Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners sit above Liverpool on goal difference but play before the Reds this week, meaning they have the chance to move three points clear. 

Arsenal returned to winning ways after two costly defeats

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Arsenal returned to winning ways after two costly defeats

Mikel Arteta’s side bounced back from a defeat to Aston Villa and elimination from the Champions League by beating Wolves last time out. 

They will be aiming to build on that win but it will be tough as they are up against the Blues who are on an eight-game unbeaten streak in the league. 

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Palmer’s paradise

Cole Palmer has joined some Chelsea legends with his numbers in his debut season.

The 21-year-old has scored 20 Premier League goals this campaign, with 10 of those coming in his last five appearances. 

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And only three players have ever scored more in one season for the Blues. 

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink netted 23 times in 2000/01 and 2001/02, Frank Lampard scored 22 in 2009/10 and Didier Drogba scored 29 in the same year. 

So it hasn’t taken Palmer long to write his name in the history books at Stamford Bridge. 

He is also closing in on Premier League history as he is only one penalty away from becoming the sixth player ever to score 10 spot-kicks in a single season. 

Palmer has been Chelsea's key player this season

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Palmer has been Chelsea’s key player this season
  • Chelsea lost this exact fixture 3-1 last season – they’ve not lost consecutive Premier League away games against Arsenal since a run of three between December 2001 and October 2003.
  • Arsenal have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea (W5 D2), while their current four-game unbeaten run is their longest against the Blues in the league since a 19-game streak between 1995 and 2005.

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Team news 

Arsenal have the luxury of having no new injuries in their squad ahead of this game. 

Jurrien Timber is nearing a return to action after missing the entire season while Takehiro Tomiyasu should be back after being ruled out of the Wolves clash. 

As for Chelsea, Christopher Nkunku and Robert Sanchez are both closing in on a return. 

However, Reece James, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill all remain out. 

Wesley Fofana and Lesley Ugochukwu are also continuing their rehabilitation programmes. 

Nkunku is closing in a return from injury

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Nkunku is closing in a return from injuryCredit: Getty
Jeff Stelling goes on furious rant as he is adamant that Arsenal have not ‘bottled’ the Premier League title to Manchester City after the Gunners’ 0-2 loss to Aston Villa
  • Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games (W4 D4), scoring at least twice in each of their last six. They last had a longer run without defeat between January and March 2021 (10).
  • Arsenal lost 2-0 against Aston Villa in their last home game – they last lost consecutive league games at the Emirates in April 2022, and last did so without scoring in November 2020.

Arsenal vs Chelsea: What has been said? 

Speaking after Arsenal beat Wolves, Arteta criticised his side’s busy schedule after playing away against Bayern Munich days before the clash. 

“It’s about the wellbeing of the players,” he said. “When you compete in European competition every team has to compete in the same way. 

“You cannot have a team that hasn’t played for seven days, or three days before, and has more recovery time and then you have to play in the Premier League and the FA Cup.

“It is not right. If you look in any angle it’s not right. If you want to protect, let’s talk about the players and the protagonists. 

“Let’s protect the players and do everything we can to give them the maximum time to help them recover and perform and do the show that they do every week.”

Arteta is unhappy with the Gunners' hectic schedule

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Arteta is unhappy with the Gunners’ hectic scheduleCredit: AFP
  • Since the start of last season, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has been involved in more London derby goals in the Premier League than any other player (17 – 8 goals, 9 assists).
  • Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has never won a Premier League away game against Arsenal, drawing four and losing three of his seven league visits to the Emirates Stadium with Southampton and Spurs.

Arsenal vs Chelsea: talkSPORT coverage 

This Premier League clash will take place on Tuesday, April 23. 

Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is scheduled for 8pm. 

talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham. 

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England defender Danny Mills. 


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