Get ready for a thrilling Premier League showdown as Arsenal takes on Chelsea! But here's a twist: the starting lineups have just been revealed, and they're packed with surprises.
Arsenal's Big Decision at No.10
Mikel Arteta's choice at the No.10 position is a real head-scratcher. While Martin Odegaard was expected to return from a knee injury, Arteta has opted for Eberechi Eze, who's riding high on confidence after his double in the North London derby. But here's where it gets controversial: Odegaard isn't even on the bench!
Eze will be hoping to continue his hot streak and prove Arteta's faith is well-placed.
Havertz Returns, Gyokeres Leads the Line
Kai Havertz, a familiar face to Chelsea fans, is back in the squad to face his former club. Arteta confirmed Havertz's return to training on Saturday. Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres, who scored a brilliant brace against Spurs, retains his place up front, leading an unchanged Arsenal attack.
Defensive Decisions
In defense, Piero Hincapie continues to shine, keeping his spot at left-back over Riccardo Calafiori. Ben White, unfortunately, is still out due to an injury, with Arteta offering little clarity on his return. Max Dowman, recovering from an ankle ligament injury, played for the Under-21s on Friday night.
The Arsenal XI
Arsenal's starting XI is as follows: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.
On the bench: Kepa, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Norgaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus, Havertz.
Injured: Merino, Odegaard, White.
Match Details
This highly anticipated match will kick off at 4:30 pm GMT on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium in London. Sky Sports will bring you all the action live.
And this is the part most people miss: the beauty of football lies in its unpredictability. Who will shine, and who will falter? Only time will tell. So, what do you think of these starting lineups? Are there any surprises that have you buzzing with excitement? Let us know in the comments!
