Chelsea vs Arsenal. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Chelsea FC will host Arsenal FC in the English Premier League 9th round match at the Stamford Bridge Stadium. The fixture will take place on Saturday, October 21, beginning at 22:00 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Chelsea News & Current Form: 

Last season Chelsea failed to live up to fans’ expectations and finished on a disappointing 12th place in the Premier League. Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as head coach this summer in an attempt to regain the former success of the club, but despite the active work on the transfer market, the results are still insignificant.

The club has had a poor start to the Premier League campaign. In eight EPL matches Chelsea won only against teams from the bottom of the standings – Luton Town FC (3:0), Fulham FC (2:0) and Burnley FC (4:1).

Despite the fact that Wilson Odobert put the Clarets ahead, an auto-goal by Ameen Al-Dakhil, a penalty converted by Cole Palmer and accurate strikes by Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson gave the Londoners back their confidence in their own strength.

Before that, the Blues drew with Liverpool FC (1:1) and AFC Bournemouth (0:0). They lost to West Ham United FC (1:3), Nottingham Forest FC (0:1) and Aston Villa FC (0:1). There was also a victory over Brighton and Hove Albion FC in the Carabao Cup and thus the team from London reached the fourth round of the championship (1:0).

Two consecutive wins in the championship slightly improved the club’s position in the EPL table before the international break. Mauricio Pochettino’s side moved up to 11th place with 11 points.

Compared to last season, the Aristocrats are making progress, all thanks to the new coach. The Argentine has noticeably improved the team’s pattern. Players began to possess the ball more often, attack more, and also less often lose points in matches with outsiders.

If at the beginning of the campaign the Aristocrats suffered from low realization, now they easily crack the opponents’ defense and achieve results. It is worth noting that in none of the previous 8 matches has the club met the number of expected goals scored (xG).

There are two Chelsea players, Sterling and Jackson, who are among the top 5 EPL players in terms of the highest number of progressive passes received. This is a clear marker that the Blues are characterized by an incredible ability to generate powerful pressure on the opposition’s goal. Perhaps Arsenal, unbeaten up to this point, will not be able to cope with such an onslaught.

It is worth noting that the club has been haunted by a huge number of injuries since last season. Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are out for a long period of time. 

Top scorer of Chelsea FC – Raheem Sterling

Armando Broja and Axel Disasi have certain problems. On the bright side, Blues captain Reece James may recover in time for the derby with Arsenal. It is expected that he will be able to help his team on Saturday.

Promising winger Cole Palmer, who moved from Manchester City in the summer, scored a goal and an assist in the last round, so he will surely be in the starting lineup on Saturday – as well as Sterling (3 goals), midfielders Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. 

Mykhaylo Mudryk is also certain to play. He finally broke his goal drought and started to improve little by little. In the last four matches in all tournaments (including qualification games for UEFA EURO 2024), the Ukrainian midfielder has scored two goals, previously he could not score in 23 games.

Arsenal player Oleksandr Zinchenko threatened his compatriot. He said that he will punish Mudryk if he scores in the upcoming match. However, it is highly unlikely that the midfielder will be able to distinguish himself this time, two goals he scored to obvious underdogs Fulham and Malta.

Arsenal News & Current Form: 

Last season, Mikel Arteta’s men were leading for a long time, but in the final part of the season they lost their advantage and finished only in second place in the standings. However, in the current campaign, the Londoners are ready to compete on all fronts. 

Arsenal strengthened the squad in the summer. They signed Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, as well as David Raya, who is gradually becoming the main goalkeeper for the club. 

The Gunners started the season with a FA Community Shield victory over Manchester City, and in the Premier League they are still undefeated (6 wins and 2 draws) and are currently in 2nd position in the standings with the same number of points as leading Tottenham Hotspur FC.

In October, Arsenal drew 2:2 with Spurs at home, then beat Bournemouth (0:4) and, most importantly, Manchester City in the last round (1:0) thanks to a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli. Speaking of the Premier League, it was the Gunners’ first win over the Citizens since December 2015. 

In the UEFA Champions League, the Reds shone against PSV Eindhoven (4:0) before losing to RC Lens (2:1). The defeat was caused primarily by an injury to Bukayo Saka, who was substituted in the 34th minute.

Author of the winning goal in the clash against Manchester City – Gabriel Martinelli

Saka, the player who is the first to score 5+5 in goal+pass scheme in a season among players from the top-five leagues, may recover in time for the match against Chelsea. This only adds to the confidence that Arsenal will defeat the Blues.

The visitors are also still missing key Dutch defender Timber, who was injured in the first leg. The participation of William Saliba, who refused a call-up to the French national team due to an injury, is also in doubt. 

But even if Arteta will put them in this match, it is unlikely that they will be able to show the maximum of their abilities. In addition, the players need to save their strength before the away game with Sevilla FC in the Champions League.

Leandro Trossard played 45 minutes against the Citizens and was substituted, so the Belgian is unlikely to appear on the pitch from the first minute. After his performance at the Emirates, Martinelli could be in the starting lineup along with his compatriot Gabriel Jesus. In midfield, summer recruit Declan Rice and team captain Martin Odegaard will take their places. 

Head-to-head confrontation of these teams in recent times is logically in favor of the Gunners. Arsenal have beaten Chelsea for three matches in a row, and three more times in a row won at Stamford Bridge. The Blues haven’t beaten Arsenal at home in more than five years, since August of 2018. 

Although since then they managed to win twice away, as well as being stronger with a resounding score of 4:1 in the final of the UEFA Europa League of the season-2018/2019. However, the current version of Chelsea is so much weaker than the then version that even results like winning the Europa League seem like something fantastic.

