Alert – Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Gunners lead London derby after Leandro Trossard’s early strike as they look to pull clear at top

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Chief Sports Writer, at the Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal have the lead but the game has been so open that there were mumbles of concern from the home crowd as the teams walked off at half-time. If Chelsea could finish, they would be level here but they can’t. Still, even a stopped clock is right twice a day and even Nicolas Jackson might score if Arsenal keep giving Chelsea chances.

Mikel Arteta could not have wished for a better start.

Leandro Trossard has been pivotal lately for Arsenal, and following on from his big goal against Wolves on Saturday, he scored another here.

As you can see, it was a lovely finish, but maybe Dorde Petrovic could have done better to stop it.

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at the Emirates Stadium:

Nicolas Jackson often Chelsea’s only outlet in that first half. Lucky to avoid red via VAR for that foul on Takehiro Tomiyasu. Luckier still he wasn’t even yellow carded as needs to avoid a 10th caution tonight to escape two-game ban (next two fixtures: Aston Villa and Tottenham)

Arsenal go into half-time in the driving seat.

You wouldn’t guess it though from the atmosphere inside the Emirates, it’s flat as a pancake as the whistle is blown for the break.

It didn’t start off that way though when Leandro Trossard fired them into the lead after four minutes.

You felt this could be the start of a long night for Chelsea, and if it wasn’t for Dorde Petrovic they could have conceded more as Arsenal sent a barrage of shots on goal.

However, things started to change after 25 minutes. Chelsea grew in confidence and had some chances of their own. Arsenal started to struggle.

The nerves are there for all to see in north London.

Marc Cucurella is involved again, this time he is on the end of a poor challenge.

The goalscorer, Leandro Trossard goes in late on the Spaniard and plants his foot on his ankle. He gets a yellow card for it.

Then Mikel Arteta is also shown a yellow for his reaction.

There it is, Marc Cucurella goes into the book.

It didn’t take long for Cucrella to get a yellow card after this outburst, he doesn’t get away with a tug on Bukayo Saka.

Once again, he’s not the happiest man in the Emirates.

Oh, Nicolas Jackson…

The Chelsea striker has a huge chance to pull Chelsea level. Conor Gallagher whips in a brilliant ball that is set to land straight on his head.

However, Jackson is scared he is going to be hit by Gabriel so puts his arm by his face…

It means David Raya has an easy save and then it’s given handball. He had to be braver.

Arsenal should thank David Raya profusely there…

The Spaniard rushes out of his goalline to thwart a teasing Enzo Fernandez cross.

If he had stayed in his goal, I’m certain Conor Gallagher would have turned that home.

They’ve had a few of those moments, Chelsea.

Marc Cucurella is furious that a throw-in has gone Arsenal’s way. I’m not sure why, it obviously came off his chest.

I’m surprised he wasn’t booked for his reaction, he went absolutely nuts. Like an angry child.

That shot was not at the standard of the other chances we have had.

Bukayo Saka sees his name in lights and has a go for goal from deep. It goes miles over.

Stick to the lovely build-up play, Arsenal…

Chelsea come so close to biting back!

Noni Madueke delivers a teasing pass across the box which lands at Marc Cucurella’s feet. He goes for goal but Ben White puts in a great block.

The ball then comes back out to Enzo Fernandez who drags a low drive narrowly wide of the post.

That means we have had 16 shots between the sides inside 30 minutes!

Martin Odegaard is just so good at football.

He slides in a deft pass to Kai Havertz that no one can see before Bukayo Saka forces a save from Dorde Petrovic.

The Chelsea goalkeeper then makes two brilliant saves from Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard.

The first from Havertz is good, but the one from Trossard is exceptional, it was from point-blank range after it came off Axel Disasi!

Nearly an Arsenal own goal!

After being under the cosh, Nicolas Jackson burns past William Saliba before trying to put the ball across the area.

He fires it straight into Gabriel and it hits the outside of the post. That could have gone anywhere.

Jackson is looking like Chelsea’s best outlet.

Enzo Fernandez has just been sold a bus ticket to west London.

The Argentine is turned beautifully by Declan Rice before the Arsenal man lets fly from distance. It goes close but just whistles over the bar.

Fernandez won’t want to watch that one back…

Axel Disasi has to score!

Once again a tantalising ball is whipped into the area, this time from a Mykhailo Mudryk free-kick.

Benoit Badiashile flicks the ball on at the front post, but Disasi somehow doesn’t get his boot to it.

Any contact and the game is all square. Chelsea are growing into the game and the Emirates is getting nervous.

