Arteta: “Tough match, but a big chance for us"

Chelsea’s last trip to Emirates Stadium resulted in one of our best performances of 2023/24.

Leandro Trossard opening the scoring inside just four minutes before second-half braces from Ben White and Kai Havertz saw us earn a 5-0 win and derby day delight.

Frank Lampard’s Blues were mid-table at the time, but it was their only defeat in the last 15 Premier League games of the season.

Mikel Arteta isn’t expecting similar scenarios this time though, as we host Enzo Maresca’s side at 1.30pm on Sunday.

“I think it's going to be a very different game,” our manager said in his pre-match press conference. “I think the way they develop as a team as well is very impressive, what they've done on the coaching staff, the amount of talent that they have in the squad.

“So yes, a really tough match, but a big chance for us to win the game.”

This season has been a strange one for Chelsea, who climbed as high as second in the table and stayed there for four matches until losing 2-1 at home to Fulham.

That was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town and, in 2025, our London rivals have won four, drawn two and lost three of their nine league fixtures.

“I think we’re two teams that want to be very dominant in the way of playing, are very aggressive on the high press and the way we have to have the ball,” Mikel added.

“There’s a lot of individual quality on that pitch so it's about imposing what you want and the direction that you want to take the game and keep them very far from their strengths. I think that's going to be a key thing as well.”