Arsenal vs Chelsea: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries

Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates on Sunday (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Arsenal face another huge test in their Premier League title chase when they host Chelsea this weekend

After recent wobbles against Brentford and Wolves , the Gunners got firmly back on track with another thumping derby victory over Tottenham.

Mikel Arteta and his squad have had a rare week off from games to rest and recover ahead of the visit of the Blues and will hope the remaining injury concerns within the squad will have eased by Sunday.

Bukayo Saka started on Sunday but was forced off in injury time after a tangle with Xavi Simons. The England international required some treatment before gingerly leaving the pitch.

Arteta is expected to provide an update on Saka when he speaks to the press on Friday but the Arsenal boss did not mention any injury after the Spurs game, suggesting the issue was a minor one.

Martin Odegaard also made his return from a latest knock off the bench in north London and will be hoping to regain his place in the side.

Kai Havertz’s latest injury setback was not thought to be serious but it did rule him out of the squad last weekend. The Germany international is in contention to return to the squad for the visit of Liam Rosenior’s side.

Saka limped off late on against Spurs (Picture: Getty)

Ben White is another who missed the derby after picking up a ‘niggle’ in training.

Mikel Merino meanwhile could have no further role to play this season after undergoing foot surgery earlier this month.

Chelsea will have their captain Reece James available for the trip across the capital.

The right-back came off late on against Burnley, the first time he has started a league match since the win over Crystal Palace on 25 January, but Rosenior eased any fresh injury fears over his skipper later that afternoon.

Cucurella recovering from a hamstring injury (Picture: Getty)

Marc Cucurella has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and remains a doubt heading into the weekend. Both Jorrel Hato and Malo Gusto have filled in during his absence with both in contention to fill the void at left-back again at the Emirates.

Chelsea have been sweating on the fitness of Estevao Willan after a hamstring injury ruled him out of last week’s draw with the Clarets.

The Brazil international was scheduled to undergo further scans this week with Rosenior expected to provide an update on Friday.

Wesley Fofana meanwhile will sit the game out after he became the latest Chelsea player to see red against Burnley.

Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill remain absent.

Arteta’s biggest dilemma will be to stick with Eze or restore Odegaard to his midfield.

The battle in the middle of the park against Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos may suit the skipper more, but can the manager drop Eze after two goals against Spurs?

With doubts remaining over Cucurella and Fofana suspended, Rosenior will be without half his regular back four. Tosin Adarabioyo is in line to replace the Frenchman at centre-half while Gusto’s experience may see him given the nod at left-back.