Arsenal vs. Chelsea match thread: old friends meet in a London derby

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Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates in the first clash between traditional big four (or five, or six, however you want to phrase it) clubs of the Premier League season. In life, you’re either a red or a blue. Arsenal vs. Chelsea is about as red vs. blue as they come. This will be the first meeting between Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso, notable because the pair are lifelong friends. They played on teams growing up together in Spain.

Both clubs have two wins from two to start the season. Arsenal have done it with organization and defense, as you’d expect. They’ve not conceded a goal from either match (Hull City haven’t conceded from three). Chelsea’s attack has started the season quickly with seven goals scored from their opening two matches. They’ve also conceded five over those games, looking particularly vulnerable to crosses and set pieces.

Many expected new manager Xabi Alonso to setup his side to have plenty of the ball, as he did in previous coaching stops. In last weekend’s 4-3 win over Brighton, Chelsea had 25% possession and completed just over 200 passes to Brighton’s 590. The Blues attack quickly and directly. I’ll be interested to see how they match up against Arsenal’s more robust defense and organization.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 11 straight matches in all competitions against Chelsea (8-3-0). The Blues last win against the Gunners came in August 2022. There will be just two players starting for their same teams from the starting lineups that day — Reece James and Bukayo Saka. Kai Havertz is also likely to start but, as we know, switched sides in the interim. The Arsenal lineup from that match, woo boy — Leno, Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Xhaka, Lokonga, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Martinelli.

I’ll be keeping a close watch on Bukayo Saka, who has scored in both matches this season for Arsenal but has a pretty dismal record against Chelsea. He’ll no longer be running at Marc Cucurella, who like him or not, rate him or not, always did well keeping Saka quiet. Chelsea’s defense has looked unorganized way more often than Xabi Alonso would like, so if there ever was a time for Bukayo to improve his output against the Blues, it’d be today.

Arsenal will be without William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, who remain out with the back and groin problems that have kept him out all season. The Dutch fullback is getting closer to making his return. Cristhian Mosquera, who was withdrawn against Aston Villa as a precaution per Mikel Arteta, looks like he’ll miss out today. Bruno Guimaraes has been dealing with a groin issue and reportedly picked up an additional knock on the training ground this week but was with the squad for Sunday’s pre-match walk. Declan Rice was a surprise miss from said walk. He trained all week, including yesterday, so his absence is particularly odd. UPDATE: Declan Rice starts today, he’s fine.

For Chelsea, Moises Caicedo faces a late fitness test to determine his availability. He made a brief appearance as a substitute last week. New signing Marco Palestra, who played plenty in the preseason, has yet to make his Premier League debut for the club because of a knock. His status is up in the air / doubtful. Striker Emmanuel Emegha, who also joined the club this summer, is out with a hamstring issue. Jordan Henderson is still recovering from the broken arm / wrist he suffered at the World Cup after falling during a celebration.

Arsenal - Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Ødegaard, Tzolis, Havertz, Saka

Chelsea - Martinez, Acheampong, Lacroix, Fofana, Neto, James, Lavia, Hato, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro

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Arsenal take to the road for their first big hurdle of the season as they face Aston Villa

How will the Gunners lineup for their first away match of the season?

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