Chelsea travel to Arsenal in hope of another victory in the Premier League to bolster their title credentials.
The Gunners are out of sorts following a defeat to newcomers Brentford last week, but will take confidence from their wins over the Blues last season.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will look to build on the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge last week as they face their first away test of the new campaign.
Mikel Arteta will be delighted to welcome Martin Odegaard back to the Emirates in a permanent move from Real Madrid, but the Norwegian will be unavailable here, though Romelu Lukaku is in line to make his second debut for the visitors.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match today.
When is it on?
The match kicks off at 16:30 BST on Sunday 22 August.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HD.
Live coverage will begin at 16:00 BST following the conclusion of Southampton vs Manchester United.
What is the team news?
Thomas Partey (ankle), Eddie Nketiah (ankle), Gabriel Magalhaes (knee) Runar Runarsson (Covid) and Alexandre Lacazette (Covid) all miss out for the Gunners.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Willian are also doubts after testing positive for Covid-19. The club confirmed that Willian's "health and fitness would be monitored and assessed", while the Gabon international has produced a negative test and returned to training on Thursday. Gabriel Martinelli or Folarin Balogun will start up top if Aubameyang misses out. Bukayo Saka may start, but he is "still lacking some fitness but in a better place" after appearing off the bench at Brentford. New signing Martin Odegaard will be out while he awaits his visa, while Aaron Ramsdale’s move has not been completed in time.
Christian Pulisic is out after testing positive for coronavirus, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also likely to miss out here after contracting the virus.
But Hakim Ziyech (shoulder) and N'Golo Kante (ankle) are back in training, with Thomas Tuchel confirming: "it seems very positive that both can be in the squad for Sunday". Romelu Lukaku could make his debut and confirmed he is fit enough to start at the Emirates. His last action on the field due to his transfer and quarantine process was back at the end of July, meaning he could start on the bench, which would likely see three from Ziyech, Mason Mount, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz up top.
Trevoh Chalobah’s fine form should keep him in the XI, with Marcos Alonso also starting the season well to keep Ben Chilwell out. Thiago Silva is still returning to full fitness, as is Reece James, with both likely to be on the bench.
Confirmed line-ups
Arsenal: Leno, Cedric, Holding, Pablo Mari, Tierney, Sambi Lokonga, Xhaka, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli, Pepe.
Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku.
Odds
Arsenal: 7/2
Draw: 13/5
Chelsea: 8/11
Prediction
Arsenal must react after last week’s defeat to Brentford and can lean on their recent good form and results against the Blues, with Mikel Arteta perhaps even turning to the three/five at the back to nullify Thomas Tuchel’s side. Romelu Lukaku is the wildcard here though and if, as seems the case, the Belgian is sharp, he could make the difference here and earn an away win as Arteta continues to find the right balance with his evolving squad. Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea
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