Pedro Neto’s first Premier League goal for Chelsea earned them a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
The London rivals went into the match level on points and for an hour there was nothing to separate them on the pitch either, with Malo Gusto wasting a big chance for the Blues and Kai Havertz having a goal ruled out by VAR for offside against his former club. The deadlock was broken on the hour mark, when Martin Odegaard, on his return to the starting lineup, dinked a ball to the back post and Gabriel Martinelli fired a finish past Robert Sanchez at the near post.
But the Gunners could not end a winless run that now stretches four matches in the Premier League, as Neto was allowed space 20 yards out and he took full advantage, drilling a low strike into the bottom corner. It is a result that will leave Liverpool delighted, Arne Slot’s side now nine points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea heading into the international break.
Chelsea vs Arsenal latest news
- GOAL! Neto equalises for Chelsea
- GOAL! Martinelli fires Arsenal in front
- NO GOAL! Havertz denied by VAR
Arsenal player ratings
18:39 , Matt VerriMartin Odegaard 8 | Star player
Started his first game for Arsenal since August - and showed why he’s been such a miss. Created Martinelli’s goal with a lovely dinked pass. Somehow played 90 minutes, too. Captain’s performance.
Thomas Partey 8
Tasked with keeping Cole Palmer quiet and basically man-marked him at times. Another good performance in what has been an impressive season for the Ghanaian.
Declan Rice 6
Managed to play despite missing Wednesday’s defeat to Inter Milan with a broken toe. A solid display, but not quite at his best.
Read our full Arsenal ratings here!
Arsenal HAD to win it with the final touch.
Saliba pops up at left wing, plays it across the face of goal. Trossard flicks it wide... taking it away from Havertz who was waiting for a tap-in.
FT: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:26 , Matt VerriThat’s full-time at Stamford Bridge.
The points are shared - both sides are nine points behind Liverpool.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:25 , Matt Verri90+4 mins: Cucurella leading the Arsenal break, that is until Odegaard clips his heels and stops that counter.
No idea how he’s avoided a booking for that - good effort.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:23 , Matt Verri90+2 mins: Arsenal corner. Gabriel, Saliba, Merino, Timber, Havertz... no shortage of options in the middle.
Instead it’s short, White then clips it in and again the offside flag goes up. What a waste.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:21 , Matt Verri90 mins: All eyes on the fourth official - five minutes added on.
Are either side going to risk the point to try and win it?
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:19 , Matt Verri87 mins: WHAT A MISS!
How has Trossard not scored?!
Jesus pulls it back, Sanchez makes a great save to stop an own goal... and Trossard then blasts over from five yards out. Had to score.
Think it might actually have been ruled out for offside anyway.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:16 , Matt Verri85 mins: Caicedo with a needless hack on Merino, up come the Arsenal defenders for this free-kick.
Odegaard whips it in, not a great ball and the flag is up anyway for offside. Not one for Nicolas Jover’s scrapbook.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:14 , Matt Verri83 mins: James on for Chelsea, as Gusto makes way.
Ball played in behind the Arsenal defence and Mudryk is away, but Raya does really well to fly off his line, slide in and clear the danger. Had to get that right.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:12 , Matt Verri81 mins: And Saka’s match is over, as he trudges around the pitch and is replaced by Jesus.
Wouldn’t be an Arsenal match without some sort of concern over one of their main players...
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
18:11 , Matt VerriSaka limping round the pitch - suspect Arteta will be on the blower to Carsley tonight.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:10 , Matt Verri79 mins: Odegaard, still going strong on his return to the starting lineup, drives forward and plays it wide to Trossard.
He cuts onto his right foot, but no space for the shot. Sanchez then does just about enough to stop Saka’s cross going behind for a corner.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:08 , Matt Verri77 mins: Arsenal slowly learning their lesson with Neto.
Again he’s allowed to drift inside onto that left foot, but this time the block does come in.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:06 , Matt Verri75 mins: Havertz goes down as he tries to hold the ball up, loses his footing and gets an earful from Fofana for his troubles.
At the other end, Jackson is clean through and rolls the ball past Raya... and then the flag goes up.
