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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 9
Chelsea v Arsenal
Stamford Bridge
London, England
Saturday, 21 October 2023
Kick-off is at 16h30
Arsenal will be involved in their fourth
London derby of the season when they make the short trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday, October 21.
The Gunners beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park on matchday 2, while they played out to thrilling 2-2 draws against Fulham and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side got the better of Manchester City for the second time in three months when they emerged 1-0 victors in the capital prior to the international break, having also triumphed in the Community Shield against the reigning league champions on penalties.
The win maintained the North Londoners' unbeaten start to the campaign and took them above City into second spot, tied on 20 points with league leaders Spurs, who edged Luton 1-0 at Kenilworth Road last time out.
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The Blues finally appear to be clicking under Mauricio Pochettino after claiming back-to-back victories against the Cottagers (2-0) and Burnley (4-1) - the first time they had achieved the feat since the Argentine took charge in the off-season.
Chelsea still find themselves outside the top 10 in 11th position, one point behind Manchester United (10th) and six adrift of the UEFA Champions League places.
Pochettino's side didn't have it all their own way at Turf Moor though, after the Clarets took the lead through Wilson Odobert in the 15th minute - the sixth time the West Londoners had conceded first this term. But Raheem Sterling stole the show with an electrifying performance on the left and he had a hand in all four of his team's goals, scoring one himself in the 65th minute to make it three in eight games.
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Eddie Nketiah had a bright game against the Citizens and made a few promising runs into the 18-yard area without really troubling Ederson in the opposition goal. The 24-year-old striker was eventually substituted in the 75th minute to go five matches without a goal, but Arteta will have been encouraged by the space he found in the final third.
Pochettino believes the relationship he is nurturing with the squad will soon bear fruit, admitting injuries to key players have hampered their progress.
"It's always about building a team, it's a young squad, a team that still need to know each other," he told Chelsea TV. "Only with time and training can we provide the team with what it needs. It's why it is only a matter of time, no doubt.
"We need to be calm in the way we judge players and the team. I think we are growing and very good things are coming. You can feel that, even if sometimes we have some ups and downs. But, in the end, we will succeed together, for sure.
"For us, we miss many key players that can help us develop and improve the team faster. Yes, in this way, when we recover all the players, for sure we will be ready to compete for big things."
Arteta was pleased to halt a six-game losing streak against City in the top flight and feels it sent a statement to their title rivals.
"Certainly sends a message to the team, keep believing in what they are doing," the Spaniard said. "They (Manchester City) are a fantastic group of players, the way they try, the understanding, the chemistry that they have between them you sense it and you need it to beat that.
"Today again really proud, I was proud on Wednesday when we lost the game, and I am really proud again today as well to be part of that team."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Chelsea - 1
Arsenal - 4
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 9 fixtures:
Saturday, October 21
11h30: Liverpool v Everton
14h00: Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
14h00: Brentford v Burnley
14h00: Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion
14h00: Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
14h00: Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
16h30: Chelsea v Arsenal
19h00: Sheffield United v Manchester United
Sunday, October 22
15h30: Aston Villa v West Ham United
Monday, October 23
19h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
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