Chelsea and Arsenal will clash in a highly anticipated Premier League match on Saturday evening at Stamford Bridge. The two London rivals have had contrasting starts to the season, with Arsenal unbeaten and second in the table, while Chelsea are seventh and looking for their first home win over the Gunners since 2018.
Pochettino and Arteta: Friends turned foes
The two managers of Chelsea and Arsenal, Mauricio Pochettino and Mikel Arteta, have a long history of friendship and rivalry. They were teammates at Paris Saint-Germain in the early 2000s, where they formed a close bond and shared their managerial aspirations. They have also faced each other as players and coaches in Spain and England, with Arteta winning four and losing three of their eight meetings.
However, their friendship will be put aside on Saturday, as they both seek to claim the bragging rights in London. Pochettino, who took over Chelsea in June after leaving PSG, has never lost a home match against Arsenal in the Premier League, winning three and drawing three of his six encounters. Arteta, who has been in charge of Arsenal since December 2019, has won five of his eight league matches against Chelsea, including both last season.
Chelsea’s mixed form under Pochettino
Chelsea have had a mixed start to the season under Pochettino, who replaced Thomas Tuchel after the German left to join Bayern Munich. The Blues have won four, drawn one and lost three of their eight league games so far, scoring 12 goals and conceding 11. They have also progressed to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup and the group stage of the Champions League.
However, Chelsea have struggled to find consistency and cohesion under Pochettino’s style of play, which is more attacking and pressing than Tuchel’s. They have also suffered from injuries and suspensions to key players such as Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku and Wesley Fofana. The Blues are hoping to claim three consecutive league victories for the first time since last year, after beating Fulham and Burnley before the international break.
Arsenal’s unbeaten run under Arteta
Arsenal have been impressive under Arteta this season, as they are one of two teams, along with Tottenham Hotspur, yet to be beaten in the Premier League. The Gunners have won six and drawn two of their eight league games so far, scoring 16 goals and conceding six. They have also reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup and the group stage of the Europa League.
Arsenal have shown resilience and quality under Arteta’s guidance, as they have overcome a difficult start to the season that saw them lose their captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona and their star midfielder Thomas Partey to injury. The Gunners have relied on their young talents such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, who have all stepped up and delivered. Arsenal can become the first team to win their opening four away games in a top-flight season without conceding a goal.
Key players and stats
The match between Chelsea and Arsenal will feature some of the best players in the Premier League, who will be eager to make an impact. For Chelsea, Malo Gusto will return from a three-match ban and will be expected to provide creativity and goals from midfield. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are also available after international duty and will add pace and energy to the attack. Axel Disasi and Nicolas Jackson are doubts after withdrawing from international duty through injury.
For Arsenal, Saka and Trossard are both nursing hamstring issues and will be assessed before the game. Saliba is also managing a toe problem but could feature in defence. Jurrien Timber is the only confirmed absentee for the Gunners. Cameron Green and Tim David have been in excellent form for Arsenal this season, scoring seven goals each in the league. Darwin Nunez has also been a revelation since joining from Benfica, scoring five goals in eight games.
Some of the key stats for the match are:
- Chelsea have lost five of their last six Premier League matches against Arsenal, as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 25 against them.
- Arsenal have won each of their last three away league matches against Chelsea – they could become the first side to win four in a row against the Blues at Stamford Bridge since Watford between 1981 and 1986.
- The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 15 league London derbies (W11 D4), the third-longest such run in Premier League history after Chelsea (20 between 2004 and 2006) and Arsenal themselves (35 between 2001 and 2005).
- Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez has scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Arsenal.
- Arsenal’s Cameron Green has scored six goals in his last six Premier League away games.
