Arsenal v Chelsea preview
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called Viktor Gyokeres “incredible” and said the striker is “on the right trajectory” as the Sweden international targets more goals when Chelsea visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Gyokeres has frequently faced criticism since his £54.8 million arrival from Sporting in July, but the 27-year-old is on a run of eight goals in 12 matches in all competitions, including two in the 4-1 win at arch-rivals Tottenham last Sunday.
“That’s a question for him,” Arteta said when he was asked whether Gyokeres has doubted himself. “I know the demands he’s put on himself, the expectations he has to help the team.
“I’m confident because I ask our defenders a lot of times, when they have to train against our players, how [they] feel about that.
“That’s a really good way to understand the quality of a player or how it is to defend against them.”
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has overseen two defeats to Arsenal in the EFL Cup since being appointed on January 6, losing 3-2 away and 1-0 at home.
“There was a really, really good structure about us without the ball,” Rosenior reflected on those games, adding that he had worked with his players for four days before the first leg and faced greater injury concerns for that tie than he has now.
“With the ball, maybe we could have been more front-footed in terms of going out to win the game. We didn’t get the result we wanted and we want to change that on Sunday.
“I worked with Viktor with Brighton’s Under-23 team and saw him come through to the first team there [in 2018]. He adds a degree of physicality and pace to stretch the game in behind.
“He’s starting to build his confidence and showing he can score goals, which is what every striker wants to do.”
Arsenal v Chelsea team news
Rosenior said influential Chelsea wideman Reece James is “absolutely fine”, while midfielder Romeo Lavia is nearing a return to playing action after serving as an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw at home to Burnley last Saturday.
Full-back Marc Cucurella and wingers Willian Estevao and Jamie Gittens have hamstring injuries and midfielder Dario Essugo has returned to training following a thigh issue.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is a doubt with a knock and defender Wesley Fofana is suspended after being sent off against the Clarets. Centre-back Levi Colwill is progressing well in his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato are among the candidates to deputise at the back.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is recovering from foot surgery. Forward Kai Havertz is a minor doubt with a muscle injury, as is full-back Ben White with a knock.
Winger Max Dowman is unlikely to return yet from an ankle problem but midfielder Martin Odegaard returned from a knee injury against Spurs.
Arsenal v Chelsea predicted line-ups
Arsena starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres
Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto, Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro
Where to watch Arsenal v Chelsea: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 16:30 GMT (11:30 ET / 08:30 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 day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
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Streaming is available on a vast variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
Arsenal v Chelsea stats
- Arsenal have prevailed in their last three home league games against Chelsea, last winning more consecutively between 1990 and 1994 (5)
- Only Tottenham players (5) have made more errors leading to goals in the Premier League in 2026 than Arsenal (4), with 44% of the nine goals the Gunners have conceded this year coming from mistakes
- Eberechi Eze has scored each of his last 11 Premier League goals in London, with all six for Arsenal this season (1 vs Crystal Palace, 5 vs Spurs), which is the most ever by a player in a season without scoring outside of London derby games
- The last Gunners player with more derby goals in a season was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018/19 (7)
- In his second game in charge of Arsenal in December 2019, Mikel Arteta lost 2-1 at the Emirates against Chelsea. Since then, his side have lost one of 15 games against the Blues in all competitions (W10 D)
- One of Arsenal’s last 25 Premier League London derby matches have ended in defeat (W18 D6), losing 1-0 at home to West Ham last February
- Since the start of 2022/23, Arsenal have scored in all but two of 44 London derby games, both against West Ham (2-0 in December 2023, 1-0 in February 2025)
- Chelsea are winless in their last eight Premier League games against Arsenal (D3 L5), which is their longest barren streak since a run of 19 between 1995 and 2005
- They have lost eight of their last nine away Premier League matches against sides starting the day top of the table, winning the other 2-1 against Man City in May 2021
- The Blues have played nine away top-flight games against Arsenal when the Gunners are top and won one (D2 L6), beating them 2-0 win in March 1948
- With six Premier League red cards this season, Arsenal have more than any other club and their joint-most ever in a single season
- Midfielder Moises Caicedo was sent off against Arsenal earlier this season and Chelsea have only received more reds against Liverpool (8) than these opponents
- Only West Ham (20) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League in 2025/26 than Chelsea (19)
- Rosenior’s side have scored first in their last two before drawing with Leeds and Burnley – they last failed to win three in a row despite going 1-0 ahead in each back in May 2016
- Each of their two away Premier League matches under Rosenior have been wins. Liverpool’s Arne Slot was the last manager to win his first three away Premier League games in charge overall, while the last Englishman was Tim Sherwood at Spurs in 2013/14