Premier League | Gameweek 11

Nov 10, 2024 at 4.30pm UK

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs Arsenal

Match preview

Facing a team that was formed five years after winning their first Champions League in 2012, Chelsea gave Armenian minnows FC Noah a rude awakening on Thursday night, scoring an extraordinary eight goals in the English capital.

One of six teams in the Conference to have won each of their opening three games, Chelsea's astonishing 8-0 triumph on 7 November unsurprisingly puts them at the top of the table on goal difference as they chase the continental crown that has so far eluded their visitors.

From a rude awakening to Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Blues needed a touch of Ecuadorian inspiration to avoid losing to the Dutchman's Manchester United side at Old Trafford last weekend, where a Bruno Fernandes penalty came just four minutes before Moises Caicedo's exquisite volley.

One of three teams on 18 points from a possible 30, along with Arsenal and Aston Villa, the fourth-placed Blues could end the weekend in the top three if they can improve on Nottingham Forest's result against Newcastle United, and Maresca's men are now on an eight-match unbeaten run at home in all competitions.

The Blues are yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet at Stamford Bridge this season - six since beating West Ham United in May - but Arsenal have hardly been a tree in front of goal in the early part of November.

Whether it was St James' Park or the San Siro, the result was the same for Arsenal: a 1-0 defeat with little to no attacking inspiration. After succumbing to a brilliant Alexander Isak header against Newcastle United, it was a controversial Hakan Calhanoglu penalty that made the difference on Wednesday night.

In a way, Arsenal's defeat at the hands of Inter Milan could be described as a game of noughts and crosses, with Mikel Arteta's men attempting a staggering 46 crosses at the San Siro, only to see them all go to waste as they slumped to their first continental defeat of the 2024-25 season.

The Halloween period, which also saw the shock resignation of much-admired sporting director Edu, has been one big horror show for Arteta and co, with a three-game winless streak in the Premier League leaving the Gunners fifth in the table and seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

However, for the first time since the 1994-95 season - before most of Arsenal's current players were even born - the Gunners have gone three consecutive Premier League away games without scoring a goal, and the capital is where they excel, having won their last six London derbies by an aggregate score of 22-3.

That run includes a 5-0 thrashing of Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea in the second half of last season, albeit after being held to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, although that four-goal stalemate made it five games without defeat at the Blues' west London home.

Recent Performance

Chelsea Premier League form:WWDLWD

Chelsea form (all competitions):LWWLDW

Arsenal Premier League form:DWWLDL

Arsenal form (all competitions):LWDWLL

Team News

Chelsea boss Maresca made his usual 11 changes in midweek, with Cole Palmer missing after being overlooked for the Conference League game, but the Blues sensation is still feeling the effects of last weekend's tackle by Lisandro Martinez.

Maresca is keeping his fingers crossed that Palmer, who has been called up to the England squad, can make a speedy return to the first XI this weekend, but Jadon Sancho is also a doubt with a knock and illness, while Omari Kellyman (hamstring) is out.

No player in the Premier League has had more direct involvement this season than Palmer with 12 - seven goals and five assists - but Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix have both argued that he should be replaced with braces.

Speaking of influential English midfielders who have their managers sweating, Arsenal's Declan Rice - who spent seven years in the Chelsea academy system - is still a doubt for this crunch clash because of a foot injury, thought to be a broken toe.

It was one in, one out for the Gunners' medical team in midweek, as Martin Odegaard made his long-awaited return from an ankle injury as a late substitute, and Arteta should have no qualms about throwing him back into the side amid his side's creativity crisis.

However, former Blue Kai Havertz will need a once-over after a nasty clash with Inter's Yann Bisseck on Wednesday, while Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) will not return after the international break. Raheem Sterling has also been ruled out against his parent club.

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Jorginho, Partey; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli