Saka Set to Shine as Arsenal Unleash Their Firepower Against Chelsea

Arsenal's unbeaten Premier League start faces its sternest challenge yet when clinical Chelsea visit on Sunday.

Both London clubs have collected maximum points from their opening two fixtures, though Arsenal's path to six points has been more straightforward. A commanding 3–0 triumph over Coventry City was followed by a narrow 1–0 win at Aston Villa, where the Gunners kept their hosts completely off target.

Remarkably, Arsenal's dominant defensive unit isn't even operating at full capacity due to injury concerns within Mikel Arteta's squad, and the Spanish manager faces several selection headaches ahead of what looks like the club's most demanding fixture of the season so far.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea

Pick Your Arsenal XI!

GK: David Raya—The Spanish goalkeeper has made a promising bid for a fourth Premier League Golden Glove, keeping comfortable clean sheets in both of his opening appearances.

RB: Ben White—Jurriën Timber's ongoing absence has handed White a consistent run at right back. The Englishman has been solid thus far, but now confronts a dazzling and in-form Chelsea attack this weekend.

CB: Ezri Konsa—With Cristhian Mosquera a fitness concern, Konsa could be handed his first start in Gunners colors. The 28-year-old came off the bench on his debut against former club Villa last Monday.

CB: Gabriel—A stern duel with fellow Brazilian João Pedro awaits Gabriel. The Chelsea striker netted seven times during preseason and has already contributed four goal involvements across his first two Premier League outings.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori—Arteta has encouraged Calafiori to push forward, and the Italian has repaid his manager's faith with assists in both the Coventry and Villa matches.

CM: Declan Rice—Chelsea's midfield has been weakened following Enzo Fernández's late departure from the club—Rice will be tasked with asserting his authority in the center of the park.

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CM: Myles Lewis-Skelly—It seems a distant memory that serious doubts were being raised about Lewis-Skelly's future at the club. The young midfielder has hit the ground running this season.

RW: Bukayo Saka—It was Saka's strike that secured Arsenal's crucial three points at Villa Park, meaning he has now scored in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since November 2024.

AM: Martin Ødegaard—The skipper has put his critics to rest in the early stages of the campaign. A brilliant Community Shield showing has been followed by two characteristically elegant league performances.

LW: Christos Tzolis—Tzolis is expected to keep his place in the starting lineup despite being hauled off at halftime against Villa after flirting with a red card. The Greek winger now faces only Eberechi Eze as competition following Gabriel Martinelli's departure.

ST: Kai Havertz—Havertz has edged out Viktor Gyökeres for the starting role for now and boasts three goals in six appearances against his former club Chelsea.