Game Week 11 Predictions: Chelsea and Arsenal to entertain to a draw?

Chelsea hosts Arsenal as both teams aim to improve recent form. Can the Gunners halt their slide, or will Chelsea continue their winning momentum?

Chelsea can compound Arsenal's woes on Sunday, what version of Arsenal will turn up against the Blues? (Photo credit: Opta)

Chelsea vs. Arsenal

Stamford Bridge Stadium

5:30pm

What a fantastic way to conclude the game week! Brighton easily defeated Manchester City, Brentford maintained their impressive home record, Liverpool maintained their top spot, and Villa further distanced themselves from contention.

What a way to start the international break with the Gunners facing a new manager at Stamford Bridge for the fourth season in a row—from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter to Mauricio Pochettino and now Enzo Maresca!

Chelsea heads into the game on the back of a massive win in the Europa League, shipping eight goals past NOAH FC. They will understand that the visit of the Gunners is a different ball game, but they will hope to continue their good run.

Arsenal is currently experiencing a difficult period, suffering back-to-back away losses for the first time in over a year. After going six months without a defeat, the Gunners have now lost three in eighteen days. Mikel Arteta and his team need to put an end to this trend.

You can understand games in which they got red cards, but the tepid performance against Newcastle must be fixed; they struggle to create chances, and their formidable defense is now leaking goals every week. This isn’t the Arsenal that beat Chelsea 5-0 last season.

This fixture last season saw a game of two halves with Chelsea racing to a 2-goal lead before Arsenal drew level and threatened to take all three points. This is a new look, Chelsea. Arsenal won’t find it easy on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

Reece James is available for this fixture for the first time in two years, and Enzo Maresca expects Cole Palmer to be fit for the game. Jadon Sancho is the only player unavailable due to form issues.

Although Raheem Sterling is unable to play for his parent club, you might wonder if Mikel Arteta would still start him on days like this. The big news is the availability of Martin Odegaard, who made a late appearance against Inter Milan in midweek, and could potentially assume a starting role due to Mikel Merino's struggles.

Declan Rice is going to face a late fitness test; he wasn’t able to train, according to Arteta, but he has a chance to play after missing the Champions League defeat in Italy. Bukayo Saka is a player who has shone brightly for the Gunners this season; will he do it again on Sunday?

Verdict: Both teams will score.