London will come alive when arch-rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea, clash in a Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, with both teams aiming for a win to boost their respective ambitions.
The Gunners are aiming to reopen a four-point lead in second place while still holding a faint hope of catching up with league leaders, Liverpool, who will be busy facing Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
Team News
Gabriel Martinelli is in line to make a first start for the Gunners in over a month, having featured as a substitute in Arsenal’s last two matches coupled with the need for a recognised striker spearheading the attack.
More so, Martinelli’s chances of starting are higher due to Raheem Sterling being unavailable for the match after his two-assist display in the midweek Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven; Sterling is ineligible to face his parent club.
Ben White started in midweek against PSV but will likely return to the bench, with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori set to start in the full-back positions, while William Saliba returns to pair with Gabriel in central defence for the Gunners.
Robert Sanchez looks set to start the London derby for Chelsea, having started on the bench for four straight league games. Reece James and Cole Palmer have shaken off illness and are expected to start the game.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are still set to be without Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal XI
David Raya – Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori – Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice – Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli.
Chelsea XI
Robert Sanchez – Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella – Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo – Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Christopher Nkunku – Pedro Neto.
Match Odds
Kick-off Time
The match will kick off at 1.30pm GMT at the Emirates Stadium today, Sunday, March 16th.