predictions, expected line-ups, how to watch and stats

If good things come in threes, Arsenal should be tapped to cap off a great week in style by beating Chelsea on Sunday.

Last weekend they beat neighbors Spurs 4-1 to once again move five points clear at the top of the Premier League and they went on to secure a very favorable Champions League draw.

Arsenal appear to have a clear path to the last four and they are now 7/2 favorites to win European club football’s premier trophy for the first time.

Victory against Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday will complete a hat-trick after the anguish caused by losing a 2-0 lead against Wolves.

Chelsea, who faced holders PSG in the Champions League last 16, must now ensure they return to the tournament next season.

The race to secure Champions League places heats up, with the Blues battling it out against Aston Villa, Manchester United and Liverpool.

How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea

Arsenal v Chelsea kicks off at 4:30 p.m. GMT on Sunday March 1 at the Emirates.

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage from 4:00 p.m.

BBC Radio 5 Live will provide full match commentary.

Arsenal team news

Ben White remains uncertain in defense after picking up a knock against Wigan in the FA Cup and missing the north London derby.

Bukayo Saka had to be replaced against Tottenham after Xavi Simons fell awkwardly on his ankle, but he was moving freely during the post-match celebrations, suggesting the injury is not too serious.

Kai Havertz has missed Arsenal’s last four games with a hamstring injury but is in contention to return against his former club.

Max Dowman made his return from injury in an under-21 match on Friday and was taken off at half-time in what appeared to be a pre-planned substitution.

Mikel Merino is still out and Arteta will have to decide whether to reward Eberechi Eze with another start after his brace against Tottenham.

Expected Arsenal line-up

(4-3-3) Raya; Bois, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokères, Trossard.

Chelsea team news

The Blues will be without Marc Cucurella, Jamie Gittens and Estevao for the derby, all three suffering from hamstring injuries.

Also in defense, Wesley Fofana is suspended for this match following his red card in the 1-1 draw against Burnley.

Levi Colwill remains out for a long time, but Romeo Lavia could be in contention again after playing for the Under-21s last week.

Expected Chelsea line-up

(4-2-3-1) Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Gusto; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernández, Neto; João Pedro.

Arsenal vs Chelsea Stats

– Arsenal have won their last three home league matches against Chelsea, the last winning more consecutively between 1990 and 1994 (5).

– Chelsea are winless in their last eight Premier League matches against Arsenal (D3, L5), their longest since a run of 19 between 1995 and 2005.

– During his second match in charge of Arsenal in December 2019, Mikel Arteta lost 2-1 at the Emirates against Chelsea. Since then, his Gunners team has lost only one of 15 matches against the Blues in all competitions (10 wins, 4 draws).

– Arsenal have lost just one of their last 25 Premier League derby matches in London (W18, D6), a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham last February.

– Only West Ham United (20) have lost more points after winning the Premier League in 2025-26 than Chelsea (19).

– Chelsea have won each of their two away matches in the Premier League under Liam Rosenior so far. Liverpool’s Arne Slot was the last manager to win his first three away matches in the Premier League.

– Chelsea have lost eight of their last nine Premier League away matches against teams starting the day top of the table.

– Chelsea have received six red cards in the Premier League this season, more than any other club and their most in a single season.

Arsenal vs Chelsea Predictions

Arsenal won home and away against Chelsea in their recent Carabao Cup two-legged semi-final and Arteta is expected to get the better of Rosenior again.

The Gunners have a superb record in London derbies and have won 10 of their 13 home games in the Premier League this season, as well as seven of eight in the cup.

They are short at 4/7 but it is possible to head towards the handicaps and move Arsenal -1 back to 6/4.

For a bet on a goalscorer, this is a good opportunity to take advantage of Viktor Gyokeres’ excellent form.

Since his goal against Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, the Swede has scored eight goals in his last 12 matches.

Backing Gyokeres at 7/5 to score at any time, while getting him to score the opener at 9/2 also has merit.