We visit Stamford Bridge this Sunday - 4:30 pm UK time - with the firm ambition of returning to winning form against Chelsea. A London derby could just be what Mikel Arteta's team needs to enter the international break on a high note.
We've won our last six meetings with our capital rivals by an aggregate scoreline of 22-3, including the thumping 5-0 win over the Blues earlier this season. Though that victory came at Emirates Stadium, we also are faring well of late at Stamford Bridge, where we lose just once since 2018 and won three of our last four visits.
Both teams are coming into this match on the back of contrasting European results, yet sit tied on 18 points in the Premier League standings. Getting three more would be a big confidence boost to either side in their bid to close in on league leaders going into the final break of the year.
Goal-hungry Blues on the rise
Chelsea spent another £200 million this summer as Enzo Maresca shaped a team that finished seventh last season. With five league wins in 10 matches, they have risen into the top four, a position they would love to secure going into this weekend.
Only Manchester City and Liverpool have beaten the west Londoners and City remains the only team to have scored more than Chelsea's 20. Chelsea also have one of the best attacks in the league; however, they have struggled for consistency at home, winning just two of their five league matches at Stamford Bridge and are yet to record a clean sheet. They did secure a strong home win against Newcastle United in their last outing on home turf a fortnight ago.
Maresca has taken to a rotated squad in the Conference League, often rolling out 11 changes for the games. Thus far, it pays dividends as Chelsea leads the group with full points and a mesmerizing 16 goals in three games, including an 8-0 rout over Armenian side Noah on Thursday.
What the managers say
When we don't win, it takes the mood and energy, but the positive thing is that nobody in this room or outside wants to win more than me and the players in the dressing room, Arteta said. I did a meeting with them today and straight away I could feel how much they wanted it.
He then went on to add, I am seriously impressed with what he has been doing so far, and also the team in the past year. The last six months under Mauricio were out of this world. You could feel the quality of the squad, the depth they have, and now Enzo brought his style. His vision is clear, and he has shown real courage since the first day, insisting on his way without compromise.
Maresca added, At this moment, we feel that we can compete against any team and win. We have the feeling that things are working in the right direction, and we hope to give our fans a great Sunday.
I also like the pressure that comes with these kinds of games. Arsenal, along with City, are the top teams in my view-they're a level above the rest. But we're going to do our best and make things hard for them. They're strong with set pieces. I watched their Champions League game against Inter Milan, and you could sense the threat on every corner.
Team news
