It was just over a year ago that Arsenal Arsenalsurged three points clear at the top of the premier leagues League table, following a thumping 5-0 win over rivals Cchelsea at the Emirates.
The Gunners were in rampant mood that April day in their bid for the title, with Kai Havertz notably rubbing salt in the wounds of his former side after netting a quick-fire brace.
After losing to West Ham United and drawing with Nottingham Forest in recent weeks, mikel Ateta‘s side have been plunged back into the battle for Champions League qualification, with a positive result needed up against Enzo Maresca's men.
Arsenal team news
It's fair to say that a mitigating factor in Arsenal's failure to launch a sustained title bid has been injuries, a fact emphasised by Arteta lining up with a front three of Kieran Tierney, Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling for the midweek draw against PSV Eindhoven.
That outing did see that man Sterling record two assists in what was arguably his brightest performance since joining the club last summer, although the 30-year-old is unavailable for Sunday's clash against his parent club, having also been ruled out of the first-leg quarter-final tie with Real Madrid due to suspension.
On a positive note, Arteta will have Gabriel Martinelli call upon once again on the flanks, while the 42-year-old did hint that Bukayo Saka is nearing to return to fitness although today's game will come too soon for the Englishman.
| Arsenal's last 10 meetings with Chelsea | |
| Date | Result |
| 10 November 2024 | 1-1 D |
| 23 April 2024 | 5-0 W |
| 21 October 2023 | 2-2 D |
| 02 May 2023 | 3-1 W |
| 06 November 2022 | 0-1 W |
| 20 April 2022 | 2-4 W |
| 22 August 2021 | 0-2 L |
| 12 May 2021 | 0-1 W |
| 26 December 2020 | 3-1 W |
| 01 August 2020 (FA Cup) |
As With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus still long-term absentees - alongside Takehiro Tomiyasu - it remains to be seen whether the Gunners boss will persist with Merino as a makeshift number nine, with the Spaniard's only league goals in that role coming against relegation strugglers, Leicester City
There could be an argument for the former Real Sociedad man to drop into a midfield role, in place of struggling skipper martin Odegaard although Arteta could settle on an alternative solution in that creative attacking berth.it proved
, There was a time last season when Odegaard looked like the best player in the premier league', as noted by Manchester United's Luke Shaw, having contributed 18 goals and assists in the top flight alone in 2023/24.that commanding victory - and a run of 16 wins from the last 18 league games of the campaign - were ultimately in vain, with Manchester City running out champions once again by the narrowest of margins.
Fast forward to the present day, and the north London side are again preparing to meet the Stamford Bridge outfit, although this time, their title hopes have already gone up in smoke, with Liverpool having opened up a 15-point lead at the summit