CHELSEA host Arsenal in a blockbuster Premier League clash TODAY.
The Blues will be aiming to bounce back in the Premier League after suffering a 4-1 loss at manager Graham Potter's former side Brighton last time out in the top-flight.
While the Gunners thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium to sail back to the top of the league . However, now only a victory at Stamford Bridge will see them leapfrog Man City to first place.
- Kick-off time: 12pm UK Time
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 1 / BT Sport's website
- Chelsea XI: To follow.
- Arsenal XI: To follow.
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- Kieran Davies
Boss talks about Arsenal challenge
Graham Potter discussed his side’s home form against their North London rivals:
Recently, it hasn't gone so well if I'm not mistaken, so we have to do better there. It's a London derby and anything can happen in the game. We want to be positive, play well and get the crowd involved in the game.
Graham PotterChelsea
- Kieran Davies
Gunners enjoying West London outing
Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to two consecutive triumphs at Stamford Bridge in the last two seasons.
The Gunners are aiming to win three successive Premier League London derbies away from home without conceding for the very first time.
Arsenal were the most recent team to overcome Chelsea on their own patch and Stamford Bridge has been a happy hunting ground in recent years.
- Kieran Davies
Potter needing to work magic
It has been a strange week for The Blues after they were hammered 4-1 at Brighton last weekend before being made to work hard for a 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb at home in midweek.
Graham Potter chose to pick a strong starting line-up against Zagreb despite the fact that they had already sealed their place as group winners.
Now they will look to build on that and get back to winning ways in the league.
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge today as they find themselves 10 points behind their North London rivals after only 12 games this season.
The Blues will be without long-term absentees Wesley Fofana and Reece James as well as midfield duo N’Golo Kante (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (hamstring).
Ben Chilwell came off against Dinamo Zagreb with a hamstring injury and further scans have showed a significant hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar.
Graham Potter has already ruled out Kepa Arrizabalaga out of contention too so Edouard Mendy will keep his place in goal and Mateo Kovacic should be fine to return after missing out as a precaution in midweek with a tight calf.
Despite Zakaria’s debut going so well, Potter is unlikely to hand him his Premier League debut against The Gunners, so Kovacic is likely to slot back in.
As for Arsenal, fans witnessed the familiar yet painful sight of Takehiro Tomiyasu coming off injured in the dying moments of the Zurich game.
The severity of the defender’s muscular issue is still unclear, but it would be a shock to see him play today.
Emile Smith-Rowe is still out after undergoing groin surgery and a problem in the same area could also force Matt Turner out of contention.
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