He was about three miles offside.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:04 , Matt Verri73 mins: It’s a wonderful ball in from Saka... all the way through the six-yard box and out.
Merino made the run in the middle, stuck out a leg but couldn’t make contact. Any touch and it was 2-1.
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
18:03 , Matt VerriNeto had just switched wings there and suddenly found himself in acres of space.
Arsenal caught out defensively.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
18:03 , Matt Verri72 mins: Arteta has now turned to his bench, immediately after the goal.
Merino and Trossard introduced, Rice and Martinelli the two to make way.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal | Pedro Neto 70'
18:01 , Matt VerriPressure starting to build on the Arsenal defence. Neto’s deflected strike spins away for a corner.
Taken quickly, Jackson unable to win the header when the ball does come in.
Chelsea stay on the attack... AND EQUALISE!
Neto from 20 yards out, low strike and it’s drilled brilliantly past Raya.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
17:59 , Matt Verri68 mins: Two Chelsea changes.
Lavia, who had just gone down, is replaced by Fernandez. Mudryk on for Madueke.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
17:57 , Matt Verri66 mins: Arsenal tail’s are up, they’re well on top right now.
Timber barges his way through the challenges, Lavia just shrugged off. Gets the shot away from 25 yards out, dragged wide.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
17:55 , Matt Verri64 mins: And now a corner for Arsenal. Saka couldn’t really be walking any slower as he goes over to take it.
Eventually it’s swung in right on top of Sanchez, not convincing at all but Chelsea just about get it cleared.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
17:53 , Matt Verri62 mins: Neto thinks he’s in behind White, but there’s a shove on the Arsenal man and the whistle goes.
Arsenal’s defence hasn’t been as solid as usual in recent weeks - can they see this one out?
Still a long, long time to go.
Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
17:52 , Matt VerriIt’s another poor moment for Robert Sanchez at a key point in a massive game.
He’s shown Martinelli so much room at the near post.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
17:52 , Matt Verri61 mins: There’s a look from VAR at offside, but Colwill is playing Martinelli on.
Goal will stand - Arsenal have the lead at Stamford Bridge.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal | Gabriel Martinelli 60'
17:51 , Matt VerriARSENAL IN FRONT!
Odegaard with a brilliant dinked ball in, Martinelli takes a touch and fires it past Sanchez at the near post.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:49 , Matt Verri58 mins: Arsenal doing a lovely job of time-wasting while Havertz is off the pitch.
Timber manages to take a throw-in backwards, dropping the ball and making it look accidental so he gets another go.
Gabriel then wins a cheap free-kick... Havertz now back on.
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
17:47 , Matt VerriLooks like Havertz has reopened the cut he got against Inter.
Currently getting plenty of strapping on it.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:47 , Matt Verri56 mins: Cucurella draws the referee’s attention to Havertz, who has a fair bit of blood running down the side of his face.
Doesn’t want to go off, referee says he has to... Havertz takes a knee rather than making his way off and he’s booked.
Eventually he does trudge to the touchline to get that cut cleaned up.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:46 , Matt Verri55 mins: Palmer stands up a cross to the back post, Gusto goes down and he’s screaming for a penalty.
Referee not interested, VAR has the swiftest of checks. Never getting that.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:44 , Matt Verri52 mins: Chelsea fans are starting to get frustrated with what they are seeing as some conservatives passing.
Jackson turns back when on the counter, before Gusto plays it all the way to Sanchez from a corner.
More like it - Madueke with a lovely cross, Fofana can’t keep the acrobatic effort down.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:41 , Matt Verri50 mins: Decent chance that for Arsenal, as Martinelli whips a dangerous cross to the back post.
Saka, Odegaard and Havertz had all made the same run though, and White can’t make up the ground behind them.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:38 , Matt Verri47 mins: Arsenal with all of the ball since half-time, but it’s mainly in defence. Chelsea in no rush to press up.
Raya does then go long, Havertz looks to knock it down for Timber but Chelsea clear.
Back underway!
17:35 , Matt VerriHere we go. Second half is up and running.
Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
17:29 , Matt VerriA moment of rare unity as the Tottenham result is announced over the PA at half-time.
