are fourth, six points behind Arsenal ahead of the London derby at Emirates Stadium, where the west London side lost 5-0 last season, but Arteta said this time they play a much changed squad under Enzo Maresca.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
"It's two teams that want to be very dominant in their way of playing, very aggressive in the high press and the way we have to have the ball," Arteta said.
"There is a lot of individual quality on that pitch, so it's about imposing what you want in the direction you want to take the game and keep them very far from their strengths, that's going to be key."
Mikel Arteta is anticipating a fierce battle with Chelsea (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere16 March 2025 11:47
Arteta bats away talk of Real Madrid
Arsenal are very excited to play reigning champions Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals next month but they will not be distracted from their Premier League duties as they shift their focus to Chelsea, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.
Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate to earn a quarter-final spot against 15-times winners Real Madrid, a team they have played only once before in the competition, knocking the Spanish side out over two legs in the last 16 en route to the 2006 final.
"Fascinating draw, we play the club with the biggest history in the competition," Arteta told reporters.
"Very excited to play against them, but before that we have some big matches in the Premier League."
Lawrence Ostlere16 March 2025 11:31
Chelsea line up deal for Sporting's Geovany Quenda
Some transfer news, in case you missed it this week: Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda.
The 17-year-old, who was reportedly a target for Manchester United, will remain in Portugal throughout the rest of this season and next before moving to London in 2026.
He has made 52 senior appearances for Sporting and made his Champions League debut in September.
Able to play on the right wing and at wing-back, he joins a list of teenagers set to join up with the club in the coming years with deals also having been struck for 17-year-old Brazilian Estevao Willian and 17-year-old Ecuadorian Kendry Paez, with both set to move in July.
Geovany Quenda is set to join Chelsea (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere16 March 2025 11:16
Sanchez set to start in goal for Chelsea
Robert Sanchez is set to start in goal after winning his place back for the win over Leicester.
He had previously missed four league games in a row following a series of errors but after understudy Filip Jorgensen played against Copenhagen, Maresca said Sanchez is his pick for the Emirates Stadium clash.
"I think Robert needed some days off or at least rest mentally," said Maresca.
"He's back and hopefully we are not going to change until the end (of the season)."
Robert Sanchez has endured a tricky season so far (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere16 March 2025 11:02
Maresca: Chelsea can flex tactics to beat Arsenal
"The intention will be that (to control the ball)," he said.
So if we plan the game (against Arsenal) sitting back and wait, sure our strikers and wingers are going to do 20 sprints for 60, 70 minutes.
"When you play most of your game in the opposite side, there is not space to do that kind of sprint.
"Our plan is to control the game but it's a team that is going to press high and try to be aggressive, and probably we will have more space to attack in behind."
Lawrence Ostlere16 March 2025 10:45
Maresca: Chelsea can flex tactics to beat Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said his team are capable of hurting Arsenal on the break if forced to break from their rigid tactics in today’s meeting at the Emirates.
Recent displays have seen a commitment to a slower, positional way of playing, despite the last four games having been against weaker opposition on paper, with the team under instruction from Maresca not to move the ball forward too quickly.
It has led to audible frustration from supporters during 1-0 home wins against Copenhagen in the Conference League and in the Premier League against Leicester, whilst the away leg against the Danish side was also a slow, stolid affair.
Maresca has repeatedly said he will substitute players who do not adhere to his style, even as fans have increasingly voiced their displeasure with the way their team are playing.
Yet ahead of the meeting with second-place Arsenal, he admitted his side could be forced to be flexible.
Enzo Maresca is plotting a victory over Arsenal at the Emirates (Zac Goodwin/PA) (PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere16 March 2025 10:31
Arsenal v Chelsea – predicted line-ups
Here is a look at how the two teams could line up this afternoon.
Chelsea: Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Nkunku; Neto.
Lawrence Ostlere16 March 2025 10:17
Arsenal v Chelsea – team news
Arteta is set to bring back several players who were benched in midweek against PSV.
For more news relating to Manchester United, visit our sister site MUFC Live.
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