Arsenal predicted XI
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Predicted lineups today and confirmed team news
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Predicted lineups today and confirmed team news
Palmer is ready to make his return against the Gunners
Chelsea will have Cole Palmer back and available when they host Arsenal in a huge Premier League showdown this afternoon.
A persistent groin problem has derailed the England international’s season so far, starting just three games in all competitions.
A fractured toe suffered after stubbing it off a door at home shelved plans for him to return last week against Burnley with Maresca initially suggesting his talisman would be unavailable this weekend.
Palmer was spotted back in training this week however with hope a specially designed boot can speed up his recovery.
Maresca confirmed the good news on Friday, telling reporters Palmer could even come into his starting XI.
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Estevao meanwhile enjoyed a memorable night midweek against Barcelona but there was slight concern when he required treatment in the 83rd minute before being replaced.
There was no mention of any injury when Maresca spoke to the press on Friday with the Brazil international hoping to keep his place in the starting XI.
Riccardo Calafiori is expected to return to the defence for Sunday’s game with Chelsea after being on the bench in midweek.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Madueke
Palmer has missed the last two games with a toe injury
Arsenal secured another statement-making victory midweek against Bayern Munich in another game Viktor Gyokeres missed.
The Sweden international has now missed the last four games with a hamstring injury suffered at the start of the month against Burnley. Arteta has given little away over the severity of the issue but suggested on Friday the Chelsea game will come too soon for his summer signing.
The same applies to Kai Havertz who has not featured since the opening weekend of the season.
Gyokeres has not played since the start of November (Picture: Getty)
Leandro Trossard was forced off in the first-half on Wednesday night but scans revealed only a minor injury with the Belgian in contention today.
The availability of Gabriel Martinelli, who scored eight minutes after coming off the bench, offers an alternative option however with another midweek goal scorer in Noni Madueke also back in the picture.
Martin Odegaard was another to make his return from injury against Bayern with Arsenal’s injury situation now looking considerably brighter. Gabriel Magalhaes however remains absent with the centre-half not expected back until late December at the earliest.
Chelsea XI vs Arsenal – Metro prediction
Maresca rotated his attack to perfection on Tuesday having utilised Pedro Neto as his most advanced forward. A more orthodox option up front in Liam Delap with Palmer back in the side could be their best bet in breaking down Arsenal’s mean defence.
Arsenal XI vs Chelsea – Metro prediction
If Gyokeres is not deemed fit to start, Mikel Merino will have the chance to lead the line again as he has done so effectively in recent weeks.
After coming off the bench against Bayern, Odegaard will hope to return to the starting XI to skipper the side in west London.
Who do you think will win?
Chelsea
Arsenal
Draw
Key battle: Moises Caicedo vs Declan Rice
The two best midfielders in the league have been the beating heart of their respective teams this season. Both have stepped up another level – the presence of Martin Zubimendi has allowed Rice to immerse himself in a more box-to-box role while Caicedo has taken to setting the tempo for Chelsea, developing into a metronomic presence in the middle of the park.
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Whoever has the better game could lead their side to victory.
Chelsea vs Arsenal kick-off time and live stream
Chelsea vs Arsenal takes place today (Sunday 30 November) with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm.
Arsenal predicted XI
Arsenal’s pursuit of Julián Álvarez has been BOOSTED Bayern Munich are now out of the running for the Atlético Madrid striker, clearing a path for the Gunners. A major step forward in the transfer race
Arsenal transfer boost? Bayern ‘plans’ for £86m attacker revealed
Arsenal may have received a huge boost in the race to sign Julian Alvarez next summer.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Argentine striker, and it has been reported that they are willing to offload two players in a potential summer swoop for Alavrez.
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Bayern Munich are out of the running for Alvarez, and the news will come as a big boost for the north London club.
Boost for Arsenal?
Since joining Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in the summer of 2024, Alvarez has netted 40 goals and provided 14 assists in 87 competitive appearances.
Alvarez faces an uncertain future at the Metropolitano amid interest from a host of top clubs, although he has a contract at Atletico until 2030.
Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool are reportedly credited with an interest, while La Liga giants Barcelona could also move for him next summer.
Recent reports have emerged that Arsenal are willing to offer winger Gabriel Martinelli and forward Gabriel Jesus to sweeten the deal.
Atletico Madrid are demanding in excess of £86m for the Argentine.
Are Bayern Munich in the race?
At some point, Bayern will need to sign a new back-up striker for Harry Kane, who is enjoying a phenomenal campaign.
Nicolas Jackson joined the Bavarian giants on loan from Chelsea, but he has failed to impress, and Bayern will not sign him permanently at the end of the season.
This also means that Bayern will have to look for a new striker next summer, but Alvarez is definitely not the player they want to sign.
The club feel that Kane is still good enough to continue at the top level for a few more years, and they are most likely to offer him a new contract.
