Arsenal’s momentum shows no sign of slowing as they arrive at Stamford Bridge for their third huge fixture inside a week. Victories over Tottenham and Bayern Munich have set the tone for a season that already feels significant. Now the Gunners have the chance to take another big step in the Premier League by overcoming an in-form Chelsea side away from home.
While the build up contained discussion around injuries and late fitness calls, none of that matters anymore because the confirmed team sheet is here and the focus now shifts to what Arsenal can deliver on the pitch. Mikel Arteta’s side are top of the Premier League and chasing a tenth league win of the campaign. A victory would restore the seven point lead over Manchester City and strengthen their position heading into the festive period.
Here is Arteta’s confirmed Arsenal team to face Chelsea:
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
🧱 Hincapie partners Mosquera
💪 Calafiori in at left-back
⚡️ Martinelli on the wingLeave it all out there, Gunners! 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 30, 2025
With the line up now locked in, attention turns to the contest itself and the areas where the match is likely to be decided.
Key battles that could shape the match
Bukayo Saka’s meeting with Marc Cucurella will be one of the most important duels. Saka has contributed consistently for Arsenal this term and will need to find solutions in a tight space.
Another crucial area is the midfield between Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo. Rice has been central to everything Arsenal have produced so far this season.
Arsenal must impose their style early
Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea is strong, with the Gunners unbeaten in their last seven meetings. Chelsea have enjoyed a positive run of form and remain difficult opponents at home, but Arsenal have shown in the last week that they can match intensity with quality and dictate the biggest games.
The challenge now is simple. With the confirmed XI in hand, Arsenal must assert themselves from the opening minutes, manage the atmosphere and continue the excellent work that has placed them top of the table.
I’m excited for this one! COYG!
Michelle M
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So Saliba is injured now. Oh well, the injury list is never ending.
True
So our attackers are coming back and now defenders on injured list
That’s frustrating
Come on boys, we can do this.
COYG
Love you boys
So cool but i think Chelsea would put up a tough game for us.
Is training too intense? Because how has almost half the squad picked up injuries and it’s only November?? My confidence is definitely lower seeing both our CB’s are out and we’ll be starting a pair that has never played together. We’ll
Need to outscore and can’t rely on sitting deep for long periods of time today
Not allowed to ask questions about the training methods and that something is clearly wrong
Come on you gunners…..we are the Arsenal. BooM BooM BooM
Why do we get so many injuries, it just doesn’t make sense 😕
What a game to introduce a new pairing of center backs, but these four fresh legs could be a blessing in disguise
And I don’t like Martinelli starting, it forces all creativity to come from only Saka’s side
Martinelli is like putting a fast striker on the wing – almost all attack from his side will break down except it’s on in which he can run in space
I may not agree with your point, but I like the way your avatar has a cocktail glass on its head.
Do we really rate this Chelsea side? Youthful. Lacks experience. Maybe world superstars of the future, but is their moment now?
Chelsea’s remaining fixtures sends them here there and everywhere, ugly looking fixture list.
@Moon Girl: Chelsea is where they are by chance. I’ve seen Chelsea improve in performance ever since their new manage took over!!
Are you saying Chelsea are lucky to be where they are? Even with ten men they outplayed us today.
You are very right .
We might be cooked. 2 young center backs against Chelsea.
Injuries is the only thing that can stop us from winning something.
Merino.
Martinelli. Eze. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Hincapie. Mosquera. Timber.
Raya.
So our attackers are coming back and now defenders on injured list
That’s frustrating
I hope we are not getting embarrassed today
One of the biggest matches of season, and neither Gabi or Sali. 🫣
Have we been told what Saliba has, injury or bout of illness?
As per Sky Sports it’s a knock in the training so it seems they didn’t to take any risk by playing him
Season is long, we are still in November
Nobody wins the league in November
A five nil win to us today and you woukd call it on Dec 1st, wouldn’t you? 😇
5-0?
Isn’t it too optimism??
Me thinking a 4-1
😆
Mosquera and Hincapie know the standard and here is the baptism by fire for both CBs – ideally id be happy with a point at Stamford Bridge.
Looks like one for Martinelli, Eze or *Zubimende to feature and to surprise everybody – of course im hoping and guessing. Strangely enough CFC fans have created their own [bogus reality] that they are better than us – time to show that they are not.
Naaaaah mate, we are winning this one. That is still a good team out there
…I do hope so.