That was Chelsea’s best moment so far.

The Blues have struggled to get forward so far, but Conor Gallagher fires in a lovely ball across the face of goal for Noni Madueke, but he can’t get a touch on it.

A fraction later and that would have been a golden chance for Chelsea to equalise.

What a ball by Martin Odegaard.

The Arsenal captain floats a lovely cross into the back post for Takehiro Tomiyasu to attack, but his head goes over the bar.

I love the way Odegaard passes the ball, could watch it all day, in truth.

Kai Havertz, why didn’t you shoot?

Arsenal are ripping Chelsea to shreds in the early minutes here, and Havertxz should have just put them 2-0 up.

Inside the area with the option to shoot, the German forward decides to pass and it is cleared by Moises Caicedo.

I simply don’t understand why he didn’t pull the trigger.

Oooooh, Nicolas Jackson.

The Chelsea striker leaves a nasty one on Takehiro Tomiyasu, it wasn’t pretty.

Earlier in the season, that would have been given as a red card. A lucky boy.

That was Leandro Trossard’s 10th goal in the league this season, his highest tally to date.

He will continue to keep Gabriel Martinelli out of the side as long as he keeps up this form. Clinical.

He’s given them the perfect start.

The man for the big occasion delivers again!

Leandro Trossard is in red-hot form, and he has found the back of the net within the opening five minutes.

It’s a lovely goal, Declan Rice had the Chelsea defence backpedalling before sliding through Trossard, who fires it in at the near post.

You fear this could be a long night for Chelsea, already.

Benoit Badiashile you are a lucky man.

Kai Havertz is sent in behind in the opening seconds by Ben White and is then brought down by the Chelsea defender in the box.

However, the flag is up for offside. If it wasn’t I think that would have been a penalty.

A fast start!

‘North London forever’ is belted out by the Arsenal fans and now we are underway at the Emirates.

There is so much at stake tonight for both clubs, neither side can afford to drop any points, especially Arsenal.

A huge night.

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Chief Sports Writer, at the Emirates Stadium:

All the pre-match talk is about the absence of Cole Palmer, who has pretty much Chelsea’s only redeeming feature this season. Chelsea’s misfortune should be Arsenal’s opportunity. Mikel Arteta’s side has to win tonight to stay in with a chance of winning the league.

The Emirates has filled up very quickly, and the atmosphere is bubbling.

There are some very serious faces in the tunnel as they come out to a roar from the Arsenal crowd.

Sadly, we now have to listen to the Premier League anthem… If you follow my live blogs a lot, you’ll know my dislike for it.

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

We need to move on [from FA Cup semi-final]. We are disappointed after the semi-final but in football, it can stop you thinking and moving forward. And another opportunity to get back to it.

It is difficult [not having Cole Palmer]. It is not always easy to replace a player who is doing well for us. But yes, I was saying yesterday we need to know how we need to play and players can be unavailable. It can happen.

Is anybody else getting very excited?

Both sides have gone through the motions in warm-up and now we are ready for the real deal.

The Emirates is still looking quite empty though, we are just over 10 minutes from kick-off…

They’ll need the best atmosphere they can make tonight.

Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United defender, on TNT Sports:

He [Kai Havertz] offers versatility, if you’re trying to win things you need players to slip into different positions. His movement and his understanding of space – and the players around him – is one of his main strengths. Now, he is starting to add some important goals this season. When Arsenal have needed a goal in crucial moments, he has been able to step up for them.

Kai Havertz, the player who won Chelsea the Champions League in 2021.

Well, tonight he starts against them in the red jersey of Arsenal, and he has been enjoying his time there recently.

Havertz has rightly earned praise for his recent performances, after a slow start, he has finally settled into life in north London.

Can he inflict pain on his former side tonight?

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at the Emirates Stadium:

Mauricio Pochettino used to hate it when Tottenham were called ‘the Harry Kane team’ – he had a right royal pop at Pep Guardiola for branding them that once upon a time – and he heads into tonight off the back of accusations that they’re ‘Cole Palmer Football Club’.

With no Palmer, it’s over to the supporting cast to show they can handle him not being with them. I have a strange feeling that Mykhailo Mudryk could have an impact, but let’s see.

Reports today that Chelsea are definitely set to stick with Pochettino next season are premature. There’s a summer review planned of the situation and the next week – Arsenal tonight, then Aston Villa, then Tottenham – will tell us more about where he stands.

It’s a huge night for Nicolas Jackson.