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
17:26 , Matt VerriA tight and engaging game.
Arsenal doing a good job of stopping Chelsea play out, but when the hosts get through the press they look dangerous.
Gusto should have scored and Havertz had a goal disallowed for offside.
Game on a knife edge.
Fine margins...
17:23 , Matt VerriHere is that Kai Havertz incident.
Chelsea were unhappy with how quickly the free-kick was taken, but the whistle had gone.
Havertz couldn’t quite stay onside.
Kai Havertz's effort is ruled out for offside! ❌ pic.twitter.com/muYhlw38Dz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2024
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:20 , Matt VerriAnother terrible free-kick from Palmer, blasted into the wall.
That’s half-time at Stamford Bridge - nothing to split them.
Arsenal came closest with that Havertz finish, ruled out by VAR for offside.
Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
17:19 , Matt VerriTwice in two minutes Nicolas Jackson has managed to win a free-kick in a dangerous position without being touched.
Arsenal are fuming.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:1845+2 mins: Chelsea are going to get another go - referee has fallen for it again.
Odegaard it is who is penalised, there was basically no contact on Jackson. Arsenal furious.
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
17:17 , Matt VerriA big cheer from the Arsenal fans as an opposition player gets booked for delaying the restart.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:17 , Matt Verri45 mins: Not far off a perfect position for Palmer.
Straight into the wall, before Havertz is then fouled out wide. Madueke earns himself a silly yellow card, rolling the ball around as Arsenal want to take the free-kick.
Three minutes added on.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:16 , Matt Verri44 mins: Been a lack of quality in the final third from both sides.
They’ve got into decent positions, but the final pass has been poor overall.
Chance for Chelsea here, free-kick just outside the area. Rice slips Jackson.
Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
17:13 , Matt VerriRobert Sanchez really doesn’t help himself.
There’s a nervousness whenever he’s on the ball that you can sense in the atmosphere and he’s not doing much to suggest its unjustified.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:12 , Matt Verri41 mins: Better spell this for Chelsea.
Caicedo drops a shoulder and Partey buys it, space opens up.
Ball cut back to Palmer on the edge of the area. Decent touch and he’s in, but it’s a heavy one and White boots it clear.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:11 , Matt Verri39 mins: Neto down off the ball holding his face, and White has been booked.
They had clashed about 30 seconds earlier when Neto was on the floor, both carried it on.
Replays suggest Neto had absolutely no reason to hold his face. Got slightly blocked off, but his face was not touched.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:10 , Matt Verri38 mins: Partey tries to thread a pass through to Havertz - he would have been clean through. Colwill read it well and stepped across to intercept.
Palmer has had two touches in the last 15 minutes. Partey standing right on him.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:08 , Matt Verri36 mins: Chelsea fans are up after that VAR decision. Celebrated like a goal of their own.
That Gusto aside, Arsenal have been on top in the last 20 minutes or so. Nothing to show for it, though.
Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
17:05 , Matt VerriA huge let off for Chelsea.
They’re moaning about the free-kick being taken quickly but Michael Oliver had blown his whistle to signal it live.
NO GOAL!
17:05 , Matt VerriOr not!
VAR checks it and Havertz was narrowly offside. Chelsea survive.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal | Kai Havertz 32'
17:03 , Matt VerriBrilliant!
Rice takes the free-kick quickly, pass slid through to Havertz and he is strong enough to poke past Sanchez.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
17:02 , Matt Verri30 mins: Both sides not looking hugely convincing at the back, it’s been an entertaining watch.
Do get the feeling Chelsea could gift Arsenal something when they’re trying to be clever in defence...
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:59 , Matt Verri27 mins: Gusto needed some treatment after that - not sure how you treat embarrassment. He’s back up, anyway.
And now Arsenal should score!
Chelsea caught playing out from the back. Saka’s shot is blocked, falls for Martinelli. Only Sanchez to beat... saved.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:55 , Matt Verri24 mins: Massive chance!
Chelsea should be in front. Neto twists, turns, and eventually whips in a superb cross.
Gusto is there at the back post, a couple of yards out and he can’t head in. What a chance.
