Chelsea host Arsenal tonight in a crucial London derby as the race to finish in the top four intensifies.
The Blues are currently in the driving seat, but their once commanding position has been gradually eroded in recent weeks and Frank Lampard’s side are now only five points ahead of Manchester United and Wolves.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are a further five points behind United but can haul themselves back into the conversation with a win at Stamford Bridge, laying a big dent in Chelsea’s ambitions in the process. Follow all the latest live:
Conversely, though, Arsenal tend to do well here historically. Just not recently.
It’s been a long time since Arsenal won a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge…
Arteta, meanwhile, has called on his players to replicate last month’s first-half performance against Chelsea.
“A lot of things have changed that are positive [since last month’s defeat by Chelsea],” he said. “The way we have changed the energy with our fans has been massive. In terms of results we have been unlucky.
“I loved the first 30-35 minutes against them and how much we wanted to put them under pressure. They changed the system and started to defend deep, and physically it was harder to maintain that energy. Against Chelsea that is vital. We will go with the same intention.”
Frank Lampard has highlighted the progress made by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal in the buildup to this one. The two sides met in late December – Chelsea coming out on top in a 2-1 win – but they were on the back foot for much of the game.
“This league is so competitive. I know that they are a good team with good players,” said Lampard. “There has been a change when Mikel Arteta came in, we must be on guard and at our best.
“His effect is very quick and sudden, we felt that when we first played them. He is a good coach and he will get time.”
Team News
Chelsea make two changes from their defeat at Newcastle, then: Emerson Palmieri and Mateo Kovacic replace Reece James and Mason Mount.
Arsenal, meanwhile, make just a solitary change, with Hector Bellerin back in at right back ahead of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Team news
Reece James and Marcos Alonso are both available for Chelsea, with the former recovering from a knock sustained in the defeat at Newcastle. Christian Pulisic, however, remains absent for Chelsea.
Sokratis missed Arsenal’s draw with Sheffield due to illness and is a doubt once again, Reiss Nelson and Sead Kolasinac have both been ruled out, while captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is suspended.
Tonight’s starting line-ups will be announced imminently.
Frank Lampard echoed those comments, claiming “nothing was imminent”. However, he did heap praise on PSG’s wantaway striker Edinson Cavani.
He’s a great player, I played against him and I always loved his mentality and his attitude. His goal-scoring record speaks for itself. I’m not absolutely aware of what the situation is, so we’ll see. He’s an experienced player but so are many other players out there. We are young as a squad so the idea of bringing in experience is not something I’m looking away from. Sometimes the younger players need a bit of help.
Both managers have remained coy over potential transfers this month, despite publicly calling for reinforcements. Mikel Arteta even admitted yesterday that it was a “possibility” that Arsenal don’t sign anyone at all, despite being linked strongly with PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa.
Things haven’t moved at all since the weekend. There is nothing new to say about any deals or players. When we have more info, we’ll let you know. The players we want to bring in have to be players who are going to help us and make a difference in the squad. It’s not for the sake of just bringing in players.
While the Blues are searching for retribution, Arsenal have significant ground to make up themselves after slipping to 10th in the table following a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday. Mikel Arteta has only won two of his six games in charge so far, however, one of those victories did come against Manchester United.
Frank Lampard has called for his squad to “take it out on Arsenal” after an injury-time goal snatched away a draw at Newcastle on Saturday. Chelsea were once again unable to capitalise on their dominance in possession, forcing Lampard to reiterate his desire to sign a new striker this month.
Hello and welcome along to live coverage of the night’s biggest game – Chelsea vs Arsenal. Callum will be here shortly with all the build-up and team news from Stamford Bridge. In the meantime, here’s Arsene Wenger assessing Arsenal’s identity crisis:
What time is the match?
The match will kick off at 8.15pm at Stamford Bridge.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate.
Subscribers can also watch the game online via the BT Sport website.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea: Kepa, James, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Abraham, Mount
Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Sokratis, Saka; Xhaka, Torreira, Martinelli, Ozil, Pepe, Lacazette
Prediction
Mikel Arteta admitted that if they are to have any chance of making the top four they need a victory at Stamford Bridge, but despite Chelsea’s up and down home form they should have enough to cause the Gunners problems too. Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal.
