Chelsea v Arsenal: Are Cole Palmer and Declan Rice fit to play this Sunday?

Summary

Ahead of the Super Sunday clash between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, both teams are in critical form. Arsenal, struggling with recent defeats, face fitness concerns with key players like Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. Mikel Arteta emphasizes the importance of the game, aiming to turn around the team’s momentum. Chelsea, on the rise under Mauricio Pochettino, are looking to make a statement. Both managers acknowledge the intense competition in the Premier League, with Arteta focusing on perfection to close the gap to the leaders, and Pochettino expressing confidence in Chelsea's ability to compete with the best.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mikel Arteta is upbeat ahead of Arsenal's crucial Super Sunday clash with Chelsea, despite injury concerns in his squad.
• 😀 Declan Rice is a doubt for the match due to a foot injury, and his fitness will be assessed over the next 48 hours.
• 😀 Martin Ødegaard has returned to action after missing several weeks and could potentially start against Chelsea.
• 😀 Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, who sustained knocks to the head, are expected to be available for selection.
• 😀 Arsenal's recent form has been a concern, with only one point from the last nine available, following an early strong start to the season.
• 😀 Arteta remains confident that Arsenal can still compete for the title despite their recent setbacks, citing the competitive nature of the Premier League.
• 😀 Arteta emphasizes the need for 'perfection' to keep up in the title race, acknowledging that top teams will likely drop points.
• 😀 Chelsea, despite mixed results, feel they can compete with any team and are eager to challenge Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
• 😀 Mauricio Pochettino is confident in his team’s ability to win, highlighting Chelsea's improvements under his management.
• 😀 Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is set to return to action after being selected for the England squad, offering a boost to Pochettino’s plans.
• 😀 The match is vital for both teams, with Arsenal potentially falling further behind the title race if they fail to win, especially if Liverpool and Manchester City secure victories.

Q & A

What is the significance of Arsenal's upcoming match against Chelsea?

The match is significant because Arsenal is trying to bounce back from a recent slump in form, having earned just one point from their last three Premier League games. It is a crucial game that could impact their title hopes, especially with the gap between them and the leaders growing.

What are the latest injury updates from Mikel Arteta regarding key Arsenal players?

Mikel Arteta confirmed that Declan Rice, who missed the Champions League match against Inter Milan due to a foot injury, is in contention to play against Chelsea, though his situation will be assessed over the next 48 hours. Martin Ødegaard, who had not played since late August, made a brief appearance against Inter Milan and is also in contention to start. Both Kai Havertz and Mikel Marino, who sustained head knocks, are expected to be available for the Chelsea game.

What did Mikel Arteta say about Arsenal's recent form and the competition in the Premier League?

Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal's recent form hasn't been ideal, with only one point from the last nine available. However, he stressed that the competition in the Premier League is fierce, with teams that aren't expected to win regularly upsetting the bigger sides. He also mentioned that all top teams are likely to drop points as the season progresses.

How does Arteta plan to address Arsenal's recent dip in form?

Arteta expressed optimism about turning around Arsenal's form, emphasizing that the team is full of belief and hunger to improve. He mentioned having met with the players to discuss how they can bounce back, and although Arsenal can't travel to Dubai as they did last season, the team is working harder than ever to get back to winning ways.

What did Mikel Arteta say about the psychological aspect of the team's mindset?

Arteta highlighted the positive attitude and togetherness of the squad. He noted that even when facing tough moments, the players remain motivated and are constantly looking for ways to improve. He emphasized that the team is determined to continue competing at a high level and that the players' belief in their ability is a source of joy for him.

How important is the Chelsea match for Arsenal's title hopes?

The Chelsea match is crucial for Arsenal’s title aspirations. If Liverpool and Manchester City win their respective matches on Saturday, Arsenal would be 10 points behind the leaders and 8 points behind City before playing at Stamford Bridge, making it increasingly difficult to close the gap.

What has Arteta said about the challenge of competing in the Premier League this season?

Arteta acknowledged the growing intensity in the Premier League, with teams facing more challenging schedules and higher competition. He pointed out that maintaining consistency and perfection is key to winning the title, as no team has shown superiority over others, with margins in games becoming very narrow.

How has Chelsea's performance under Mauricio Pochettino impacted Arsenal's upcoming game?

Chelsea, under Mauricio Pochettino, has shown significant improvement, and Arteta has been impressed with their development. This makes the match even more challenging for Arsenal, as Chelsea is a team on the rise and could present a tough test at Stamford Bridge.

What did Enzo Maresca say about Chelsea’s chances against Arsenal?

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's assistant manager, emphasized the importance of performance over results. While he would love to win against Arsenal, he believes that Chelsea’s ability to compete with top teams like Arsenal is a positive sign, noting that Chelsea is improving and can challenge for victories against any team.

How do both Arsenal and Chelsea approach the pressure of the upcoming game?

Both managers, Arteta and Maresca, acknowledge the pressure of the game but handle it differently. Arteta remains focused on winning and improving his team’s performance, while Maresca sees the pressure as an opportunity for Chelsea to prove themselves against a strong opponent like Arsenal.