With Cole Palmer out through illness, the pressure is heightened on the striker to deliver the goods for Chelsea tonight.

He scored against Everton in his last Premier League outing, and my word, it was a lovely goal.

Chelsea will need him to pull out something similar tonight if they are to have a chance tonight.

Anonymous: With this Chelsea team minus Cole Palmer, let’s see if Arsenal can get close to the 6-0 whopping Chelsea gave them on Wengers 1000th game for them.

People are predicting a long night for Chelsea…

I bet Alfie Gilchrist beamed from ear to ear when he was told he would be starting tonight.

The 20-year-old full-back is set to make his first Premier League start for Chelsea tonight after eight substitute appearances.

Gilchrist grew up a Blues fan and has come through their academy, now he gets his big chance on the biggest stage.

We saw his celebration when he scored his first goal for the club against Everton last week, he is extremely passionate.

I imagine he will bring that tonight.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, speaking to TNT Sports:

There is no time, and no room for complacency. We know we will have to be really good to earn the right to beat this team and keep fighting.

After the defeat we had here against Villa and the run we had winning 10 out of 11, we were still not top. We have to keep fighting.

No Cole Palmer then, Blues fans may hope they don’t get a penalty…

If they do, who will take it? I think we will see a Royal Rumble-style fight if they are awarded one.

Noni Madueke? Nicolas Jackson? Any other takers?

I imagine whoever gets the nod would be under immense pressure!

Did any of you expect to see Thomas Partey starting tonight?

The Arsenal midfielder has found time on the pitch hard to come by this season, it’s only his second league start in eight months.

He’s missed the majority of this season through injury, but now is his chance to make a statement.

He was pivotal for them last season, can he show that form again tonight.

Here is the confirmation, no Cole Palmer for Chelsea.

Mykhailo Mudryk is indeed the man who gets the nod to replace him tonight, he’s one of four changes from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.

Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Alfie Gilchrist are the other three changes, a new look defence.

It’s a big night for Thomas Partey!

Mikel Arteta has made two changes to the Arsenal side that came out 2-0 winners against Wolves on Saturday.

Partey is one of those, he comes in for Gabriel Jesus as Kai Havertz moves back up top.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also fit to start, Jakub Kiwior drops to the bench.

Anonymous: No Palmer, no hope…play Mudryk behind Jackson, Sterling on left, Madueke on right, drop Enzo Fernandez, and move Gallagher alongside Caicedo.

This Chelsea fan knows what they want to see, but they certainly aren't confident…

The Chelsea team have arrived to do battle with Arsenal.

The players are looking steely-eyed and focused as they enter the dressing room, ready for the big night ahead.

However, according to reports, one member of the squad did not come off the team bus – Cole Palmer. He must still be feeling the effects of his illness.

It will be interesting to see Chelsea’s side, who will start?

Arsenal have been by far and away the hardest side to break down in the Premier League this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have kept 15 clean sheets in the league, five more than any other team. They also have seven in their last 10 league matches.

The Chelsea forwards could have a tough night in store for them at the Emirates.

However, Aston Villa did show the Gunners can be got at…

The Gunners are in the building.

Look at the smiles on all of their faces, they certainly look happy to be back home after their win at Wolves.

I always wonder if players should look more relaxed or focused before a game? I guess every person is different.

Will they be smiling come 10pm?

Right, it’s time that we hear from you.

If Cole Palmer is indeed unfit to face Arsenal tonight, who should come into the Chelsea starting line-up to replace him?

Could Mauricio Pochettino play Conor Gallagher behind the striker and bring in Mykhailo Mudryk on the left? What about Raheem Sterling?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea boss, speaking on Monday:

It is a good challenge if [Cole] Palmer is not available tomorrow. It’s a good challenge for his teammates or those in a similar position. If I were them, I would be motivated to go there tomorrow and show that this is Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club.

Chelsea fans, I know this is something you didn’t want to have to see again.

Cole Palmer, by far Chelsea’s standout player this season, is unlikely to feature tonight against Arsenal due to ‘illness’, Mauricio Pochettino revealed yesterday.

It’s a major blow to the Blues, who have relied on Palmer on numerous occasions throughout the campaign. He always seems to dig them out of a hole.

The 21-year-old has had a sensational season, one many people didn’t expect, he’s netted 20 Premier League goals so far and sits top of the scoring charts alongside former Manchester City teammate, Erling Haaland. Palmer has also bagged a nifty nine league assists this campaign.

It’s fair to say he will be a miss if he is not involved this evening, but Mauricio Pochettino sees it as a chance for other members of the squad to step up.

