Arsenal vs Chelsea – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Mikel Arteta’s side look to stretch lead at the top of the table

No Cole Palmer then, Blues fans may hope they don’t get a penalty…

If they do, who will take it? I think we will see a Royal Rumble-style fight if they are awarded one.

Noni Madueke? Nicolas Jackson? Any other takers?

Did any of you expect to see Thomas Partey starting tonight?

The Arsenal midfielder has found time on the pitch hard to come by this season, it’s only his second league start in eight months.

He’s missed the majority of this season through injury, but now is his chance to make a statement.

He was pivotal for them last season, can he show that form again tonight.

Here is the confirmation, no Cole Palmer for Chelsea.

Mykhailo Mudryk is indeed the man who gets the nod to replace him tonight, he’s one of four changes from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.

Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Alfie Gilchrist are the other three changes, a new look defence.

It’s a big night for Thomas Partey!

Mikel Arteta has made two changes to the Arsenal side that came out 2-0 winners against Wolves on Saturday.

Partey is one of those, he comes in for Gabriel Jesus as Kai Havertz moves back up top.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also fit to start, Jakub Kiwior drops to the bench.

Anonymous: No Palmer, no hope…play Mudryk behind Jackson, Sterling on left, Madueke on right, drop Enzo Fernandez, and move Gallagher alongside Caicedo.

This Chelsea fan knows what they want to see, but they certainly aren’t confident…

The Chelsea team have arrived to do battle with Arsenal.

The players are looking steely-eyed and focused as they enter the dressing room, ready for the big night ahead.

However, according to reports, one member of the squad did not come off the team bus – Cole Palmer. He must still be feeling the effects of his illness.

It will be interesting to see Chelsea’s side, who will start?

Arsenal have been by far and away the hardest side to break down in the Premier League this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have kept 15 clean sheets in the league, five more than any other team. They also have seven in their last 10 league matches.

The Chelsea forwards could have a tough night in store for them at the Emirates.

However, Aston Villa did show the Gunners can be got at…

The Gunners are in the building.

Look at the smiles on all of their faces, they certainly look happy to be back home after their win at Wolves.

I always wonder if players should look more relaxed or focused before a game? I guess every person is different.

Will they be smiling come 10pm?

Right, it’s time that we hear from you.

If Cole Palmer is indeed unfit to face Arsenal tonight, who should come into the Chelsea starting line-up to replace him?

Could Mauricio Pochettino play Conor Gallagher behind the striker and bring in Mykhailo Mudryk on the left? What about Raheem Sterling?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea boss, speaking on Monday:

It is a good challenge if [Cole] Palmer is not available tomorrow. It’s a good challenge for his teammates or those in a similar position. If I were them, I would be motivated to go there tomorrow and show that this is Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club.

Chelsea fans, I know this is something you didn’t want to have to see again.

Cole Palmer, by far Chelsea’s standout player this season, is unlikely to feature tonight against Arsenal due to ‘illness’, Mauricio Pochettino revealed yesterday.

It’s a major blow to the Blues, who have relied on Palmer on numerous occasions throughout the campaign. He always seems to dig them out of a hole.

The 21-year-old has had a sensational season, one many people didn’t expect, he’s netted 20 Premier League goals so far and sits top of the scoring charts alongside former Manchester City teammate, Erling Haaland. Palmer has also bagged a nifty nine league assists this campaign.

It’s fair to say he will be a miss if he is not involved this evening, but Mauricio Pochettino sees it as a chance for other members of the squad to step up.

You’ll see what the Chelsea boss had to say in the next post…

The Emirates Stadium is not a happy hunting ground for Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentinian manager has been involved in several high-octane matches with the Gunners at their stomping ground, mainly during his time as the boss of their bitter rivals Tottenham.

However, Pochettino has never actually won a Premier League game on any of his visits to the Emirates with Southampton or Spurs, drawing four and losing three of his seven matches there.

