Matchday thread for Premier league match at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal.

Last five games 0 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses.

Like a visit to St James Park time for our annual dose of disappointment against our bogey side.

As when we we play them normally:

I am so sure we will not win this match that, if I am wrong, I will give the forum the gift of me shutting up for the rest of the year and only posting the match day threads, and one Christmas message, and not one drop of negativity.

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

I am so sure we will not win this match that, if I am wrong, I will give the forum the gift of me shutting up for the rest of the year and only posting the match day threads, and one Christmas message, and not one drop of negativity.

Roll 2026 into the equation as well and we're on !

49 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Roll 2026 into the equation as well and we're on !

Can't wait to give them their 3 points we always love to give them.

20 minutes ago, Victor90 said:

Can't wait to give them their 3 points we always love to give them.

A minimum of one point gifted to them. Even when we are playing well, being the better side and going 2 goals up we then fumble it to bless them a point.

It's just who we are, mate.

This is the type of game where the manager can get you the win.

Time to step up Maresca

I wonder if there is ANY chance that Palmer plays in this.

Honestly think that if we put our best 11 out (which obviously includes Palmer) and we were up for it, we could beat the Gooners, but I won't build those hopes up too much.

2 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

This is the type of game where the manager can get you the win.

Time to step up Maresca

Presumably it'll just be the standard setup for when we play teams with better players than ours - Reece in midfield, defensive line ten yards back - 2-0 defeat - job done.

Arsenal play one of the highest lines in he league, we all saw what we can do against that in the CWC final.

Play to our strengths and hit them quickly in transition.

Sanchez

James Chalobah Tosin Cucurella

Caicedo Santos Enzo

Estevao J>Pedro Garnacho

18 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Arsenal play one of the highest lines in he league, we all saw what we can do against that in the CWC final.

Play to our strengths and hit them quickly in transition.

Sanchez

James Chalobah Tosin Cucurella

Caicedo Santos Enzo

Estevao J>Pedro Garnacho

After a MOTM performance in our last game, it must be a near certainty that Santos will get dropped and we'll play Gusto in midfield instead ... (or James with Gusto at right back)

3 hours ago, Nibs said:

I wonder if there is ANY chance that Palmer plays in this.

Honestly think that if we put our best 11 out (which obviously includes Palmer) and we were up for it, we could beat the Gooners, but I won't build those hopes up too much.

Seeing as he broke his toe a few days ago, I doubt it. Colwill had a toe injury two seasons ago and disappeared for months.

Edited November 24, 2025Nov 24 by Scott Harris

This is the winning lineup. You can read more of my brilliant football takes on my Twitter account @Jorghenius69, only £7.99/week.

====================Sánchez

=Caicedo======Adarabioyo======Chalobah======Cucurella

===========Gusto======James======Cucurella

==not the Brazilian kid====Fernández=========Gittens

=====================Pedro

29 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Seeing as he broke his toe a few days ago, I doubt it. Colwill had a toe injury two seasons ago and disappeared for months.

I guess I'm hoping that they have exaggerated the injury to the press to lull the Gooners into a false sense of security, but probably just wishful thinking.

It would give everyone such a boost to line up against them with a fit and raring to go Palmer. If he's still missing, I will bite your hand off now for a draw.

46 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

This is the winning lineup. You can read more of my brilliant football takes on my Twitter account @Jorghenius69, only £7.99/week.

====================Sánchez

=Caicedo======Adarabioyo======Chalobah======Cucurella

===========Gusto======James======Cucurella

==not the Brazilian kid====Fernández=========Gittens

=====================Pedro

Not enough! You’d have to pay me at least a tenner to read that!

2 hours ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Arsenal play one of the highest lines in he league, we all saw what we can do against that in the CWC final.

Play to our strengths and hit them quickly in transition.

Sanchez

James Chalobah Tosin Cucurella

Caicedo Santos Enzo

Estevao J>Pedro Garnacho

That being the case would be better to start with Guiu than J Pedro?

11 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

That being the case would be better to start with Guiu than J Pedro?

I'd be happy with Guiu, however think he's better as an impact sub currently. J.Pedro can drop deep to get the ball in behind to the wingers.

3 hours ago, Nibs said:

I guess I'm hoping that they have exaggerated the injury to the press to lull the Gooners into a false sense of security, but probably just wishful thinking.

It would give everyone such a boost to line up against them with a fit and raring to go Palmer. If he's still missing, I will bite your hand off now for a draw.

Maybe you were on to something 👀

Bench for Barca perhaps?

4 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

This is the winning lineup. You can read more of my brilliant football takes on my Twitter account @Jorghenius69, only £7.99/week.

====================Sánchez

=Caicedo======Adarabioyo======Chalobah======Cucurella

===========Gusto======James======Cucurella

==not the Brazilian kid====Fernández=========Gittens

=====================Pedro

Nah, you’d be mad to not start Cucurella!

10 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

This is the type of game where the manager can get you the win.

Ref: Anthony Taylor

17 hours ago, GarnachoCheese said:

I'd be happy with Guiu, however think he's better as an impact sub currently. J.Pedro can drop deep to get the ball in behind to the wingers.

I think the sane with Estevao as an impact sub.

I do think when our wingers break we need someone with speed making the forward run to either get the ball or open up space and find J.Pedro or Enzo. I don't think J.Pedro makes those runs and Delap I think lacks a little football intelligence to do it right.

Maresca has a nice headache for team selection on Sunday, with everyone playing so well last night. If Palmer is available, does he go straight back in or on the bench? Team I would like to see is:

Sanchez

James Chalobah Fofana Cucurella

Caicedo Santos

Palmer

Neto J>Pedro Gittens

Would keep Estevao on the bench and introduce him at HT and then Delap to come on too.

But I know we will start with Enzo and probably Gusto too. After last night have to have faith with Maresca's team selection and just hope we play just as well.

Truly a blockbuster this. We win this and it's game on. Only three points behind, Cole Palmer back, Fofana fit again and looking solid, both full backs on world class levels and confidence at an all time high after beating Barcelona and Arsenal in the span of a few days.

Arsenal win it, they go 9 points ahead of us and probably it's over from our point of view in terms of league title. The Arsenal of some years ago, I'd trust them to bottle a five point lead with even two matches left in the season. But this Arsenal is a solid one, can't be a hypocrite to say otherwise. But with only a very small lead at the top they could be challenged mentally and anything can happen if City and ourselves keep it tight.

Come on you Chels!