Key Points
- Arsenal welcome rivals Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium for a blockbuster London derby on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 6.30pm GMT.
- The match carries major implications for the Premier League title race, with Arsenal leading Manchester City by five points on 61 points, and for Champions League qualification, where Chelsea sit fifth on 45 points.​
- Arsenal’s season has been a rollercoaster: they once held an eight-point lead but suffered a damaging defeat to Manchester United and frustrating draws against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Wolves, slashing their advantage to two points.[query]
- Momentum returned with a emphatic 4-1 victory over Tottenham in the North London derby last weekend, courtesy of braces from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres, restoring a five-point lead over City.​​
- Mikel Arteta boasts a 60.8 percent win rate in Premier League London derbies, the highest among managers with at least 20 such games, surpassing Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger.​
- Chelsea parted ways with Enzo Maresca due to inconsistent results and reported tensions over squad reinforcements; Liam Rosenior was appointed head coach on a long-term deal in January 2026.
- Under Rosenior, Chelsea remain unbeaten in five league games but drew consecutively at home against Leeds United (2-2 after leading 2-0) and Burnley (1-1 after red card to Fofana).
- Chelsea suffered League Cup semi-final defeats to Arsenal: 3-2 loss in first leg at Stamford Bridge and 1-0 second-leg defeat at Emirates (aggregate 4-2), with goals from Ben White, Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Kai Havertz.
- Liverpool lurk close to Chelsea in sixth on 45 points, heightening pressure for top-five finish.​
- Elsewhere, second-placed Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, host Leeds United on Saturday, February 28, as they chase Arsenal while Leeds fight relegation.
Emirates Stadium,(North London News) February 26, 2026 – Arsenal will welcome fierce rivals Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium in a high-stakes London derby on Sunday at 6.30pm, a clash that could shape the Premier League title race and Champions League spots.
The Gunners lead the table with 61 points from 27 games, five clear of Manchester City on 56, following their dominant 4-1 North London derby win over Tottenham. Chelsea, fifth on 45 points and level with Liverpool, face mounting pressure after recent draws and a League Cup exit to Arsenal.
What Makes This London Derby So Crucial?
This fixture pits two London giants against each other at a pivotal juncture. Arsenal’s rollercoaster campaign saw them squander an eight-point lead through a defeat to Manchester United and draws versus Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Wolves. As reported by ESPN’s match coverage, the 4-1 thrashing of Tottenham last weekend, with braces from new signings Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres, has reignited title hopes.​​
For Chelsea, the stakes are equally high in the top-five battle. After sacking Enzo Maresca amid whispers of discord over defensive reinforcements, as detailed by journalist Matt Law on the London Is Blue podcast via The Chelsea Chronicle, the club turned to Liam Rosenior. Rosenior, appointed on a 5.5-year deal after Strasbourg, spoke optimistically:
“I am incredibly grateful and honoured to be named Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This organisation possesses an extraordinary spirit and a rich legacy of achieving success,”
according to Chelsea’s official statement.
Recent Chelsea form under Rosenior shows resilience but frustration: unbeaten in five league games, yet consecutive home draws against Leeds (2-2 after leading 2-0) and Burnley (1-1 post-Fofana red card). Reuters reported Rosenior post-Leeds:
“I am still learning who I can depend on during challenging moments.”
How Has Arsenal’s Form Fluctuated This Season?
Arsenal’s path to the summit has been turbulent. They once enjoyed an eight-point cushion but faltered with key slips: a damaging loss to Manchester United and stalemates against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Wolves, reducing their lead to two points.
The tide turned emphatically in the North London derby. As per ESPN’s live coverage by their football team,
“Arsenal went five points clear at the top after a second-half demolition of Tottenham, with a brace each from Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze.”
A YouTube match highlight transcript confirmed:
“North London is red. Arsenal claimed the bragging rights… Two goals from Eberechi Eze and two from Viktor Gyokeres.”​​
Mikel Arteta’s derby mastery underpins confidence. Baomoi reported:
“Mikel Arteta đạt tá»· lệ thắng derby London cao nhất lịch sá» Premier League… 60.8% trong các tráşn derby tại Premier League, cao nhất trong số những nhĂ cầm quân từng dáş«n dắt Ăt nhất 20 tráşn derby,”
surpassing Mourinho and Wenger. Arsenal also hold recent Emirates dominance over Chelsea: 1-0 Premier League win via Mikel Merino and League Cup semi-final triumphs.
Standings reflect their resurgence: 1st with 61 points, per Thairath’s February 24 update.​
Why Did Chelsea Change Managers Mid-Season?
Chelsea’s turbulence prompted Enzo Maresca’s January 2026 exit after 19 months. The Pride of London cited Matt Law: Maresca was unhappy management ignored his plea for a new centre-back post-Levi Colwill’s injury, with questionable decisions sealing his fate. Reuters noted a poor run: one win in seven, dropping to fifth despite earlier title contention.
Liam Rosenior’s arrival steadied matters initially. Chelsea FC’s announcement quoted:
“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach… on a contract that extends to 2032.”
His debut era includes a 1-1 Manchester City draw under interim Calum McFarlane.
Yet, inconsistencies persist. Reuters on the Burnley draw: “Chelsea faced recurring issues… sixth red card of the season… allowing a late equalizer.” The Leeds game saw them implode from 2-0 up, as Chelsea’s site previewed:
“Leeds ended our four-game winning run… 2-2.”
What Happened in Arsenal vs Chelsea League Cup Clashes?
Arsenal knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup semi-finals. First leg at Stamford Bridge: Arsenal won 3-2, with Ben White’s header, Gyokeres on Sanchez’s error, Garnacho reply, and Zubimendi’s finish, per Reuters.​
Second leg at Emirates: 1-0 Arsenal via Kai Havertz’s injury-time counter, aggregate 4-2, as Reuters detailed: “Arsenal secured… withstood mounting pressure.” Sportsmole noted Arsenal’s prior 1-0 league home win. Rosenior introduced Cole Palmer, Estevao, and Garnacho, but couldn’t overturn the deficit.
Who Are the Key Players to Watch?
Arsenal’s firepower relies on Eze and Gyokeres post-Tottenham exploits. Arteta’s set-piece routines shone: Rice, Gabriel, White, Zubimendi involved recently.
Chelsea’s threats include Joao Pedro (five goals in six), Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo, and Garnacho. Fofana’s discipline issues loom after his Burnley red.
How Do Other Matches Impact the Race?
Manchester City host Leeds on February 28 at Elland Road (5.30pm kick-off), per Man City’s preview: “Pep Guardiola’s resurgent team chase Arsenal.” Leeds battle survival under Daniel Farke.​
Title race tight: Arsenal 61, City 56, Villa 51; top-four: United 48, Chelsea/Liverpool 45. A Chelsea slip risks Champions League exile with Liverpool pressing.​
What Are the Tactical Battles?
Arteta’s high win rate in derbies (60.8%) faces Rosenior’s learning curve. Arsenal’s Emirates fortress: unbeaten vs Chelsea there since 2021. Chelsea’s red-card woes (six this season) could prove costly.
Sportpesa’s preview highlights Arsenal’s Carabao Cup superiority: “Mikel Arteta’s side has already proven to be Chelsea’s superior.” Expect intensity in this blockbuster.
This derby encapsulates the Premier League’s drama, with title glory and European fate on the line.Â