I bet he thinks it’s time for that statistic to be rewritten.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, speaking on Monday:

There is so much at stake. We will try to be as fresh as possible but certainly, I think we can cope with that. When I saw them this morning, I had to stop them because winning is a big boost of energy. After winning against Wolves and having to play a London derby everyone is ready. We have to think and feel that we are fresh to play in the best possible way.

On how Mauricio Pochettino influenced him:

For sure. One of the most, I would say. I was 17 or 18 years old in Paris, I was thrown into Paris and it was in January, I think, with no experience of professional football and he doesn’t like me saying it, but he was like a father to me.

He took me under his arm, he gave me incredible advice, he really helped me, he inspired me and I learned so much from our two years there together and, from there, we maintained that relationship. I knew he was going to be a coach; I admire him a lot for what he’s done in his career and he’s always someone that I look to because he was really impactful for me probably at the most important stage of my professional career.

I know many of you think the title race is already over, but don’t count your chickens just yet.

This week is another pivotal week in the race for English football’s top prize as all three sides play twice. Any more slip-ups from Arsenal or Liverpool and it may be over.

With their win away at Wolves on Saturday night, the Gunners returned to the Premier League summit, due to Manchester City’s exploits in the FA Cup.

Arsenal are currently level on points with Liverpool but have a better goal difference, and with three points tonight, they will go three clear at the top, and four ahead of City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side will have two games in hand.

You know what they say though, sometimes it’s better to have the points in the bag.

I warned you, there are more coming.

Chelsea have been hit in the face by several blows this season, and when they were 11th in the table just a few weeks ago, battered and bruised from a brutal season.

However, it seems like their cut man has worked some magic in between fights because Mauricio Pochettino’s men are on an eight-match unbeaten run, winning four of those games.

Their turn-up in form has propelled them back into contention for a place in the Europa Conference League next season, something not many foresaw last month.

Tonight, they face a huge battle with heavy-hitters Arsenal, who they have not laid a glove on too many times in recent years. They’ll be hoping that changes tonight.

Right, I’ve made my point now. That’s the end of the boxing puns… I promise.

When I typed the sub-heading, I imagined it in the voice of Michael Buffer.

In the red corner, we have Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal who are still looking to throw haymakers in their pursuit of Premier League glory.

The Gunners still have a fighting chance of lifting the title come the end of the campaign, but they will need to land a knockout blow on Chelsea tonight if they are to stay in the hunt.

Many people thought their race was run after their 2-0 loss to Aston Villa last time out at the Emirates, but I think those opinions were rather premature.

There seems to be renewed optimism that the three-way scrap for the title is still ongoing after the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Wolves and Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Fulham. The fight’s not over yet.

I apologise for all the boxing puns, but just like Arsenal’s title hopes, they aren’t quite finished.

I know there are a lot of London derbies in the Premier League, but this has to be one of the biggest.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea aren’t particularly fond of each other, and an Arsenal fan I know just reminded me of his very strong dislike for the Blues…

I remember the days when both sides were battling for titles with the likes of Thierry Henry coming up against John Terry, what a battle that was.

The game might not be quite as impactful on the league anymore as back in the day, but it’s still a must-watch.

Arsenal should bring the game to Chelsea, the pressure is on them after all and they are the favourites, but Chelsea certainly have the attacking prowess to cause them problems.

I’m already licking my lips at the prospect of this match, and I bet both sides are feeling the same. I’m sure the fans might not be feeling so excited though, I bet the nerves are starting to appear.

Just the two hours to go!

As The Clash sing in their 1979 classic, London’s calling.

A huge evening in the capital is in store tonight as each point means more than ever in the battle for the title and Europe.

Arsenal are still well and truly in this three-pronged title race, and if they are to fight Manchester City until the very end, nothing less than three points will do tonight.

The Gunners face a Chelsea side who are in a fight of their own, as they battle for a place in Europe next season. Three points for the Blues would see them leapfrog Manchester United into seventh.

There is so much on the line this time of the season, and I’m sure we will see that in the performances from both sides. Every night is a huge one during the run-in.

Right, I can’t wait any longer, let’s get this show on the road!