Sunday afternoon brings about a fierce London derby which should captivate audiences in England and around the world when Chelsea entertain Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Even at this early stage of the season, there’s plenty on the line. The Gunners may unexpectedly have been fancied more than the Blues to mount a Premier League title challenge but both sides are sat on 18 points heading into the meeting, ten behind runaway leaders Liverpool.
There have been real question marks over the form of the two teams in recent weeks, but Sunday will present the opportunity to get back on track and avoid entering the international break feeling in the doldrums. But which players will be key to the outcome in west London?
Here are three key battles that could decide which way the points go when Arsenal visit Chelsea on Sunday.
Two of the most expensive players in Premier League history will be tasked with keeping the other quiet when Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice lock horns.
Ecuador international Caicedo had a tough first season at Stamford Bridge, looking more than a little lost under Mauricio Pochettino, but the former Brighton & Hove Albion star has a clear purpose under Enzo Maresca and scored Chelsea’s equaliser at Manchester United last week.
He’ll look to cover every blade of Stamford Bridge grass, much like opposite number Rice. The England star missed the midweek defeat to Inter with a toe problem but is expected back for the trip across London. His availability would be a huge boost for manager Mikel Arteta, who could do with a win after two straight losses.
Marc Cucurella and Bukayo Saka are pretty familiar foes at this point. The pair squared off over the summer during the Euro 2024 final and it was Spain’s Cucurella who largely edged his England opponent on the way to a 2-1 victory.
That said, Saka’s influence over Arsenal is greater compared to his national team output at this stage and Cucurella will have a major job on his hands to stop the 23-year-old delivering quality crosses into the box and stopping him getting close to goal.
Cucurella will have confidence on his side having won this battle on international duty, but he’ll need all his wits about him to come out on top again.
There are big doubts over Cole Palmer’s fitness status heading into Sunday’s mammoth clash. The former Manchester City attacker sustained a knee blow at United last week but there is hope he’ll pull through to make Maresca’s starting XI.
That would be a huge boost for Chelsea, who rely on the 22-year-old in so many ways. Palmer already has seven goals and five assists in the Premier League this season and it’s Gabriel who is likely to be tasked with shutting him down.
Palmer will start from the right but drift infield often as he looks to open Arsenal up and pick killer passes for his teammates. If Gabiel and centre-back partner William Saliba aren’t alert, Chelsea’s number 20 could take the visitors apart.
