Arsenal host Chelsea in a midweek London derby in the Premier League tonight. The Gunners have the chance to move four points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League table, but the Blues and Mauricio Pochettino will be out to deny the hosts and land a blow in the title race.
Chelsea have won the Premier League five times since Arsenal last won the title 20 years ago, but Mikel Arteta’s side are set to finish above the Blues for the second consecutive year and can add further disappointment to their difficult season with a victory tonight. Chelsea were beaten in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, despite being the better side against Manchester City, as missed chances cost Pochettino’s side once again.
The visitors could be without star forward and the Premier League’s top scorer Cole Palmer tonight, while Arsenal will be looking to build on Saturday’s win at Wolves. Arteta’s side were facing the prospect of another late-season slump after back-to-back defeats to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, and tonight is a must-win for the Gunners as they look to put pressure on champions Manchester City.
Follow live updates from Arsenal vs Chelsea in tonight’s live blog below and get the latest match odds and tips, here
Mikel Arteta says Mauricio Pochettino was ‘like a father’ to him as young player
Arteta played alongside the Chelsea boss at Paris Saint-Germain before their rise as coaches in Europe’s top divisions.
The Arsenal manager talked up the influence Pochettino had on him as a player, admitting he was inspired by the Argentinian as a teenager.
Mike Jones23 April 2024 15:04
Arsenal vs Chelsea match officials
Simon Hooper will officiate tonight’s game, which will be his 22nd Premier League match this season.
His last involvement in an Arsenal game was in a 2-1 win away to Nottingham Forest in January, one of four wins they have claimed in the six matches he has been appointed to.
Meanwhile Chelsea have lost both times he has overseen them this term – a 2-0 home loss to Brentford and a 4-1 reverse at Newcastle when he sent off Reece James.
Referee: Simon Hooper Assistants: Adrian Holmes and Simon Long Fourth official: Graham Scott VAR: Peter Bankes Assistant VAR: Simon Bennett
Mike Jones23 April 2024 14:56
Pochettino addresses Cole Palmer’s potential absence
Mauricio Pochettino has bigged up Chelsea’s chances of beating Arsenal this evening with or without Cole Palmer who is a doubt for the game.
“With or without Cole we always believe we can win,” said Pochettino, “The most important thing is the team and the collective. He is an important part of the team and is doing fantastic for us, but we are Chelsea and we have plenty of players that can perform and do the job.
“It is a good challenge in case Palmer is not available. It’s a good challenge for the teammates. If I am a teammate of Cole Palmer in his position or a similar position, I am going to be motivated to go there tomorrow and show this is Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club.”
Mike Jones23 April 2024 14:49
Arteta on Chelsea’s improvements
Mikel Arteta spoke about Arsenal’s opponents tonight and explained how he feels the Blues have developed over the course of the season.
The Arsenal manager said: “They have made huge improvements. I think they deserve to be in a much higher position in the league, when you look at what they’ve done and what they’ve produced in games – they’ve reached a final, they’ve reached a semi-final, they could have been through.
“I think what Mauricio is doing is really impressive, so I’m sure that he’s going to get them there.
“I think the journey of [us and Chelsea] are very, very different. Nothing to compare in my opinion. It’s a huge admiration for Mauricio because I’ve known him since 23 years ago and I really wish him all the best.
“He’s an incredible manager, he’s a huge leader and he will inspire the club to get what they want to get, that’s for sure.”
Mike Jones23 April 2024 14:42
Cole Palmer a doubt for Chelsea’s London derby showdown with Arsenal
Cole Palmer is a major doubt for tonight’s Premier League encounter with Arsenal after the Chelsea forward missed Monday’s training with illness.
Palmer is in the midst of a stunning season for the Blues with 20 Premier League goals – joint top with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland – and nine assists from 28 games.
The 21-year-old scored four goals in Chelsea’s last league match, a 6-0 win over Everton, and played in the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City on Saturday. He got through the full 90 minutes at Wembley despite picking up an early knock and playing with some strapping on his thigh.
But Palmer could be missing from Mauricio Pochettino’s team when they take on title challengers Arsenal in a London derby at the Emirates Stadium, after falling unwell.
Mike Jones23 April 2024 14:35
Arsenal vs Chelsea prediction
Arsenal will push hard not to drop points in the title race and it will be too much for a Chelsea side still reeling from being knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Mike Jones23 April 2024 14:27
Can Chelsea earn European football?
As for Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino’s team can still end the season in the European places despite a topsy-turvy year which has seen them play far below their expected levels.
They are within reach of sixth-placed Newcastle United and could draw level on points with the Magpies if they win at the Emirates tonight. Not only that but victory would massively dent the hopes of their London rivals who are trying to win the league.
A win for Pochettino’s side would show that the manager is beginning to imprint his style onto the young squad and it would leave Chelsea in a strong position looking towards next season.
Mike Jones23 April 2024 14:19
Arsenal maintain hopes of winning Premier Legaue title
With the season drawing ever closer to the finishing line, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool are all fighting to win the Premier League title and the Gunners have the chance to go three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday night.
A win over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium would take them up to 77 points ahead of Liverpool’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday and Manchester City’s trip to Brighton on Thursday.
With a north London derby against Tottenham on the horizon, Mikel Arteta will know that his team cannot afford any slip ups this evening if they hope to maintain their title challenge.
Mike Jones23 April 2024 14:12
Arsenal vs Chelsea tips: Premier League prediction, football betting odds & free bets
Arsenal kick-off a week of London derbies with a visit from Chelsea on Tuesday, knowing a win would keep the pressure on their Premier League title rivals (8pm, TNT Sports 1).
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are all in action this mid-week, but Mikel Arteta’s men play before the other two, who face tricky away assignments at Everton and Brighton respectively.
A 13th home win of the season, therefore, feels like a must for the Gunners, especially with a trip to Tottenham to come on Sunday for the north London derby.
Jamie Braidwood23 April 2024 14:05
Arsenal vs Chelsea team news and predicted line-ups
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard
Chelsea XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Gallagher, Jackson
Jamie Braidwood23 April 2024 14:04
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