Chelsea form guide: L-D-L-W-W-W

Arsenal form guide: W-D-W-W-L-W

Chelsea vs Arsenal Head-To-Head Record:

• August 22, 2021: Arsenal 0 – 2 Chelsea (Premier League);
• April 20, 2022: Chelsea 2 – 4 Arsenal (Premier League);
• November 6, 2022: Chelsea 0 – 1 Arsenal (Premier League);
• May 2, 2023: Arsenal 3 – 1 Chelsea (Premier League).

Chelsea vs Arsenal Predicted XI:

Chelsea’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.

Arsenal’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.

Statistical preview of the match Chelsea vs Arsenal:

• Chelsea’s First XI average age is 24.8 years, Arsenal’s First XI average age is 25.6 years.
• The total value of Chelsea’s squad is 999 mln euros, while Arsenal’s is 1.10 bln euros.
• Chris Kavanagh has been appointed as the center referee. The referee has already served six games this season, showing an average of 2.33 Yellow Cards and also whistles 20.17 fouls per game. 
• In the last 5 games, Arsenal conceded an average of 0.80 goals per game and scored an average of 1.80 goals per game.
• In the last 5 games, Chelsea conceded an average of 0.40 goals per game and scored an average of 1.40 goals per game.
• Arsenal have won 6 of their last 7 matches against Chelsea.
• Chelsea have won only one of their last 11 EPL home matches (5 draws, 5 losses).
• Arsenal haven’t lost in their last 9 EPL matches (7 wins, 2 draws).
• Arsenal have failed to score in only one of their last 11 EPL away matches.
• In 5 of Chelsea’s previous 6 EPL matches, one of the teams has failed to score.
• Chelsea have just 1 win in their last 11 home league games (5 draws and 5 defeats).
• Arsenal have won in their last 3 away games in the championship. They have not conceded a single goal in this series.

What has been said before the match:

Gaffer of the Aristocrats Mauricio Pochettino about his friendship with Mikel Arteta and being to play against him:

“When you connect with a person like Mikel Arteta, we share the values and we share the passion of football. He has been part of my family from day one when he arrived in Paris. It’s going to be really nice because my love for him is there. He’s more than a friend, he’s family, and in that way it’s going to be strange but I think at some point I will feel proud to see him and compete with him.”

“When you are coaching at Arsenal and you are showing what the team is showing it is because he’s one of the best. Young or not young, he’s showing that he’s one of the best coaches in the world today.”

“Arsenal are a contender to win everything, not only the Premier League but the Champions League, and I think they are doing a fantastic job and it’s going to be tough. But also we are confident that we can give our best and play a very good game.”

“I prefer the tough fixtures. It’s easier to prepare for this type of game because the players are motivated, we are so motivated, and the fans are going to help us. No-one assumes Chelsea are going to win 3:0 tomorrow.”

“We are thinking of winning tomorrow, with respect to Arsenal, which is a great team. It’s going to be tough because they are doing a great job. A very good squad, very good team, they are playing so well.”

Mikel Arteta, head coach of the Gunners, ahead of the EPL clash with Chelsea:

“During a good run you want to continue but it is what it is. We had to use it in the right way. Obviously we have a lot of players on duty and now we connect everybody with the same mindset and go because we’re going to have a really difficult game against Chelsea.”

“It’s a big game and we know that there is a big history between the two clubs and the type of games we have played against them. It’s a very different one I think. This season, I’ve been really impressed by Chelsea, they deserve much more than what they’ve got on the table. I think what Mauricio has done in such a short time is phenomenal and we’re going to have to be at our best tomorrow.”

“I think when you look first of all at the managing and coaching staff they have, the history of the club that they have, the players and the squad they have, it’s going to happen. I think it has happened pretty quickly, not only in the last three results but I think they deserved much more in terms of results and points than what they already have, so I can see that they’re going to be up there.”

Chelsea vs Arsenal Prediction:

The cherry on the top of the EPL cake appears to be the London derby, where a presumably revitalized Chelsea take on the Gunners. Presumably, as their recent successes came against the likes of Burnley and Fulham. Victory over Brighton in the cup looks more convincing, but even so there is a hindering factor interfering with the real picture – there were mutual rotations in the line-ups. It is definitely not worth boasting about such victories, but they gave Pochettino’s team the much-needed confidence. Especially since in the EPL the victories were achieved away.

This season, there was only 1 serious challenge for the Aristocrats in the opening round at Stamford Bridge, where they gave a decent fight to resurgent Liverpool, who struggled at that time. Aston Villa and West Ham United, who were victorious 0-1 and 3-1 respectively, are also worth mentioning. Supposedly, Chelsea have reached a stage where they can beat the outsiders, they can give good fights to the upper-side teams, but how to win when approaching the match as an underdog is a big question. There are still a lot of personnel complexities in the team and Chelsea’s starting line-up is fairly young and raw, no much experience of coping with pressure and lack of character will let down the Pensioners as the season progresses. Even the seemingly young Arsenal look like an experienced and well-rounded team, and with that, they have had their ups and downs, evolving together during the shared road.

The Gunners are expecting a difficult trip to Stamford Bridge, but the home field factor is easily offset by the stats trend of recent head-to-head meetings: the Blues have suffered four consecutive defeats. At the same time, the form of the players from the Red side of London inspires optimism. Mikel Arteta and Co. earned a long-awaited victory over their “big brother” Man City, with the international break giving the players plenty of time to rest after such a grueling encounter. 

In the London derby we expect a close contest, not a large number of goals and Arsenal’s rise to the top of the EPL at the final whistle. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Arsenal will not lose and the total of the match will be less than 4.5 – Yes.

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