Chelsea vs Arsenal: 6 things to look out for

Following a successful UEFA Conference League fixture, Chelsea gears up to face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. A win in this London derby would secure their spot in the top four as they head into the season's final international break. Here’s what to watch for:

1. Chelsea Seeking First Win in This Fixture Since 2018-19

Chelsea’s last home victory over Arsenal came during the 2018-19 season under Maurizio Sarri, while their last overall win against the Gunners was three years ago at the Emirates, with Thomas Tuchel as manager. Since 2018, Arsenal has had more success over the Blues in this matchup.

In this fixture last season, Chelsea led 2-0 before a mistake by Robert Sanchez allowed Arsenal to stage a comeback, resulting in a 2-2 draw. The most recent encounter between the teams saw Arsenal deliver a crushing 5-0 defeat to Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the Emirates Stadium late last season.

2. Enzo Maresca’s Record Against the Top Six

Enzo Maresca has yet to secure a win against a traditional top-six side this season. Chelsea fell to Manchester City in the season opener at home, lost to Liverpool in mid-October at Anfield, and recently drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. A result other than a win against Arsenal, who have lost their last two matches across competitions, could intensify scrutiny on Maresca’s ability to deliver in challenging games. However, a victory on Sunday could provide a much-needed boost, inspiring confidence and raising expectations for Chelsea’s future under Maresca.

3. Potential Replacements for Cole Palmer

Injury concerns surrounding star player Cole Palmer have complicated Chelsea’s plans for Sunday. If Palmer isn’t fit enough to play, Maresca faces a tough decision in finding his replacement. Chelsea has several options for the #10 role, but matching Palmer’s typical impact will be challenging.

The leading candidates are Enzo Fernandez, Christopher Nkunku, and Joao Felix. Maresca has previously tested Fernandez in this position, though it’s worth noting the Argentine was subbed off at halftime on Thursday after a good 45 minutes albeit in a deeper role. Nkunku and Felix offer a closer profile to Palmer, given their combined ability to create and score. With Nkunku subbed off in the second half and Felix completing the game, Felix may be a third option for the role.

4. Other Potential Lineup Changes

For other positions, Marc Cucurella is likely to replace Malo Gusto from the recent Manchester United fixture, allowing Maresca to restore balance with fullbacks in their natural roles on both flanks.

Another change Maresca might consider is in goal. Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has already conceded goals due to four significant errors this season, with his last two mistakes affecting match outcomes. Notably, Sanchez’s error in this fixture last season gifted Arsenal an opportunity to begin their comeback, as he misplaced a pass to Declan Rice while far out of his goal, compromising Chelsea’s 2-0 lead.

Though Sanchez has made some key saves, consistency in basic goalkeeping tasks remains a concern. In addition to gifting goals, his passing often exposes teammates to pressing, and his long balls rarely find their target. Regardless of the team’s overall performance, a vulnerable goalkeeper can undermine Chelsea’s efforts.

5. Set Pieces Could Be Crucial at Both Ends

Set pieces have been a key source of goals for Arsenal recently, and Chelsea’s set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva will need to prepare the team for Arsenal’s tactics in these situations. Chelsea, meanwhile, has struggled to make the most of their own dead-ball opportunities until recently. However, on Thursday, they managed to score twice from corners.

It would be unrealistic to expect Arsenal to allow the same amount of free space Noah provided for Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi’s goals. But if Chelsea can deliver accurate balls into the box, they’ll have a fighting chance. Before Thursday’s match, Chelsea’s set-piece attempts during the previous three matches were too predictable, focusing heavily on targeting the goalkeeper without success. They should avoid a one-dimensional approach unless the situation favors it.

6. Tactics and Setup

Chelsea’s setup in last weekend’s match against Manchester United at Old Trafford drew criticism for showing too much respect to an underperforming United side, allowing them to grow into the game. A similarly cautious approach against a stronger Arsenal side could see Chelsea punished.

Chelsea must play with courage while maintaining caution. A loss on Sunday could drop them out of the top six by the end of this game week. A subpar performance risks creating a wave of negativity among fans on social media regarding Maresca’s project and Chelsea’s future. However, a victory would have the opposite effect, lifting spirits and building positive momentum heading into the international break, which sets the stage for the busy festive fixture schedule ahead.