We make the short trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea this Sunday, November 30 (4.30pm), looking to extend our six-point lead over the Blues at the top of the Premier League table.
After our 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, we’re on a 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions, conceding just six goals on that run.
Our record against Chelsea in recent years has been positive, with eight wins and just one defeat in our last 12 meetings, although we have been held on each of our last two trips to Stamford Bridge.
blues sparking title talk
After a mixed start to the season, Chelsea have found a purple patch through October and November, winning nine of their last 11 games, including five of their last six in the Premier League, taking them above Manchester City into second place.
The Blues’ positive form has also seen them move into the top eight in the league phase of the Champions League after thrashing Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Enzo Maresca’s side have performed well in London derbies this season, taking 11 points from their five derbies so far; we have gone one better with a maximum 12 points from four games against sides from the capital.
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what the managers say
Arteta: What they have done in the last few years, I think the squad that have assembled, the numbers that they have, the amount of quality, the manager and the coaching staff that they have, it makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive and they deserve to be there.
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Maresca: “For sure, they defend fantastically. Many teams against them struggle to score goals, even to create chances. They defend very well. Then, they are ruthless when attacking. At the moment they are top in the Premier League and Champions League, and we will try our best to win the game.”
team news
After going off in the first half against Bayern Munich, Leandro Trossard is undergoing further tests ahead of this weekend’s crunch fixture.
Mikel also confirmed that strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are getting closer to returning to fitness and that he was positive about their recoveries.
As for the visitors, Cole Palmer has returned to training, having not featured for the Blues since September 20 against Manchester United. Midfielders Romeo Lavia and Dário Essugo remain out, with defender Levi Colwill a longer-term absentee after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
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Arteta’s update on Trossard and Brazilian duo
talking tactics
Previewing this weekend’s match, Adrian Clarke said: “Boasting the highest XG in the Premier League this season, we will face a very attack-minded Chelsea side this time around. Elevated by some new and exciting young forwards, Enzo Maresca’s men will be ambitious in their approach whenever they get inside our half.
“It’s a quick attack, so the Blues tend to thrive best when there is space to run into. So, with that in mind we may want to avoid turning this into a thrilling, end-to-end basketball match. Defending a bit deeper than usual could be the right ploy here, as they have struggled to break down that type of tactic.
“Teenage talent Estevao has to be respected. He can strike the ball beautifully off both feet and is one of the division’s best dribblers, ranking second behind Jeremy Doku with 3.71 successful dribbles per 90 minutes. Proving he can deliver the right pass too, he is also neck and neck with Bukayo Saka for chances created in open play. Left back Riccardo Calafiori will need to defend well against the 18-year-old.
“Fast starts are something else we need to be watchful of. Chelsea have scored first in eight of their 12 Premier League games. In all competitions, Maresca’s men have actually opened the scoring in 12 consecutive games! So, keeping them quiet early on will be of paramount importance.
“Chelsea’s weaknesses are at the back. They do not have a settled rearguard, and aside from their excellent left back Marc Cucurella, none of the defensive players have delivered consistent performances this season. Clever movement and slick interplay has the potential to cause them major issues.
“While their XG Against tally of 14.27 is good, Opta do suggest they have conceded more than three fewer goals than they should have done. They are yet to face any of the top four either.
“The Moises Caicedo-Declan Rice central midfield duel is a tactical battle I cannot wait to watch unfold. Both are in magnificent form, so the one who shines brightest is bound to have a major influence on the outcome.”
facts and stats
Chelsea have lost two of their last four Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, as many defeats as they’d had in their previous 28 home league matches.
We have won 11 and drawn eight of our last 20 Premier League away games, and are unbeaten in our last nine London derbies away from home in the Premier League.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League London derbies, but their most recent defeat came against us at Emirates Stadium in March.
We are unbeaten in our last six league visits to Stamford Bridge; only ourselves (9) and Blackburn Rovers (10) have managed longer unbeaten streaks away to the Blues.
Chelsea have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against us, and haven’t won any of the last seven.
Across all competitions, we have won 16 of the 17 games in which we’ve taken the lead, and all 15 where we’ve scored the opening goal.
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match officials
Anthony Taylor will take charge of our contest against Chelsea. The 47-year-old is joined by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn as his assistants. Sam Barrott will be the fourth official, with John Brooks on VAR and Eddie Smart the assistant VAR at Stockley Park.
We last saw the Manchester-born referee in our 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage in October. He was the referee in our last two cup final triumphs over Chelsea in 2017 and 2020.
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn
Fourth Official: Sam Barrott
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
Last time out: Merino’s header sinks Blues
Our last meeting with Chelsea came at Emirates Stadium in March, with Mikel Merino’s header securing a 1-0 victory over our London rivals.
Earlier last season, in November 2024, we drew 1-1 with Enzo Maresca’s side, after Pedro Neto’s equaliser cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal.
live coverage
This season, Live From N5 is the place to be for live commentary of all our men’s first-team games across 2025/26.
Tune in 15 minutes before kick-off to hear Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke talk you through Sunday’s derby from Stamford Bridge.
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