Chelsea looks to break 5-year home drought against Arsenal in high-stakes clash

This Sunday, Chelsea and Arsenal enter the pitch at Stamford Bridge, each carrying a recent trend full of twists and turns. This classic-encounter in the frame of the 11th round of the Premier League-doesn't promise anything else but a confrontation of balanced yet different forces in which context and pressure may weigh more than pure skill.

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Chelsea's Promising Season

Unlike last season, Chelsea goes onto the pitch with restored confidence. The team is in 5th place with 18 points and stands out in the Conference League, where they top their group with three victories in three games. Though that early exit from the Carabao Cup might have disheartened a few fans, it did not disrupt their momentum into the Premier League, whereby all means, the Blues are really showing up well.

More importantly, Chelsea have been more consistent this season than the previous season. The London club has amassed 7 points more at this stage of the season in comparison with the last season. Still, Chelsea haven't beaten Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in a home game since the 2018/19 season, adding a nice historical perspective into this coming matchup.

Instability of Arsenal in Recent Times

Contrasting from its Favorite status, Arsenal is having a tough time in the Premier League. With no victories within the last three rounds, the Gunners have fallen to 6th place with the shared 18 points with Chelsea. This is the worst total of points that Arsenal has ever managed at this stage of the campaign since 2021/22, six points adrift of last term, and nine points behind 2022/23.

Apart from the recent setbacks in the Premier League, the extra loss in Champions League against Inter Milan raised the bar of pressure on the Gunners. In that light, Sunday's match is an opportunity for Arsenal to break back and end their consecutive defeats of away matches.

Head-to-Head and Expectations

Recent match history favors Arsenal, with the Gunners unbeaten in their last six matches against Chelsea after a commanding 5-0 victory in their most recent match against the Blues at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners' record at Stamford Bridge also looks good, with three wins in their last four visits to the Blues' stadium, just underlining their current dominance in London derbies.

Both teams are coming into this match with the same number of points, and a win will be important if either is to keep pace with table leaders. A Chelsea win would consolidate its resurgence and strengthen its position in the top four, while Arsenal views this game as integral to restoration of confidence and readjustment to the title race.