There have been some classic meetings between these two sides over the years. Arsenal’s 5-3 win at Stamford Bridge in 2011 is a certified Premier League classic, while Chelsea’s 6-0 win against Arsenal in 2014 is one of the most memorable games of the 2010s.

The dynamics have shifted in London in recent years.

Indeed, while Chelsea are the only London club in the past 20 years to win a Premier League title, it’s Arsenal who have been the closest challengers over the past two seasons while Chelsea have struggled under their new ownership regime.

However, Enzo Maresca seems to have steadied the ship at Chelsea this season, and now, the Blues are level with Arsenal in the Premier League.

Writing in his column for The Metro, Alan Shearer has had a go at predicting how this game will go.

Alan Shearer predicts Chelsea vs Arsenal

Unsurprisingly, Shearer has predicted a tight contest between two quality teams.

Shearer reckons this one will be a draw.

The pundit pointed towards a key midfield battle involving Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

Caicedo has been in brilliant form heading into this game, but, sadly, Rice remains an injury doubt.

“Chelsea head into their match with Arsenal above the Gunners after 10 Premier League games, and though Arsenal have stumbled recently, it shows how well Enzo Maresca has done at Chelsea, especially when you include the chaotic nature at the club,” Shearer wrote.

“The midfield is probably where this game with Arsenal will be won and lost. Rice and Partey against Caicedo and Lavia is a good battle because you’re talking about good midfielders that enjoy handling the ball.

“The game against Chelsea is a ‘must not get beat game’ for Arsenal. I don’t care who you are, the potential of sitting 10 points behind Liverpool is a lot at this level, and they can’t afford too many more defeats.

“There will be fireworks, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw a red card or two, but I’ll go for a draw on Sunday.”

Chelsea vs Arsenal key battles

There are some key battles heading into this game, and as straightforward as this sounds, this game may come down to Arsenal’s attack and Chelsea’s defence.

Arsenal’s attack has been poor in recent weeks, scoring just three goals in their last five games in the Champions League and Premier League combined.

Kai Havertz’s role has been questioned as of late, and he needs to rediscover his best form as he faces off against his old club.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been struggling to keep clean sheets lately, and Robert Sanchez has been under immense scrutiny in the Chelsea goal.

Havertz and Sanchez are both out of form at the moment, but it may be this battle that decides the result of this game on Sunday.

Shearer has predicted a draw in this game, and with these two sides so evenly matched, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the spoils were shared at Stamford Bridge.

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