Arsenal predicted XI vs Chelsea: Mikel Arteta set to make major Arsenal change for Chelsea clash as £51m signing set for first start

Arsenal head into Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea at the Emirates looking to maintain their perfect start, with Mikel Arteta facing several selection decisions before the London derby.

The Gunners have taken maximum points from their opening two matches, beating Coventry City 3-0 before a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. Arsenal also kept clean sheets in both games, including limiting Villa to no shots on target.

Chelsea have also won their opening two league fixtures, but Arsenal’s defensive resilience will face a significantly tougher examination against a Chelsea attack that has started the campaign sharply.

Ezri Konsa tipped to make Arsenal debut from the start

The most significant change could come at centre-back.

Cristhian Mosquera was unable to complete Monday’s victory over Villa and subsequently missed Thursday’s training session. Although the defender has not been ruled out, his fitness issue could allow Ezri Konsa to make his first Arsenal start.

Konsa made his Arsenal debut from the bench against his former club at Villa Park after completing his £51 million move.

With William Saliba still sidelined by a back injury, Gabriel is expected to retain his place alongside Konsa.

Jurrien Timber is also nearing a return from his groin problem, but is expected to make the bench at best. That means Ben White should continue at right-back, while Riccardo Calafiori retains the left-back position.

Rice boost but Guimaraes remains a concern

Declan Rice provides another boost after taking part in training following the knock he sustained against Villa.

Bruno Guimaraes missed midweek practice after suffering a knock, making Myles Lewis-Skelly the leading candidate to retain his midfield role.

The expected midfield pairing is therefore Lewis-Skelly and Rice, with Martin Odegaard operating further forward.

Rice could be particularly important in the central battle, with Chelsea having undergone late-window changes to their midfield following Enzo Fernández’s departure.

Saka chasing Arsenal record

Bukayo Saka is expected to keep his place after scoring the decisive goal at Villa Park.

The England international has scored in Arsenal’s opening two Premier League matches and could become the first Arsenal player since Alexandre Lacazette in 2020-21 to score in each of the club’s first three league games.

Martin Odegaard is expected to continue behind the front line, while Christos Tzolis should retain his place on the left despite being substituted at half-time against Villa after flirting with a second yellow card.

Up front, Kai Havertz remains ahead of Viktor Gyökeres in the current pecking order. Havertz has also scored three times in six appearances against former club Chelsea.

The attacking options have been reduced by the departures of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri, leaving Eberechi Eze as Tzolis’ principal competition on the left.

Read More: Mikel Arteta delivers surprise Arsenal team news before Chelsea showdown

The key selection call

Konsa’s potential promotion into the starting XI is the clearest selection issue for Arteta, with Mosquera’s fitness still being assessed.

At the other end of the pitch, Havertz is expected to lead the line again, while Saka will attempt to extend his scoring run as Arsenal seek a third consecutive Premier League victory.

For Arteta, the priority will be maintaining the defensive structure that has delivered two clean sheets while finding enough attacking threat to overcome a Chelsea side that has also begun the season with six points.

Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz