Arsenal and Chelsea meet in another all-London thriller at the Emirates this weekend.
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United all but ended the Gunners’ hopes of chasing down Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Four points separate Arsenal from third place Nottingham Forest with a host of sides battling for fourth spot, currently occupied by Chelsea who are back to winning ways after a recent wobble.
Mikel Arteta has been without his first choice front three since December but the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching with Bukayo Saka expected to be available again following the March international break.
Gabriel Martinelli meanwhile was back among the subs at Old Trafford and could come back into the side against Chelsea.
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The Brazilian came off the bench against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night for the final 11 minutes as the Gunners confirmed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Mikel Merino or Ethan Nwaneri will likely lead the line with Raheem Sterling ineligible to face his parent club.
While Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out for the season, Arsenal have an otherwise clean bill of health and had the luxury of resting Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard against PSV having put seven past the Dutch side in the first leg last week.
Chelsea also have business to wrap up against Copenhagen in the Europa Conference on Thursday night.
Like Arsenal, they are also waiting until after the March international break to bring back some of their key options in attack with Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke expected to be ready for visit of Tottenham on 3 April.
Cole Palmer meanwhile was subbed off after 73 minutes in Sunday’s win over Leicester having struggled with illness ahead of kick-off having missed a penalty earlier in the game.
The England international is on a run of nine games without a goal but will hope to end that barren run against the Gunners.
Reece James also missed the Leicester game through illness with Wesley Fofana shifted into right-back with Malo Gusto also ruled out through injury that afternoon.
James and Palmer were both back in training on Tuesday along with Christopher Nkunku.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face Chelsea
Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Arsenal
Jorgensen, James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku, Neto
Where to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea? Kick-off time and TV channel
Arsenal vs Chelsea kicks off at 1:30pm on Sunday 16 March.
Live coverage will be available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. You can also stream the match via the Sky Go app and NOW TV.