One positive is Raya, Mosquera & Hincapie can all communicate ie all are fluent in Spanish (i trust).
I believe any time in this dressing room and they are all communicating in MLE. Have you heard the Horse spitting bars?
@ Moon Girl
Sorry i missed this – Iv no idea what MLE is… but i do know what bars are 🙂 but don’t ask me to spit any bars (please).
Well didn’t expect that! But these guys can do a better job, have got to see how it burns out. I’ll be elated if we beat Chelsea without our first paring center halves. COYG
If we avoid loss then this could be our year
Although Big Gabi and Saliba are our first choice for CB, Mosquera and Hincapie are not minnows and have performed excellently so far. They know exactly what to expect and they can do the job.
This is exactly why the squad needed adding to in the summer. Now we’re about to find out if it’s worked or not. 🤞
It’s been doing ok so far but both central defenders out together!
Our bench has Christmas come early surprises though 🤗
Yes offensively our squad is full packed with quality
We are now just missing Havertz and Trossard and I don’t think they will be out for long, they will be back by next weekend and I don’t think Saliba will be out for long
It must be precautionary
Now it will be interesting to see how Zubimendi and our backline is going to cope up today because Chelsea aren’t going to sit deep and park the bus
They will attack which certainly put pressure on our Midfield and backline
But it will open door for us as well to score especially when we have the flair of Eze and runners like Saka
We can bring on the firepower like Gyökeres and Madueke and may be Jesus as well
Although Zubimendi has done well at home, for me I still have concerns regarding him away. Not so convinced, today will be a big test. One I hope he can cope with.🤞
I Got this feeling we are winning this big, Man useless winning in there early kick off match is a good sign.? Believe it or not we usually don’t tend to show up if they loose an early kick off game . Superstitious as I am I was cheering them to win. Though I think stats back me up a little bit😀💪
Arsenal fresh injuries give extra morale for Chelsea as it would be embarrassing to lose to a second fiddle, make shift Arsenal side. Saliba mostly gets injured when Arsenal face bigger sides.
With this unforeseen matter, predictions need to be modified. Forwards IN, defenders EXIT. Catch22. Who jinxed us? Even losing narrowly makes sense.
Injuries or not, I still think Arteta wouldn’t want to go all out. Expect a conservative approach to the game, expect Rice and Zubimendi to play closer to the defense. Arsenal will likely absorb more pressure and sucker punch Chelsea today.
Let’s make it a 7 point gap at the top. GOYGs!
I am little worried about this
It’s already a bit tasty with challenges
Anthony Taylor up to his old tricks again
We are looking nervous in early opening exchanges
We might have to bring our heavy weights in the 2nd half
Likes of Odegaard, Gyökeres, Jesus
We are gonna see Red for us for Sure
We need to replace Zubimendi by Norgaard in the 2nd half and Musquera for White and may have to play Timber as CB
It doesn’t look as though there’ll be 22 on the pitch after 90 minutes.
3 yellows after 12/13 minutes
Our CBs are looking vulnerable
Too Scrappy and open for my liking
Is ref Taylor such a card happy ref? At this rate there we’ll see a 2nd yellow leading to sending off players.
Nordgaard should get ready if Zubi is in danger of 2nd yellow. Ben White will surely have his game time.
We’re seeing the older version of Arteta too emotional with his words and actions.
I would be amazed if we finish the game with 11. Very poor so far, the ref is loving this
We are looking bad guys today
We are not able to hold up the ball at all
We are loosing midfield battle as of now
I’m okay with the first half.
The fortress remained intact. We can open the gates and unleash hell as the game goes on.
And another booking but rather self inflicted by Calafiori
We are getting cooked so far
We’re far from settled in this game. Chelsea look much brighter in every department..
Our passing is so poor!
That’s a nasty foul indeed!
Come on VAR
That’s a red card. No excuses referees.
That should be a red card for Caicedo
Studs up
That was terrible
Why is Caidieo not given a card
He is now. That was ankle breaker
Chelsea player beating hands on ground is an absolute joke and should be so embarrassed by it. What an absolute clown
@Derek. What did I tell you earlier. A physical match with lots of niggling,,, heaps of yellow cards and the odd red card or two. This is now Arsenal’s to lose. This may be a 5 a side match
You’re not kidding
Arsenal Possible Red card as well with 4 defensive players on a Yellow
Could have broken merino shin or ankle which was planted. Deserved red for a player with a reputation of rough challenges.
