When Chelsea hosts Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday evening, the usually important London derby takes on added significance.
With the Premier League’s top two going head-to-head after excellent victories, the world will take note.
Enzo Maresca had a tag of failing in key games last season. However, he turned things around in a short span. It started with the Londoners thrashing PSG in the Club World Cup final. They beat defending champions Liverpool 2-1 at home recently.
However, the 3-0 victory against Barcelona at home midweek is the biggest statement of them all. As Manchester City slipped up last weekend, Chelsea enters Sunday’s London derby as Arsenal’s closest challengers.
If the hosts can find a way past Arsenal’s strong defence, they can cut the Gunners’ lead to just three points. It will truly give their title credentials a genuine boost. Maresca will be hopeful of having Cole Palmer back in some capacity for this massive fixture.
Arsenal painted North London red last weekend as Eberechi Eze’s hat-trick inspired them to a 4-1 victory against Tottenham. The Gunners are simply playing stunning football, and their defence is making life hard for opposition attackers.
Their European victory against Bayern Munich banished the ghosts of the past as they are seen as genuine contenders for the Champions League title. Plenty of injured players returned to the fray for Arsenal midweek as Mikel Arteta is buzzing with confidence. A victory on Sunday will see his side go potentially seven points clear of the chasing pack. After years of hurt, this might just be the Gunners’ year.
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal online – TV channels & live streams
The blockbuster clash will be televised on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports HDR in the UK. The fans in the US can watch the game on USA Network and Telemundo (Spanish). It can be livestreamed on Fubo in the US and Canada.
ARSENAL PREDICTED LINEUP
Leandro Trossard limped away from the Bayern Munich clash. But Arteta will be buoyed by the goal-scoring returns of Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke. Captain Martin Odegaard made a cameo off the bench against the Bavarians as well.
But it will be unfair on Eze to drop him after a stellar hat-trick last time out. Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are still not match-fit, which allows Mikel Merino to take up the striker role again. In Gabriel’s absence, Piero Hincapie was trusted with the left centre-back spot.
Predicted Lineups: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Martinelli; Merino