You’ll see what the Chelsea boss had to say in the next post…

The Emirates Stadium is not a happy hunting ground for Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentinian manager has been involved in several high-octane matches with the Gunners at their stomping ground, mainly during his time as the boss of their bitter rivals Tottenham.

However, Pochettino has never actually won a Premier League game on any of his visits to the Emirates with Southampton or Spurs, drawing four and losing three of his seven matches there.

I bet he thinks it’s time for that statistic to be rewritten.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, speaking on Monday:

There is so much at stake. We will try to be as fresh as possible but certainly, I think we can cope with that. When I saw them this morning, I had to stop them because winning is a big boost of energy. After winning against Wolves and having to play a London derby everyone is ready. We have to think and feel that we are fresh to play in the best possible way.

On how Mauricio Pochettino influenced him:

For sure. One of the most, I would say. I was 17 or 18 years old in Paris, I was thrown into Paris and it was in January, I think, with no experience of professional football and he doesn’t like me saying it, but he was like a father to me.

He took me under his arm, he gave me incredible advice, he really helped me, he inspired me and I learned so much from our two years there together and, from there, we maintained that relationship. I knew he was going to be a coach; I admire him a lot for what he’s done in his career and he’s always someone that I look to because he was really impactful for me probably at the most important stage of my professional career.

I know many of you think the title race is already over, but don’t count your chickens just yet.

This week is another pivotal week in the race for English football’s top prize as all three sides play twice. Any more slip-ups from Arsenal or Liverpool and it may be over.

With their win away at Wolves on Saturday night, the Gunners returned to the Premier League summit, due to Manchester City’s exploits in the FA Cup.

Arsenal are currently level on points with Liverpool but have a better goal difference, and with three points tonight, they will go three clear at the top, and four ahead of City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side will have two games in hand.

You know what they say though, sometimes it’s better to have the points in the bag.

I warned you, there are more coming.

Chelsea have been hit in the face by several blows this season, and when they were 11th in the table just a few weeks ago, battered and bruised from a brutal season.

However, it seems like their cut man has worked some magic in between fights because Mauricio Pochettino’s men are on an eight-match unbeaten run, winning four of those games.

Their turn-up in form has propelled them back into contention for a place in the Europa Conference League next season, something not many foresaw last month.

Tonight, they face a huge battle with heavy-hitters Arsenal, who they have not laid a glove on too many times in recent years. They’ll be hoping that changes tonight.

Right, I’ve made my point now. That’s the end of the boxing puns… I promise.

When I typed the sub-heading, I imagined it in the voice of Michael Buffer.

In the red corner, we have Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal who are still looking to throw haymakers in their pursuit of Premier League glory.

The Gunners still have a fighting chance of lifting the title come the end of the campaign, but they will need to land a knockout blow on Chelsea tonight if they are to stay in the hunt.

Many people thought their race was run after their 2-0 loss to Aston Villa last time out at the Emirates, but I think those opinions were rather premature.

There seems to be renewed optimism that the three-way scrap for the title is still ongoing after the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Wolves and Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Fulham. The fight’s not over yet.

I apologise for all the boxing puns, but just like Arsenal’s title hopes, they aren’t quite finished.

I know there are a lot of London derbies in the Premier League, but this has to be one of the biggest.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea aren’t particularly fond of each other, and an Arsenal fan I know just reminded me of his very strong dislike for the Blues…

I remember the days when both sides were battling for titles with the likes of Thierry Henry coming up against John Terry, what a battle that was.

The game might not be quite as impactful on the league anymore as back in the day, but it’s still a must-watch.

Arsenal should bring the game to Chelsea, the pressure is on them after all and they are the favourites, but Chelsea certainly have the attacking prowess to cause them problems.

I’m already licking my lips at the prospect of this match, and I bet both sides are feeling the same. I’m sure the fans might not be feeling so excited though, I bet the nerves are starting to appear.

Just the two hours to go!

As The Clash sing in their 1979 classic, London’s calling.

A huge evening in the capital is in store tonight as each point means more than ever in the battle for the title and Europe.

Arsenal are still well and truly in this three-pronged title race, and if they are to fight Manchester City until the very end, nothing less than three points will do tonight.

The Gunners face a Chelsea side who are in a fight of their own, as they battle for a place in Europe next season. Three points for the Blues would see them leapfrog Manchester United into seventh.

There is so much on the line this time of the season, and I’m sure we will see that in the performances from both sides. Every night is a huge one during the run-in.

Right, I can’t wait any longer, let’s get this show on the road!