Arsenal predicted XI
Here’s a predicted head-to-head starting XI for the upcoming Arsenal vs Sunderland Premier League match (Saturday, 7 Feb 2026), based on the latest line-up news and analytics sources:
Premier League
Arsenal vs. Sunderland: Preview, Predictions and Lineups
Predicted line-ups for Matchweek 25
Today
Yesterday
🔴 Arsenal – Predicted XI (likely 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1)
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4-3-3
Probable Lineup:
GK: David Raya
Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori
Midfield: Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi, (Kai Havertz / Eberechi Eze)
Attack: Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Leandro Trossard
📌 Notes:
Bukayo Saka is out or doubtful with a hip injury; Ødegaard also doubtful. This boosts chances for Madueke and Trossard starting wide. �
The Standard +1
Some outlets predict Havertz in midfield alongside Rice & Zubimendi. �
Squawka
Max Dowman and Merino are ruled out long-term. �
Sports Mole
Probable Arsenal XI (compact):
Raya – Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori – Rice, Zubimendi, Havertz/Eze – Madueke, Gyökeres, Trossard �
The Standard
⚫ Sunderland – Predicted XI (likely 4-2-3-1)
Manager: Régis Le Bris
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Probable Lineup:
GK: Robin Roefs
Defenders: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava
Midfield: Lutsharel Geertruida, Noah Sadiki (or Trai Hume)
Attacking Mid: Enzo Le Fée, Chemsdine Talbi
Forward: Brian Brobbey
📌 Notes:
Granit Xhaka is unavailable due to injury. �
Sports Mole
Sunderland’s shape often sits compact, with Le Fée and Talbi creative in the line behind Brobbey. �
Opta Analyst
Probable Sunderland XI (compact):
Roefs – Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Mandava – Geertruida, Sadiki – Hume, Le Fée, Talbi – Brobbey �
Opta Analyst
📊 Head-to-Head Context
Sunderland drew 2–2 with Arsenal earlier this season. �
Opta Analyst
Historically Arsenal have dominated home meetings with Sunderland. �
Opta Analyst
If you want formation diagrams or variants (e.g., if Saka/Ødegaard are fit), just let me know!
Arsenal predicted XI
Bukayo Saka could miss Arsenal’s match with Chelsea on Tuesday 11 players who could miss Arsenal vs Chelsea Carabao Cup clash as Blues handed blow
Arsenal will be hoping to secure their place in the Carabao Cup final when they take on Chelsea in the second leg of their semi-final tie on Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal and Chelsea face the prospect of having a combined 11 players unavailable for Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup clash at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners approach the fixture in strong form, having secured a 3-2 victory over the Blues at Stamford Bridge during the first leg of the semi-finals last month.
In that match, Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi cancelled out an Alejandro Garnacho brace to gain a slender advantage heading into the crucial second game While both sides will be hoping to book their place in March’s final when Tuesday evening’s clash concludes, Arsenal and Chelsea may be compelled to compete in north London without a complete squad at their disposal.
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Here, Mirror Football looks at all of the injury updates and potential absentees from Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie with Chelsea…
1 of 11
Bukayo Saka
Speaking about Bukayo Saka’s hip injury during his pre-match press conference on Monday, Mikel Arteta said: “It doesn’t look like something too serious. Whether he’s going to be available for tomorrow or the weekend, we’ll see.”
(
Image:
PA)
2 of 11
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino will be out for an “extended period” as he requires surgery for a foot injury. He will miss Tuesday’s match as a result.
(
Image:
Getty Images)
3 of 11
Max Dowman
Speaking about Max Dowman’s ankle injury, meanwhile, Arteta explained: “He’s growing, and we need to be very careful and a little more protective. He has a different schedule as well because he needs to go to school…But I think he’s quite close. He’s on the pitch now, he’s doing well.”
(
Image:
PA)
4 of 11
Estevao
Estevao has been granted compassionate leave by Liam Rosenior, and there is “no pressure” on him to return until he is ready. He looks likely to miss the match on Tuesday evening.
(
Image:
Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
5 of 11
Jamie Gittens
Jamie Gittens limped off the pitch during Chelsea’s 3-2 comeback win over West Ham at the weekend, with Rosenior since confirming that he “felt his hamstring.”
(
Image:
Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
6 of 11
Tosin Adarabioyo
While Tosin Adarabioyo has made progress on a hamstring injury, the game against Arsenal could come a touch too soon for the defender.
(
Image:
CameraSport via Getty Images)
7 of 11
Filip Jorgensen
Filip Jorgensen is closing in on a return for his club after coming off at half-time against Pafos in the Champions League in January. Rosenior said he should be fit for Tuesday’s match, or potentially Saturday’s trip to Wolves.
(
Image:
Offside via Getty Images)
8 of 11
Dario Essugo
Dario Essugo underwent surgery on his thigh in September, but has since suffered a setback in his recovery after slipping in training.
(
Image:
Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
9 of 11
Romeo Lavia
Romeo Lavia has been out with a thigh injury since November. While he is close to full fitness, it could be another couple of weeks before Chelsea fans see his return.
(
Image:
Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
10 of 11
Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill looks to be out until near the end of the season as a result of sustaining an ACL injury in pre-season preparations.
(
Image:
PA)
11 of 11
Mykhailo Mudryk
Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended by the FA as a result of a failed drug test. As a result, he will be unable to take on Arsenal.
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