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
16:53 , Matt VerriThe two technical areas, here, are yards from each other - with the fourth official sandwiched in between.
He has just got both barrels from Arteta, who is livid at that tackle on Saka.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:53 , Matt Verri21 mins: Saka skips away from Colwill, the space has opened up... until Colwill wipes him out.
Ugly challenge, not sure why he bothers to complain about the yellow card that follows.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:51 , Matt Verri20 mins: Palmer with a wonderful turn and he’s past Partey. Could play Jackson in down the middle, but it’s wide to Neto instead.
Cross is clipped to the back post, Madueke gets up above Rice but the header is well wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:49 , Matt Verri17 mins: Odegaard down for Arsenal, just about the last thing they need.
Ball bounced up, Caicedo absolutely clatters into Odegaard. Knew what he was doing there.
Just a warning for the Chelsea captain.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:48 , Matt Verri16 mins: Arsenal starting to see more and more of the ball.
Parking themselves in the Chelsea half, but not really looking like creating anything at the moment.
Passing it around in a horseshoe shape.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:46 , Matt Verri14 mins: Cucurella 1-0 Saka.
The Arsenal winger has Cucurella isolated, but he can’t beat him. Saka cuts inside onto his left foot, shot is blocked.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:44 , Matt Verri13 mins: Serious foot race between Fofana and Timber, one the Chelsea man wins.
Havertz very nearly then gets in behind Fofana, not sure the defender was in control of that. Gets away with it, smashing the ball into Havertz and out for a goal kick.
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
16:42 , Matt VerriGreat atmosphere, here.
Chelsea fans properly up for it and a few of their players waving their arms, on occasion, calling for more noise.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:41 , Matt Verri10 mins: Havertz ends up on the floor, Caicedo standing over it shouting and waving his arm. He’s not hugely impressed, it would be fair to say.
Take two - Rice to swing the corner in.
White flicks it on, Saka with the acrobatic effort but he can’t direct it at goal. White’s shot from range is then charged down.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:39 , Matt Verri8 mins: Odegaard slides a pass through to Havertz, who flicks it through to Gabriel... he has somehow popped up as the left winger.
Brazilian does decently to win a corner. First big test for the Chelsea defence.
Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
16:37 , Matt VerriIt’s been a bright start from Chelsea, with Cole Palmer finding space between the lines on more than one occasion.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:37 , Matt Verri5 mins: Arsenal happy enough to let the Chelsea defenders have the ball, not jumping up to press.
But that pass does get through the midfield, Partey all of a sudden charging back to try and slow Palmer down.
Already a couple of times Palmer has been allowed a lot of room.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:34 , Matt Verri3 mins: Palmer tries his luck from 30 yards out and he catches it so sweetly. Raya does well to tip it over, ball was swerving all over the shop.
Arsenal might want to try closing down Chelsea’s best player.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
16:33 , Matt Verri2 mins: Martinelli has his first chance to run, but Caicedo gets across and covers it off, before winning a cheap foul.
He calls for more noise from the Chelsea fans - gets it.
KICK-OFF!
16:31 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running at Stamford Bridge!
Simon Collings at Stamford Bridge
16:31 , Matt VerriA warm embrace between Arteta and Maresca before kick-off.
Two of 'Pep's disciples'.
Here we go!
16:26 , Matt VerriTeams are out at Stamford Bridge.
We’ll have a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off and the Last Post played, it being Remembrance Sunday.
How it stands...
16:24 , Matt VerriA reminder that these sides currently sit level on points, with Chelsea just ahead on goal difference.
Liverpool are 10 points clear of them both, meaning this is a crucial match if either are to maintain a serious title challenge.
Winner of this match would move up to third, only a couple of points behind Manchester City.
Maresca on Palmer and James
16:18 , Matt VerriEnzo Maresca has been explaining his team selection, confirming that Cole Palmer is back to full fitness.
"Cole is ok for sure. He's 100 per cent and he trained with us on Friday,” Maresca said.
On the decision to drop Reece James to the bench, Maresca added: "Reece is fit and we are happy with him.
“Since he came back, he has played all of the Premier League games and today we took a different decision."
