Martin Odegaard has the most assists of any @Arsenal player against Chelsea in the Premier League (5), overtaking Cesc Fabregas and Dennis Bergkamp! #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/JhGSO6QyHd

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 16, 2025

Mikel Merino's lone strike did enough for the Gunners to keep all three points at home in the North London Derby against Chelsea.

Arsenal dominated the game, but could not manage scoring more goals. On the contrary, Chelsea had very handful of chances and yet they failed to capitalize on those, and eventually has suffered a narrow defeat.

In: Kieran Tierney

Out: Martin Odegaard

In: Tosin Adarabioyo, Malo Gusto

Out: Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana

In: Romeo Lavia

Out: Reece James

In: Ethan Nwaneri

Out: Gabriel Martinelli

In: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tyrique George

Out: Jadon Sancho, Christopher Nkunku

Rice's free-kick hits the wall and gets deflected.

Odegaard is shown the yellow for a tough foul.

Odegaard failed to produce power through his shot from middle of the box as Sanchez collected the shot easily.

Mikel Merino half-volleyed a strike from the left from Martinelli's corner, but Robert Sanchez makes a brilliant stop right at the goal-line!

Wesley Fofana is booked for a foul.

Gabriel Magalhães receives a booking for a foul.

Pedro Neto gets booked for a foul.

Arsenal controlled the early stages but Chelsea have grown back into the match at Emirates Stadium ⏸️

What are your final score predictions? #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/ABQUpXqC5H

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 16, 2025

Following a second ball coming off the Arsenal box, Enzo Fernandez struck the ball from a distance but that sailed way over the bar.

That was a huge error from Raya!

Cucurella anticipated a rebound ball following a strike from Pedro Neto, but the Chelsea left-back's left-footed half-volley was initially stopped by Raya but he slipped the ball and it went through his legs and soared just inches past the posts!

Odegaard found Martinelli triggering from the right into the box, but the Brazilian winger's strike soared way over the crossbar!

Levi Colwill gets the first yellow for Chelsea this evening for a nasty foul.

On a quick counter attack, Enzo Fernandez sliced a powerful long-ranger from the right flank, but he missed it to the left.

Arsenal and set-piece, you can't name a better love story!

Ødegaard's corner found Merino perfectly into the box, as his header swiftly found the left-top bin.

Arsenal are ahead!

Trossard found another ball coming bounced off the crowd inside the box, but the shot missed the near post by inches!

Rice attempted another right-footed strike from a distance to the 18-yard-box, but the shot soared inches past the left post!

Timber and Martinelli both attempted to find the net; but the first one was denied by Fofana, and the next flick was denied by Sanchez on a reflex save! 

The follow-up strike by Declan Rice sailed over the crossbar!

Trossard was closing Chelsea keeper Sanchez inside the box, as Sanchez's clearance found Martinelli in the middle of the park. Martinelli attempted to enter the penalty area, but chose to unleash a strike instead, which was saved by Sanchez.

Jurriën Timber delivered a grounded pass into the box, that found Trossard in the middle, but the forward failed to convert it through the right top bin.

Things are underway at Emirates!

In the building. pic.twitter.com/NaLWEBE7DF

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2025

Starting XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Sancho; Nkunku

Subs: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Tosin, Chalobah, Gusto, Acheampong, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, George

Head Coach: Enzo Maresca 

Your Chelsea side today! 👊#CFC | #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/G6f0CFtdI1

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 16, 2025

Starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Partey, Odegaard; Martinelli, Merino, Trossard.

Subs: Neto, Tierney, White, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Calafiori, Butler-Oyedeji, Nwaneri.

Head Coach: Mikel Arteta 

🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️

💪 Timber at right-back
⚡️ Martinelli on the wing
👟 Merino up top

Let's do this, Gunners 👊

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2025

Preparations complete.

Next up, #ARSCHE. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6vovlHGyaS

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 15, 2025

Locked in for the London derby 🔐

📍 Sobha Realty Training Centre pic.twitter.com/1iVrw4XKpq

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 15, 2025

Malo Gusto missed recent matches against Leicester and Copenhagen, while Reece James made his return from injury as a substitute in the latter game. Forwards Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu have all been sidelined since early February due to hamstring injuries and will not participate in this match. Additionally, Mykhaylo Mudryk is currently serving a provisional doping ban after testing positive for meldonium in December.

Bukayo Saka is making progress but is still not ready to return from his hamstring injury. Meanwhile, former Chelsea player Kai Havertz, along with Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu, will remain sidelined for the rest of the season.

On 10 November 2024, Arsenal and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw at the Stamford Bridge. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 60th minute. However, Pedro Neto equalized for the Blues only ten minutes later.

Football fans from India can watch the match LIVE on Star Sports Select HD Channel. Fans can also stream the match LIVE on JioHotstar with a paid subscription. 

Match: Arsenal vs Chelsea

Date: 16 March 2025

Time: 7:00 pm IST

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London