Arsenal will seek to apply further pressure to Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool when they host Chelsea in Tuesday’s London derby at Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side returned to the top of the table with a 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday, and they remain above Liverpool on goal difference only after Jurgen Klopp’s men prevailed 3-1 at Fulham.
City were not in Premier League action at the weekend as they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup semifinals, meaning Arsenal can open up a four-point advantage over Pep Guardiola’s men, albeit having played two games more.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea will be aiming to make that equation look a little different. Despite seeing their final shot at silverware end at the weekend, the Blues remain in the hunt for European qualification and three points would move on to 50 points — the same tally as Newcastle United and Manchester United, who lie sixth and seventh respectively.
“I see huge improvements,” Arteta said of Chelsea’s progress throughout an inconsistent campaign. “They deserve to be in a much higher position in the league when you look at what they have done and what they have produced in games.
“They have reached a final [in the Carabao Cup] and a semi-final and could have gone through. I think what Mauricio is doing is really impressive and I’m sure he’s going to get them there.”
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Mikel Arteta has no fresh injuries to contend with as Jurrien Timber remains out, nearing a return after scoring a worldie in U-21 action yesterday. Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko could all be rotated into the starting XI.
Arsenal (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko — Havertz, Rice, Odegaard — Saka, Jesus, Trossard.
Arsenal subs: Ramsdale (GK), Partey, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nketiah, Kiwior, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Vieira.
Mauricio Pochettino is waiting on the status of Cole Palmer who is a doubt with an illness, which could present a huge swing in this match.
Chelsea (4-4-2, right to left): Martinez (GK) — Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne — Zaniolo, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers — Watkins, Diaby.
Chelsea subs: Olsen (GK), Cash, Moreno, Chambers, Lenglet, Duran, Kesler-Hayden, Bailey, Iroegbunam
USA: This game will be broadcast on USA Network, with a Spanish-language option via Telemundo. Fubo subscribers can also stream the action live.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live-streaming exclusively via Fubo.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on-demand on Optus Sport.
UK: This game is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming options via Sky GO and Now TV.