Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview: Prediction, time, team news and H2H

Ayomikun Elemikan Sports 21/10/2023

Chelsea play hosts to Arsenal in the London derby later this evening in a 2023/24 Premier League matchday nine encounter.

It is, of course, the star match of the weekend and it will go down at the Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea welcome Arsenal to the Stamford Bridge this Saturday (Image: The Independent)

Both teams meet after the international break but we cannot quickly forget their performances in the previous matchday.

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Chelsea and Arsenal recorded victories prior to the short break. Chelsea triumphed 4-1 over Burnley – their best match so far this season while the Gunners defeated Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side were impressive enough to secure all three points after a late Gabriel Martinelli deflected goal.

The Blues are beginning to show promising signs under Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino. They recorded two successive wins before the international break.

Arsenal players celebrate a goal (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

However, Arsenal will offer Chelsea their toughest test so far as the Gunners remain one of two undefeated teams in the Premier League.

The encounter promises to be a fascinating one as the fixture over the years have entertained fans of both sides. Arsenal, in the past two seasons, have looked so much like a revolutionized side under Arteta.

Their challenge for last season’s title was their closest in over a decade. They fumbled at the death, allowing Manchester City take advantage and win yet another league trophy.

Date, kick-off time and venue

The Chelsea-Arsenal game scheduled for 5.30pm WAT/GMT+1 kick-off time today, Saturday 21 October, 2023.

Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club, will host the match.

Chelsea vs Arsenal team news

Reece James and Bukayo Saka face late fitness tests. James have been out since the start of the season while Saka have experienced injury in the past few games. Axel Disasi also faces a late fitness test.

Bukayo Saka (L) and Reece James (R) will face late fitness tests ahead of the game between Chelsea and Arsenal (Image: iNews)

£100m midfielders Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are fit to play.

Summer signing Romeo Lavia remains unfit with his Chelsea debut day yet unknown. Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Christopher Nkunku are also on the treatment table.

For Arsenal, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, and Saka pulled out of their international squads with injuries. The trio face late fitness tests.

Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli could start against the Blues after his heroics against City.

Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction

To put it straight, Arsenal are simply the better team here.

Chelsea will face a tough encounter against Arsenal in their London derby this evening (Image: Chelsea Football Club)

Chelsea are indeed improving judging by their recent performances which is a good sign but Arsenal are more favoured things to emerge winners in this fixture.

Arsenal to win 3-1.