The title race is getting to the stage where dropping points feels make-or-break. Going away at White Heart Lane in some ways could be seen as a pressure-off situation compared to Wolves at home, and that may have played into the great performance. Arteta will hope for a similar situation with this weekend’s London Derby against Chelsea, who he has bested many times over the years.
Historical dominance
There was a period in time, with Ancelotti and Mourinho, where Arsenal didn’t enjoy playing Chelsea. Arteta has changed this, and it will be 8 league games unbeaten against Chelsea, not including the double over them in the cup this year.
Chelsea hasn’t tasted victory at the Emirates since Romelu Lukaku’s debut in August 2021, essentially a lifetime ago in football terms, and many managers ago for Chelsea. Since then, the Emirates has become a fortress, and because of these high expectations, the atmosphere at every home Arsenal match can quickly go from confidence to frustration.
Team news
Heading into Sunday are headlines around the fitness of Bukayo Saka. After limping off during the 4-1 dismantling of Tottenham, the starboy remains a major doubt. Arsenal’s depth, for the first time in many years, feels like enough despite the injury problems. Being a former Chelsea player, Noni will be up for it if Saka isn’t 100%.
Martin Ødegaard is fully fit after his appearance against Spurs, though it will be interesting whether he can displace Eze, who just scored a brace last weekend. Kai Havertz remains a 50/50 decision with a hamstring niggle, but the Chelsea factor may be enough to get him on the pitch at some point.
Chelsea arrives similarly wounded. Wesley Fofana is suspended, leaving a gaping hole in Rosenior’s defense, and the potential absence of Estevão Willian won’t help their attacking chances. Though, Arsenal will have to come against Palmer and Reece-James this time.
The myth of the bottlers
Arsenal are still in control of the title race with 61 points, five clear of Manchester City, though this will likely narrow to two points if City beat Leeds. The recent narrative of Arsenal as bottlers still lingers and likely plays into the minds of the players somewhat.
But Arsenal’s record this season is mighty impressive, even with the recent stumbles. Another London derby could be enough to take their minds off a “must 3 points” situation against a struggling low-block side. Whether or not Arsenal’s late-season stumbles have been down to mindset or fatigue isn’t yet known. This season, with more depth and rotation options, it will be known.
Could Eze and Gyökeres be the difference?
Chelsea will hope to frustrate Arsenal, especially with a relatively techy Emirates atmosphere of late. Some of the problems with unlocking low blocks have been a lack of individualism, but Viktor Gyökeres and Eze are the clear answers to this, and both seem to be returning to form.
It may not come to that, as Rosenior plays a high-press style that can make life easier for Arsenal to create. As for the defence, Arsenal have not conceded a goal on the counter since September – a clue as to why Arsenal perhaps could get away with being a bit more free-flowing like they were against Spurs.
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