Lineups, team news, confirmed starting teams as Palmer is absent

Chelsea will move three points behind second-placed Arsenal if they beat the Gunners for the first time in seven attempts when the teams meet at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Blues, who last won the fixture with a 2-0 away victory in August 2021, began the weekend two points above Manchester City and Newcastle and three clear of Brighton & Hove Albion.

With 10 games of their league season remaining, Arsenal’s prospects of overtaking leaders Liverpool are vanishingly slim after dropping points for a third successive match with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United last Sunday.

You can follow the action with 101GreatGoals.com’s live updates from Arsenal v Chelseaand we have you covered for the line-ups, team news and confirmed starting sides.

The Arsenal 🫡

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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2025

Arsenal lineup v Chelsea

Raheem Sterling set up both of Arsenal’s goals at home to PSV but the on-loan forward will not play against his parent club.

Playmaker Bukayo Saka is making good progress on his return from a hamstring injury, while striker Kai Havertz remains out.

Arteta says he will manage attacker Gabriel Martinelli’s minutes and the Brazil attacker returns from injury in the staring line-up.

Mikel Merino – usually a midfielder – continues in his forward role, while full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly also comes in.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Martinelli, Merino

Arsenal subs: Neto, tierney, white, kiwior, zinchenko, calafiori, butler-oydeji, nwaneeri

Chelsea have arrived. 🫡#CFC | #Arsche pic.twitter.com/sVkWhYDabw

– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) March 16, 2025

Chelsea lineup v Arsenal

Chelsea top scorer Cole Palmer is not in their matchday squad. Manager Enzo Maresca said the England international had been ill but asked to play in their 1-0 home win over Leicester City last Sunday.

Robert Sanchez replaces Filip Jorgensen in goal as part of a “flexible” approach by Maresca. The Italian is hopeful that forwards Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson will return on April 3 at home to Tottenham.

Defender Wesley Fofana starts and midfielder Romeo Lavia is on the bench. The pair did not feature in the 1-0 Conference League home win over Copenhagen on Thursday because they are not registered for the competition.

Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez, James, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Nkunku, Sancho, Neto

Chelsea subs: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Adarabioyo, Dewsbury-Hall, Chalobah, Gusto, George, Acheampong, Lavia