Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview
Mikel Arteta has effusively praised Mikel Merino’s value as a number nine as the Arsenal head coach plots a victory at Chelsea on Sunday that would put the leaders at least seven points clear in the Premier League.
Amid a series of attacking injuries, midfielder Merino has thrived as a striker again in 2025/26, acting as a target in Arsenal’s 3-1 Champions League home win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday and scoring twice in the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague on November 4.
“He could have scored two goals the other night,” Arteta said of the Spain international. “He was involved in many positive actions and his work rate was incredible.
“He brings other things to the table: his intelligence, the way he competes, the way he masters a lot of things that are crucial for us.”
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Chelsea achieved one of their best results since the appointment of Enzo Maresca in June 2024 by beating Barcelona 3-0 at home on Tuesday, including goals from 18-year-old Estevao and Liam Delap, scoring his first career Champions League goal.
“It’s always nice to share this kind of moment at the end of the match with everyone,” Maresca said of the celebrations, calling the prospect of stopping Arsenal “enjoyable” and a “different challenge”.
“We have to plan against Arsenal in a different way. Arsenal can score against any team from set pieces – against Bayern Munich they scored their first from a corner.
“They have a system that works very well and we will try to defend in the best way. It is very early and it is important to be where we are now in March, April.”
Chelsea vs Arsenal team news
Viktor Gyokeres (hamstring) and Kai Havertz (knee) are “very, very close” to returning for Arsenal, Arteta has said, but compatriot Leandro Trossard is doubtful after defeat to Bayern.
Striker Gabriel Jesus is back in training but may not yet be in contention after 11 months out with a knee injury and centre-back Gabriel remains out with a thigh injury picked up while playing for Brazil in a friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium.
Full-back Riccardo Calafiori missed Italy’s two matches during the international break with a hip problem but came off the bench against Bayern, while Arteta suggested Piero Hincapie – a debutant at centre-back in Sunday’s 4-1 home win over Tottenham – could play at left-back.
Playmaker Cole Palmer could start for Chelsea, having been sidelined since September with groin and toe injuries.
Midfielder Romeo Lavia is out and defender Levi Colwill and midfielder Dario Essugo are out with long-term injuries.
Predicted line-ups Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Estevao, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto
Arsenal starting lineup: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal: TV channel, live stream online
Kick-off on Sunday will be at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a one-day subscription, £28 per month for a 12-month subscription or £34.99 per month without a contract.
Sky Sports subscriptions include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live broadcasts and a dedicated channel.
Streaming is available on a wide variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