Caisedo got lucky last time , not this one though. We might as well end up with 10 men 3 from our defense already on yellows🟡 . Make that xtra man count. Martinelli should have scored with that big chance
We need to attack cucurella more he’s one foul from a 2nd yellow. I feel we will also get a 2nd yellow, chelsea have tricky players and we look nervy.
Why are we still struggling with extra man??
We’re still struggling to control the game even though Chelsea are a man down..
I’m putting this down to tiredness from Wednesdays game.
The Cb’s have never played together and it shows. Saliba and Gabriel are masters at controlling the game by being reliable passers and being able to play out of presses. Can’t blame these two they’re in a bad situation against a good team. Happy we just have the clean sheet rn
We have decent back ups for CBs but we can see clear drop off in the quality
Mosquera and Hincapie must be rusty after sitting on the bench for so long
I think Lewis-Skelly should replace Hincapie and let Calafiori play LCB
Calafiori is also on yellow
I would take Calafiori off and bring on Lewis Skelly as LB
And bring White for Hinacapie and move Timber to Right sided CB
And Musquera as Left sided CB
White as RB
Timber isn’t good enough aerially against Pedro and we need him to play against Neto/ Cucurella
White would likely be overwhelmed by Neto and Cucurella
We have to find a way to calm this game down now. Just be patient and we can win. And no dumb fouls for a 2nd yellow!
Bad that most of our key defensive players all earned cards so quick …….
Quite frankly Ackshay, I would do the opposite as the way things are going with yellow cards, there’s a big chance of more sendings off and I want us to finish with 11 men
I would take Calafiori off and bring on Lewis Skelly as LB
And bring White for Hinacapie and move Timber to Right sided CB
And Musquera as Left sided CB
White as RB
I thought Ricky playing very well today.
Zooby not the best of half’s.
Time for use to use our squad depth and put the buggers to the sword once and for all.
As i said (above) our CBs will likely have a baptism by fire. This has been a messy affair.
Thank you Merino for being the cause of VAR looking closely at Caicedo’s conduct. This ought to be the turning point – hopefully our CBs play the remainder of the game card-free. Regardless we should swing this in our favor now, right??
Freaking tough game! We have too many on yellow cards and our main CBs missing is beginning to show. Hincapie not convincing and we can’t seem to leave our own half. That Caicedo red card was a massive relief.
Yes I can sense more red cards coming, we needs to calm down things a bit, not let the Blues dictates how the game should be played
I don’t know when it was acceptable to just push a player over, who is near but not on the ball, but the ref seems to let Chelsea players get away with it.
White and Odegaard in Zubimendi and Hincapie out we have too many yellow cards
We do really miss Gabi and Saliba,not just defensively but on the ball too. They are key to build up from the back, particularly Saliba. White must be having some fitness issues otherwise I would have had him as one of the CB’s to help with build up. Might need Odegaard as well to get some control in the game. Saka to score.
Mikel Arteta has to have a good stern dressing room talk now. This is where Arsenal need to play common sense football,,, move the ball around, tire this 10 man Chelsea side down and the goals should start to come.. Get the 1st goal and Chelsea will start to open up and expose themselves even further. As I said this match is Arsenal’s to lose. Can’t remember Arsenal losing to a 10 man side
Calafiori subbed off, gud choice by Arteta too risky with their tricky winger.
Bring on White as well
It was coming to be honest
Not surprised by that goal in the least. We’ve been terrible!
It looks we are gonna lose today
Not sure why there was no one on back post to clear on line
Our drop off in the quality of CB is evident
There
Why is no one talking about Eze in the middle?
He’s been a ghost!
Everyone is poor today we cannot scapegoat one player
All are poor
People were poor but Eze did absolutely nothing
Exactly
Thank God I find someone who noticed
He was busy shying away and lazying about
We were 1-man short with him throughout today
We have been terrible today
Our defending and decision making is shambolic today
We have been bullied in the box.
I don’t like this in Lewis Skelly game
Why did we do an MLS sub? Could’ve told you he’d pick up a yellow within a few minutes. Does nothing to relieve the pressure on us defensively.
This looks so much like the man u match where we look unrecognisable, shady and nervous. Only difference is that we conceded.
I don’t think we will get anything out of this game .MLs is just not good enough and the two young central defenders are not good enough either
Yippee
Our main striker hits the back of the net
Nice
No composure at all today, even with a man advantage. Hopefully our captain can steady the ship.
