Key Points
- Arsenal have a current run of seven unbeaten games against Chelsea, having reclaimed dominance after years of Chelsea control during the Abramovich era.
- Chelsea sit six points behind Arsenal ahead of their Sunday meeting at Stamford Bridge.
- Mikel Arteta acknowledges Chelsea’s strong squad, form, and managerial staff as reasons for their current position in the league.
- Chelsea’s young Brazilian star Estevao and the return of Cole Palmer bolster their attack.
- Arsenal have also been in impressive form, with notable wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich.
- Arteta emphasises the importance of focus on the present game rather than looking too far ahead in the season.
- Defensive options are being carefully considered by Arteta due to absences and player form.
- The match is seen as a significant London derby and a chance for Arsenal to create distance between themselves and their rivals.
Who has dominated Arsenal vs Chelsea historically and where does the rivalry stand now?
Between 1995 and 2004, Chelsea were effectively Arsenal’s “designated whipping boys,” managing just two wins in 26 attempts, shaping a period where Arsenal had clear dominance. However, this dynamic shifted dramatically with the arrival of Roman Abramovich as Chelsea’s owner. As reported by Oliver Harbord of The Athletic, “tanks on the lawn in more ways than one” symbolised the new Chelsea era, during which Chelsea “shed their North London complex,” dominating the fixture with Arsenal only winning six of the 31 games leading up to the 2017 FA Cup final.
Since that 2017 Wembley meeting, however, the pendulum has swung back. According to Harbord, Arsenal have “reclaimed the upper hand” with only four defeats in their last 22 meetings and an ongoing run of seven unbeaten games against Chelsea, suggesting a renewed Arsenal ascendancy in this fixture.
What is the current league context ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea at Stamford Bridge?
As of the introduction to Sunday’s game, as detailed by Nick Ames for The Guardian, Chelsea trail Arsenal by six points in the Premier League table, a gap which represents a real opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to open a farther margin over their closest London rivals. Arsenal are faired well after recent successful results, while Chelsea’s recent performances and squad fitness are improving, thereby setting up a keenly contested match.
What does Mikel Arteta say about the Chelsea threat?
In his pre-match press conference quoted by Arsenal’s official website in Journalist James Benge’s coverage, Mikel Arteta expressed respect for Chelsea’s current squad and form.
“It’s a big London derby, we’re going to play a really good opponent, they are in really good form,”
Arteta stated. He acknowledged Chelsea’s deserved position in the league, saying,
“What they have done in the last few years… it makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive and they deserve to be there.”
When asked about Chelsea being the best attacking team, a label he applied before their last meeting in March, Arteta replied cautiously,
“The sample now, it’s a bit early in the season, so it’s difficult to say. But it’s one of the teams that I enjoy the most watching… they have a lot of fluidity, strength, and individual talent.”
He declined to single out any individual Chelsea player but emphasised the collective quality of their forwards. Regarding 17-year-old Estevao, who scored four goals in four games for Brazil and three in three Champions League appearances, Arteta did not comment on him specifically but observed,
“It’s not a coincidence where they are.”
Who are Chelsea’s key players returning for the match and how might that affect the game?
Chelsea’s coach Enzo Maresca has probably been buoyed by the return of Cole Palmer, who has fully recovered from a groin issue and a stubbed toe. The Blues are also riding the momentum from a dominant Champions League victory over Barcelona, where Brazilian teenager Estevao made headlines. Journalist Matt Law from The Telegraph highlighted Estevao’s emerging influence in Chelsea’s attack, noting the “immense quality” of the squad and the importance of players like him to Chelsea’s style.
Arteta’s comments reflect this challenge:
“Whoever gets the nod at left-back is in for a proper examination,”
given Estevao’s threat and Chelsea’s fluid attacking setup. The presence of such talent ensures Chelsea remain a dangerous opponent.
How is Arsenal’s squad shaping up for the clash, especially in defence?
Due to the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes, Arteta has been experimenting with his defensive options. As per James Benge’s report from the Arsenal website, Arteta started Myles Lewis-Skelly and Cristhian Mosquera on the left-hand side recently, adapting from previous lineups that featured Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori.
Arteta explained,
“They both have a really good possibility [to play on Sunday,”
adding that flexibility in the defence is a tactical asset,
“We’ll keep using everybody and making them feel that they are connected with the team.”
This adaptability is crucial against a strong Chelsea attacking line.
How important is this game for Arsenal and Arteta’s team mindset?
Arteta was keen to temper the hype around title talk despite the significance of the game.
“For us it is [the most important, because it’s the next game. We just live in the present and make the best possible preparation to try to be better than them and win the game,”
he said. His pragmatic approach reflects a focus on the immediate challenge rather than future predictions.
He added that every match now “feels like the biggest game of the season” due to the tight Premier League schedule, commenting,
“Those are statements that we are talking about every three days… After beating Spurs at home, then we have to make a statement against Bayern Munich, and now we have to go to the next one.”
Thus, the mentality within the Arsenal camp is one of consistent challenge and motivation rather than complacency or distraction.
What would a victory mean for Arsenal in the context of the league?
Securing three points at Chelsea would extend Arsenal’s lead and put “clear daylight” between them and their rivals, effectively strengthening their position at the summit. Several pundits have observed that the post-International break period can be tricky, and Arteta’s side faces pressure to sustain momentum.
By beating a motivated Chelsea team, Arsenal would demonstrate both resilience and ambition, essential in the hunt for the Premiership title. It would also mark a statement to other challengers that Arsenal have the quality and mindset to dominate key fixtures.
