Mikel Arteta has effusively praised Mikel Merino’s value as a number nine as the Arsenal head coach plots a victory at Chelsea on Sunday that would move the leaders at least seven points clear in the Premier League.
Amid a string of attacking injuries, midfielder Merino has thrived as a forward again in 2025/26, acting as targetman in Arsenal’s 3-1 Champions League home win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday and scoring twice in the 3-0 victory at Slavia Prague on November 4.
“He could have scored two goals the other night,” Arteta said of the Spain international. “He was involved in many positive actions and his work rate was unbelievable.
“He brings other things to the table: his intelligence, the way he competes, the way he masters a lot of the things that are crucial for us.”
Chelsea collected one of their best results since Enzo Maresca’s appointment in June 2024 by beating Barcelona 3-0 at home on Tuesday, including goals by 18-year-old Estevao and Liam Delap, netting his first career goal in the Champions League.
“It’s always nice to share that kind of moment at the end of the game with everyone,” Maresca said of the celebrations, describing the prospect of stopping Arsenal as “nice” and “a different challenge”.
“We need to plan against Arsenal in a different way. Arsenal can score against any team from set-pieces – against Bayern Munich, they scored their first from a corner.
“They have a system that works very well and we are going to try to defend in the best way. It’s very early and it’s important to be where we are now in March, April.”
Chelsea v Arsenal team news
Viktor Gyokeres (hamstring) and Kai Havertz (knee) are “very, very close” to returning for Arsenal, Arteta said, but fellow forward Leandro Trossard is a doubt after coming off against Bayern.
Striker Gabriel Jesus is back in training but may not yet be in contention after 11 months out with a knee injury and centre-back Gabriel remains out with a thigh issue sustained while playing for Brazil in a friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium.
Full-back Riccardo Calafiori missed both of Italy’s games during the international break with a hip problem but came off the bench against Bayern, while Arteta suggested that Piero Hincapie – a full debutant at centre-back in the 4-1 home win over Tottenham on Sunday – could play at left-back.
Playmaker Cole Palmer could start for Chelsea, having been sidelined since September with groin and toe injuries.
Midfielder Romeo Lavia is out and defender Levi Colwill and midfielder Dario Essugo have long-term injuries.
Chelsea v Arsenal predicted lineups
Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Estevao, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto
Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres
How to watch Chelsea v Arsenal: TV channel, online live stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 16:30 GMT (11:30 ET / 08:30 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
Streaming is available on a vast variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
Chelsea v Arsenal stats
- Chelsea have netted first in 12 consecutive matches and opened the scoring in eight of their 12 league games this season
- The Blues have lost two of their last four top-flight games at Stamford Bridge – as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 28 there
- They are unbeaten in eight league London derbies but lost 1-0 at Arsenal on March 16, when Merino scored
- None of the last seven editions of the fixture in the league have resulted in victory for Chelsea, who have won one of their last 11 such matches against Arsenal
- The hosts’ tally of eight set-piece goals this season is the second-most in the Premier League, while their expected goals count of 0.45 per game from dead balls is the fourth-highest rate in the division.
- Arsenal have won 11 and lost one of their last 20 league games on the road and are unbeaten in nine London derbies away
- They are unbeaten in six league visits to Chelsea, a streak only Blackburn Rovers (10) and the Gunners (9) have ever bettered
- Arteta’s team have won 16 of the 17 games in all competitions in which they’ve led this season, as well as all 15 when they’ve scored the opener
- With 10 goals via the method so far, Arsenal have scored the most goals in the division from set-pieces
- There have been 24 attempts from set-pieces against Arsenal in their 12 league games, representing the best record in the Premier League in that respect
Chelsea v Arsenal prediction
Chelsea
Arsenal
Back a third successive draw between these teams at Stamford Bridge, perhaps with a repeat of last season’s scoreline.
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