Despite more and more players switching from blue to red in recent years, Chelsea vs Arsenal remains one of the fiercest rivalries in the Premier League.
The Gunners have dominated the fixture in recent years, with the Blues winning just one of the last 10 London Derbies dating back to January 2020.
That’s dire reading for Chelsea fans, who have watched their club go into turmoil since Roman Abramovich was forced to sell to Todd Boehly as he had his assets frozen by the British government.
The sides are set to clash for the first time this season on November 10 at Stamford Bridge, but it’s Mikel Arteta’s men who are the favourites in the Chelsea vs Arsenal betting.
It’s set to be another thrilling renewal of this historic London Derby, so without further ado, let’s look at four players—two from each side—who could make a difference at the Bridge.
Cole Palmer – Chelsea
When Cole Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City at the death of the 2023 summer transfer window, it was something of a head-scratching move.
Then-Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted that it was not his decision to sign the attacker, while Palmer confessed that he didn’t want to leave Premier League champions Manchester City.
Yet, fast forward a little more than a year, and Chelsea would be lost without the 22-year-old’s immense contributions.
Palmer has scored 31 goals and provided a further 20 assists in 54 games for the club at the time of writing, and he’s a danger every time he touches the ball.
Kai Havertz – Arsenal
One of the several first-team players considered surplus to requirements when Boehly and co. took over, Chelsea’s Champions League winner Kai Havertz was sold to Arsenal for £65 million.
Not many Gunners fans warmed to the idea initially, given his goalscoring record in the Premier League, but he has quickly become a favourite at the Emirates.
The German netted a career-best 13 times in 37 Premier League games for Arsenal last season and has netted four times in seven top-flight games at the time of writing.
Havertz netted twice in the Gunners’ 5-0 humbling over Chelsea toward the end of last campaign, and he’ll be desperate to get another goal or two against his old club at Stamford Bridge.
Noni Madueke – Chelsea
Noni Madueke looked certain to be yet another player added to the ever-growing flop pile at Stamford Bridge, failing to flourish under Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino.
The 22-year-old scored just six times in 35 Premier League appearances for the Blues prior to this season and was even linked with a departure from Chelsea in the summer.
However, Madueke avoided the wrath of Enzo Maresca when the Italian arrived from Championship winners Leicester City—casting aside roughly 20 players, including Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell.
He’s repaid his manager’s faith, scoring four times in six Premier League appearances at the time of writing, and will likely test Arsenal’s defence with his flair and unpredictability.
Gabriel – Arsenal
With only Manchester City scoring more goals than Chelsea in the Premier League so far this season at the time of writing, Arsenal’s defence are going to have their work cut out.
Thankfully for Arteta, his side have conceded the second-least goals behind Liverpool this campaign—and Brazilian centre-back Gabriel has played a key role in that.
The 26-year-old has kept three clean sheets in his seven appearances at the time of writing, making crucial recoveries and interceptions while winning his fair share of duals. Gabriel has also scored crucial goals against Man City and Tottenham Hotspur, so he is a major danger to the Blues from corners and set pieces and boosts his side’s chances in the football betting.