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Arsenal vs Chelsea Preview: Injury News, What to Expect & TV Channel
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- Arsenal vs Chelsea Preview: Injury News, What to Expect & TV Channel
Arsenal face their first major test in their title defence on Sunday, as Chelsea make the short trip across London to the Emirates.
The Gunners have taken six points from their first two fixtures, conceding no goals in the process, whilst also allowing just one shot on target from the opposition.
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Things may not have been as comfortable at Villa Park as they were in their opening fixture against Coventry, with Bukayo Saka scoring his second league goal of the season to take all three points in the 1-0 win.
Chelsea have started well under Xabi Alonso, with their attack flowing and grabbing seven goals in two games.
Defensively, The Blues have not looked quite as fluid. Both Premier League wins have been one-goal wins, coming purely from outscoring their opponents.
Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and new signing Morgan Rogers have given Alonso no shortage of attacking options who can change the game. Arsenal's defence has been impeccable so far, but whether t
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Arsenal Team News
Jurrien Timber could return to thesquad against Chelsea after stepping up his recovery over the past few weeks. Mikel Arteta said the defender is in good condition, with a final decision to be made after Saturday's training session.
Bruno Guimaraes is also being assessed after picking up a knock during the win at Aston Villa after making his competitive debut in the final 30 minutes of the match. The midfielder missed the open training session Arsenal held on Thursday.
Arsenal hope the Brazil international will be able to train on Saturday, while Cristhian Mosquera will also be checked after his withdrawal at Villa Park was described as precautionary. The defender started against Aston Villa but came off late after feeling some discomfort. Arteta initially downplayed the injury after the game, but the Spaniard was absent from Arsenal's open training session on Thursday.
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Ezri Konsa is available if Arteta needs to make a change in central defence.
Arsenal Team News: Jurrien Timber Boost as Arteta Gives Guimaraes, Mosquera and Saliba Updates
William Saliba remains out, and Arsenal still do not have a firm timescale for his return, although Arteta said his recovery has been progressing positively.
Chelsea Form and Team News
Chelsea come into this one with three wins from three in all competitions, and goals have not been in short supply during Xabi Alonso's early weeks.
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The 4-3 win over Brighton summed up their start. Chelsea raced into a three-goal lead inside half an hour through Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro, with Cole Palmer adding a fourth, but Brighton stayed in the game and kept it alive until the final whistle.
Moises Caicedo remains the main fitness concern.
The midfielder missed Chelsea's opening two matches before returning from the bench against Brighton, only to come off again after 13 minutes with the same issue he had already been managing.
Alonso said Chelsea will make a final decision on Caicedo after Saturday's training session, so his involvement at the Emirates remains uncertain.
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Emmanuel Emegha is also still working his way back after an injury disrupted his pre-season following his summer move from Strasbourg. The striker has yet to make his competitive Chelsea debut.
Jordan Henderson has not featured yet either as he continues his recovery from the injury suffered during the World Cup.
Marco Palestra is also on the comeback trail after missing the start of the league campaign.
Chelsea's midfield looks different since these sides last met, with Enzo Fernandez completing a £125 million move to Manchester City on deadline day.
What to Expect
After two rounds, the contrast between these teams could hardly be clearer.
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Arsenal have scored four and kept two clean sheets. Chelsea have hit seven but let in five at the other end.
Arteta's side showed patience at Villa Park, content to protect a narrow lead once ahead. Chelsea, by contrast, have been involved in end-to-end contests, with 12 goals shared in their first two league games.
That could open the door for Saka if Arsenal can isolate him against Chelsea's left side, while Eze's lively showing at Villa gives Arteta something to ponder on the other flank.
Chelsea , though, have plenty of firepower themselves. Palmer remains the creative heartbeat, with Rogers and Joao Pedro adding extra quality in support.
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Recent history also leans in Arsenal's favour. Chelsea have not won at the Emirates since August 2021. Arsenal beat them 2-1 at home in the Premier League last March, with William Saliba and Timber scoring, after the sides had drawn 1-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.
The Gunners also got the better of Chelsea over two legs in last season's Carabao Cup semi-final.
When Is Arsenal vs Chelsea?
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, September 6, with kick-off at 4.30pm BST.
It's the first and last fixture Arsenal host at the Emirates in September, with a tour of England and Europe ahead of them, before their return to North London to welcome Leeds in October.
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How to Watch Arsenal vs Chelsea
The game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports.
Sky Go subscribers can also stream the match, while it is available through NOW with the relevant Sports membership.
In the United States, the game will be shown live on USA Network.
Prediction
Chelsea's attack will pose a threat Arsenal's defence are yet to face this season. A new central defensive partnership of Konsa and Gabriel will need to click quickly to keep Chelsea at bay.
However, Chelsea's defensive record is hard to ignore. Five goals conceded in two league games is an opportunity for the Gunners when they welcome them to the Emirates, with Saka in form and Eze pushing for a starting spot,
Arsenal have shown they can win in different ways, and they are yet to concede.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