Pre-match thoughts from Arteta...
16:12 , Matt VerriNo surprise to see the Arsenal boss smiling as he discusses Martin Odegaard’s timely return.
"Thank you to all the medical staff" ❤️
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 10, 2024
Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal’s medical team as Odegaard and Rice start against Chelsea 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9uAZqcLyQU
Not long now!
16:07 , Matt VerriKick-off coming up in 25 minutes.
Already been a big shock in London this afternoon - Tottenham beaten 2-1 by Ipswich!
Something Arsenal and Chelsea fans can enjoy...
Ready to give our all. pic.twitter.com/42hv82WzLm
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 10, 2024
Chelsea progress under microscope
15:56 , Matt VerriThe visit of Arsenal to Stamford Bridge represents the latest checkpoint for how Chelsea are progressing under Enzo Maresca.
The two sides are level on 18 points in the Premier League, with the Blues narrowly above the Gunners on goal difference after an encouraging start to life under their Italian head coach.
With the Gunners five years further along in their project under Arteta than the Blues are under Maresca, the meeting between two of Pep Guardiola's disciples is a good chance for Chelsea to stress-test how far off the league’s best sides they truly are.
They can take real encouragement from their display at Anfield on October 20, when they dominated possession, had more shots on goal than league leaders Liverpool, and achieved a much higher rate of pass accuracy than their hosts too.
And Chelsea’s first game of the league campaign was an even contest against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge which they lost 2-0.
Patently, the next stage for the Blues is to start taking results from these blockbuster clashes.
Caicedo: We're looking forward to it
15:45 , Matt VerriMoises Caicedo captains Chelsea this afternoon, and he has been speaking ahead of kick-off.
“It’s good proof to show our football,” he says of the test this afternoon.
“We know Arsenal, how they play. We are happy and looking forward to it.
“I’m so happy, but every game I want to show more and more.”
Simon Collings and Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
15:35 , Matt VerriArsenal ten points behind Liverpool - need to cut into that deficit this afternoon.
"An indication of how big a game this is for Arsenal... it feels must-win."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 10, 2024
🗣 @sr_collings and @MalikOuzia_ give their pre-match thoughts on the huge team news at Stamford Bridge.
LIVE: https://t.co/J0IcAH1gJN #CHEARS pic.twitter.com/1pWhJ0SRdp
Maresca sends set-piece warning
15:29 , Matt VerriArsenal’s strength from set-pieces is not exactly a secret, but Enzo Maresca has warned his side they must be ready to deal with that threat.
“Mentally it will be very tough,” he said.
“Set-pieces, they are very good. I watched the Champions League game against Inter Milan, and every corner was smelling of a goal.”
Major boosts for both!
15:22 , Matt VerriMartin Odegaard is fit to start for Arsenal - that’s a huge call from Mikel Arteta.
Says a lot about the Gunners and their struggle for creativity in recent matches that Odegaard has been brought into the starting lineup so soon.
Declan Rice and Kai Havertz also in from the off.
Cole Palmer, meanwhile, is in the starting lineup for Chelsea, overcoming his own injury issues.
Heavyweight clash coming up!
Chelsea team news
15:17 , Matt VerriChelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, James, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga, Fernandez, Joao Felix, Mudryk, Nkunku
Arsenal team news
15:16 , Matt VerriArsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Trossard, Jesus
Stand by..
15:09 , Matt VerriTeam news from Stamford Bridge coming up in the next five minutes.
Martin Odegaard fit to start? Cole Palmer available?
All will be revealed very, very soon.
Arteta sees positives in Inter defeat
15:01 , Matt VerriMikel Arteta fired a warning to Chelsea after Arsenal’s Champions League defeat at Inter Milan on Wednesday night.
The Gunners lost for the first time in Europe this season after Hakan Calhanoglu converted a controversial penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Arteta believes their performance at Inter could be enough to claim what would be a statement win at Stamford Bridge despite a poor run of form.
“If we play the way we play, we‘ll have a big chance to win against Chelsea,” he said. “That’s the way we have to go.
“I told them that I’m proud of them. I haven‘t seen them play in Europe in the manner that we have today.
