Arsenal F.C. vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups: Confirmed & Predicted

Arsenal and Chelsea have served up some memorable – and occasionally brutal – north London derbies in recent seasons. When the two sides meet at Emirates Stadium on March 1, 2026, both clubs are dealing with notable absences but entering the fixture with very different momentum. Here’s what we know about the confirmed and predicted lineups heading into this Premier League clash.

Match Date: 1 Mar 2026 · Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi; Eze, Trossard, Saka; Gyokeres · Chelsea Predicted Formation: 4-2-3-1 · Key Past Result: Chelsea 7-0 Arsenal · Official Source: Sky Sports

Arsenal FC vs Chelsea FC lineups today

Arsenal host Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on March 1, 2026 in a Premier League fixture that sees both clubs dealing with notable injury absences. The match carries extra weight given Arsenal’s recent 4-1 victory over Tottenham in their previous outing.

Confirmed Arsenal XI

Sky Sports confirmed Arsenal’s starting XI for the match: David Raya in goal; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Piero Hincapie forming the back four. Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice patrolled midfield, with Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard flanking Bukayo Saka – who captained the side – and Viktor Gyokeres leading the line.

Substitutes included Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristian Mosquera, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli (who came on at 56′), and Nicolas Madueke.

Chelsea Starting Lineup

Chelsea named Robert Sanchez in goal with Reece James – confirmed fit and starting – wearing the captain’s armband. The defense featured Trevoh Chalobah alongside Mamadou Sarr, with Jorrel Hato at left-back. Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos anchored midfield, while Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Pedro Neto supported Joao Pedro up front. Neto received a second yellow and was sent off during the match.

Chelsea substitutes: Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo (on 90′), Benoit Badiashile, Luca Delap (on 86′), and Malo Gusto (on 75′).

Key Substitutes

• Arsenal: Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus available from bench
• Chelsea: Delap, Gusto, Adarabioyo able to change game

What this means: Arsenal’s attacking options from the bench – particularly Martinelli’s pace – give Mikel Arteta meaningful flexibility if the match demands urgency late on.

Arsenal FC vs Chelsea FC lineups 2021

Historical Arsenal vs Chelsea lineups from 2021 reflect a different era for both clubs. This was before Arsenal’s rebuild under Arteta gained full traction, and before Chelsea’s ownership transition reshaped the club’s trajectory.

Arsenal Starting XI

Arsenal’s 2021 squad included established names like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and Bukayo Saka in a side still finding its identity. The defensive structure was less settled, with Rob Holding and Pablo Mari featuring regularly in the back line.

Chelsea Team Sheet

Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel had recently won the Champions League by May 2021. Their lineup featured N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, and Timo Werner – players who would depart the club within a few years.

The pattern: two clubs in very different positions than their 2026 selves. Arsenal were rebuilding; Chelsea were European champions.

Arsenal FC vs Chelsea FC lineups 2022

By 2022, Arsenal’s Arteta project showed clearer signs of progress. The club finished fifth in the Premier League – just missing Champions League qualification – while Chelsea dealt with ownership uncertainty and a bloated squad.

Match Day Lineups

Arsenal’s 2022 lineup increasingly featured Gabriel Martinelli and Saka as primary attacking threats, with Granit Xhaka in midfield. The defense stabilized around Gabriel and Saliba as a first-choice pairing.

Changes from Previous

The key shift from 2021 to 2022 was Arsenal’s tactical identity becoming clearer. Chelsea, meanwhile, struggled to integrate expensive signings into a coherent system.

The implication: Arsenal’s 2026 squad represents years of deliberate squad construction, while Chelsea’s current lineup reflects a more recent overhaul.

Arsenal vs Chelsea 2026

The March 2026 fixture represents the latest chapter in what has become one of English football’s most compelling rivalries. Beyond the north London bragging rights, both clubs harbor ambitions that this match could influence their season outcomes.

Predicted Teams

Multiple sources converged on similar predicted lineups for Arsenal. Sports Illustrated, Pain in the Arsenal, and World Soccer Talk all foresaw a 4-2-3-1 with Rice and Zubimendi as the double pivot.

Chelsea predictions showed more variation. World Soccer Talk projected Mamadou Sarr alongside Trevoh Chalobah, while NBC Sports favored Tosin Adarabioyo. The consistency around Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro was universal.

1 Mar 2026 Preview

Sports Illustrated predicted a 2-1 Arsenal victory. World Soccer Talk noted that Chelsea under Liam Rosenior arrived “in better form to compete against Arsenal, seeking a solid victory.”

The catch: Chelsea face this match without Wesley Fofana (suspended), Marc Cucurella, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo, and Levi Colwill. Arsenal are missing Mikel Merino, Ben White, Kai Havertz, and Max Dowman.

Where to watch Arsenal FC vs Chelsea FC

Fans seeking official broadcast information should check their regional Sky Sports coverage, as the Premier League match was scheduled for 4:30pm kickoff at Emirates Stadium.

Broadcast Options

UK viewers could access the match through Sky Sports’ television and streaming platforms. International audiences were directed to their local rights holders.

Live Stream Links

Sky Go and NOW TV offered streaming options for those without traditional television access.

What this means: The match’s visibility across multiple platforms reflects the fixture’s status as a marquee Premier League matchup, regardless of both clubs’ current injury situations.

When contrasting the two sides side-by-side across key roles, the differences in squad depth and experience become immediately apparent.

Quotes

“Despite coming off early in the north London derby, Bukayo Saka will feature from the off against Chelsea.”

— Sports Illustrated (Football Analysis)

“With the arrival of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea arrive in better form to compete against Arsenal, seeking a solid victory.”

— World Soccer Talk (Football Reporter)

“Liam Rosenior has made four changes to his team for tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.”

— Chelsea FC (Official Club Announcement)

“Arsenal maintain difficult absentees: Mikel Merino, Ben White, Kai Havertz, and Max Dowman.”

— World Soccer Talk (Football Reporter)

Summary

Arsenal and Chelsea served up another tightly contested north London derby on March 1, 2026, with both clubs operating well below full strength. Arsenal’s lineup featured David Raya behind a back four of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, and Hincapie, with Rice and Zubimendi anchoring midfield and Saka captaining a side featuring Gyokeres as the focal point. Chelsea named Reece James as captain and started Robert Sanchez in goal, though Pedro Neto’s second-yellow dismissal complicated their afternoon.

What the data shows is that Arsenal’s squad depth – even without Havertz and Merino – allowed Arteta to name a cohesive first XI, while Chelsea’s injury list forced Rosenior into less familiar pairings. The implication for future fixtures is clear: Arsenal’s continued reliance on Saka’s availability makes their title ambitions vulnerable to fatigue or injury, while Chelsea need several absentees to return before they can consistently challenge the league’s upper tier.

For Arsenal fans, the choice is straightforward: back the XI Arteta has named, hope Saka stays fit, and prepare for a season where every point against rivals like Chelsea carries outsized weight. For Chelsea supporters, Rosenior’s new project requires patience – when Fofana, Colwill, and Gittens return, this squad has enough quality to be genuinely competitive.

Related reading: Arsenal F.C. vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups: Confirmed & Predicted Teams · Arsenal F.C. vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups: Confirmed 2026 XIs

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