Entire back 4 on yellow
Bring on White
Difficult string of games too many injuries. But still hearing the away fans. Let’s gooo
Hincapie is a lunatic.
Soz thought he said Timber had been booked
Bring on White for Skelley
Zubi is great , for most of the time, but not when he faces extreme physicality in EPL. Odegaard is a great change.
True
He needs to adapt the physicality of PL
May be next season just like Gravenberch
He was poor in the 1st season
But very solid in the 2nd season
Back in it now thanks to our main striker Morino!!
Gyokeres physicality against these blue thugs might prove fruitful
We are so ineffective today offensively
So bad
Saka’s form been worrying this season
What a great game James is having
Saka is been terrible except that one assist
Way too much ball turnover by Saka
His decision making awful today
So many bad choices by Saka today, cucurella is a tough opponent but he can’t have a stinker like that. Great assist though.
Merino’s on thin ice
James is controlling entire Arsenal team
We don’t have any answers for his work rate and hunger
Very distressing to watch
Ref is awful. How many fouls can Cucurella get away with on a yellow?
We deserve to lose today
We are so bad today going forward
We’ve been pretty cr*p today tbh..
Big 2 points dropped today unless we are loosing
I thought games like this were a thing of the past but 4 minutes left
Big credit to Chelsea.
It doesn’t even look like it’s 10 v 11 out there.
@E. Anderson
Exactly.. Say what you want about them. But they are a force to be reckoned with. Hate to think what the score would be if they had that extra man. Just sayin….
Exactly my thought
The red card was a blessing. Looked like we were heading for a loss today for sure
One of our worst games today. Shambles..
That was a trash game
Awful football. Only Chelsea (with 20 men) wanted to win that game. Some of our football was horrible. Chance gone begging.
Ha ha, felt like it, not 20, 10.
Absolutely correct, it felt we were playing against 50 men, awful performance. We reset and go in mid week.
Worst game of the season. Happy with the point considering out awful we were from minute 1. We need to get our injuries under control because the cb pairing today caused a ton of our problems
We were on a red-card even before Chelsea got theirs
Eze was a passenger throughout it disgusted me
And you know Martinelli on the other wing will never be helpful without a counter-attack
Are Chelsea this good or arsenal make them look good?
They always turn up for big matches at home. Then they’ll lose to wolves. City still our main challengers
@RSH
To be fair, it did look like they were capable of pulling off a win, had they not lost a man. Just sayin…
We’re in agreement they turned up today. I knew they would
Chelsea will not lose to Wolves for God’s sake
They beat Wolves 6-0 or something last season when they were not this good
Wolves has beaten nobody this season and you say Chelsea will lose to Wolves
I was exaggerating omg 🙄. They drop points to teams they shouldn’t is my point and won’t sustain a title challenge for a full season.
Arsenal did…
Trossard and saliba’s s injury killed our chemistry
Worst game all season, too slow in passing, no agency, are Chelsea even a man down!?
It’s okay. There is no way Chelsea making six points up on us with their fixtures, they have two games against city and trips to us and Anfield.
Still only Man City that worries me. We need to gap them before the trip there.
Yup. The point is okay all things considered but it puts extra pressure on the two Villa games. We only have 2 away matches left against the top 6 now. We just need to be consistent now and overcome these Villa games. City will push for sure. Real shame we couldn’t keep the gap to 7
It’s not okay moogirl, play against 10 men and have an equal no of shots on target is horrible. No control whatsoever from minute one
It’s always ok until its not ok!
I am happy with one point given two CBs injured and many players not at their top firms. It seems to me we are mentally exhausted.
Chelsea pretty much is playing sunderland tactic against us but with better players. We need a dribbler when can penetrate in the middle to wreck chaos. Our safe style of attack is quite figured out.
I don’t think Chelsea shall be the happy side though. It is their home court. They should know the beginning 25 or so minutes were not sustainable. There was no way that their Hookigan defense would not get penalized.
The challenge now for us is how to deal with physical play directly at us. I think one solution is not to feature Zubi. Odegaard or Merino with healthy forwards shall weather this storm better. Certainly, our back line with Saliba and Gabi will help enormously.
Fair result albeit disappointing one
Chelsea are a very good side and I think wanted it more today. Chelsea thrashed Barcelona which shows they are good. I think they will finish ahead of City, either 2nd or 1st place. Hopefully 2nd behind us lol