“We are disappointed because we didn’t get what we wanted out of the game, that’s for sure.”
Stage is set!
14:53 , Matt VerriAll eyes on Stamford Bridge this afternoon...
📍West London. #CFC | #CHEARS pic.twitter.com/YmgKWXPmS2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 10, 2024
Caicedo shows Arsenal what they are missing
14:44 , Matt VerriHad Mikel Arteta got his wish, Arsenal would have been lining up at Stamford Bridge with Moises Caicedo in their side as opposed to coming up against him.
Arsenal were tracking the midfielder when he was at Brighton and before his £115million move to Chelsea last year.
Arsenal swooped for West Ham captain Declan Rice, coughing up £105m, however in a dream scenario they would have signed the England star and Caicedo.
It is not hard to see why Arteta was keen on the idea of partnering the pair, even if pulling off both deals was always going to be difficult.
Arsenal have transformed into a physical team under Arteta and a pairing of Caicedo and Rice, alongside Martin Odegaard, would have tied in with that evolution.
Caicedo struggled at times during his debut season at Chelsea, but he is now flourishing into the player Arsenal and other rival clubs, such as Liverpool, thought he could be.
Henry: Arsenal can't afford to lose
14:37 , Matt VerriThierry Henry fears Arsenal will be out of the title race if they lose to Chelsea.
The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge off the back of three Premier League games without a win and are 10 points off the leaders Liverpool as it stands.
Mikel Arteta’s side have endured a difficult few weeks and suffered another setback as they lost 1-0 to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The clash with Chelsea now feels huge and Henry admits it will “extremely difficult” for Arsenal to stay in the mix for the title if they lose again.
Asked if Arsenal are still title challengers, Henry told CBS Sport: “Right now they’re not they’re not challenging for the league, obviously as you can see the results are not good enough to be able to be at the top… [there’s] still a long way to go.”
Asked if Arsenal will be out of the title race if they lose to Chelsea, Henry said: “I think it will be extremely difficult.
“Why? Because you have too many teams to catch. One team can have a problem, but one or two - we’re going with Liverpool and Man City - I don’t see two teams collapsing. That’s my issue.”
Standard Sport prediction
14:28 , Matt VerriChelsea have impressed against Manchester City and Liverpool, while they really should have beaten Manchester United. While the Gunners aren’t to be discounted, they have been poor of late.
Draw, 1-1.
Arsenal team news
14:20 , Matt VerriArsenal have a decision to make with Martin Odegaard this afternoon.
The Gunners captain made his comeback off the bench against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday and took part in full training on Saturday, as Mikel Arteta weighed up whether to bring him back into his starting XI at Stamford Bridge.
Declan Rice is a doubt after suffering a broken toe in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino are also doubts.
Havertz suffered a blow to head against Inter and needed stitches. Merino was taken off at half-time, with Arteta explaining he had not been feeling well in the build-up to the game.
Arsenal will definitely be without Raheem Sterling on Sunday as he is on loan from Chelsea and therefore unable to play against them.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-4-2): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Saka, Partey, Rice, Martinelli; Havertz, Jesus
Chelsea team news
14:12 , Matt VerriChelsea hope Cole Palmer will be fit to face Arsenal.
Palmer was left with stud marks on his left knee following a wild late lunge from Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United last weekend.
He was unable to train in the week but Enzo Maresca hopes he will be fit, in what would be a major boost for Chelsea.
Jadon Sancho has not played since mid-October because of illness but he could be available.
Speaking on Wednesday, said Maresca: “He [Sancho] is recovering from [illness]. He had a knock in the session. We will see if he is available [against Arsenal] or after the international break.”
Maresca made 11 changes against Noah and will bring back his big guns for what is a huge game.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal
14:05 , Matt VerriTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 4pm GMT ahead of a 4.30pm kick-off.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings at the ground.
Good afternoon!
13:59 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Arsenal!
It’s a huge game in the Premier League, and the final one before the international break.
Arsenal need to get their season back on track, while Chelsea have the chance to show they are firmly in the top-four race this season at the very least.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4:30pm GMT at Stamford Bridge!
