Chelsea will be looking for their first big scalp under their new manager this weekend when they take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

If there was one criticism of their time under Enzo Maresca, it would be the fact that they have not yet beaten one of the top sides in the Premier League this season.

Mikel Arteta is confident his side will beat the Blues, despite the fact their European results were on complete opposite ends of the scale this week.

Chelsea will be sweating on the fitness of Cole Palmer after he hobbled away from the fixture against Manchester United last weekend.

Maresca said he is hoping that Palmer will be fit to face Arsenal, although admitted it may well be a risk to start him.

Alan Shearer predicts a red card in Chelsea vs Arsenal

Alan Shearer believes Sunday’s game is going to be a hectic affair, predicting a draw and potentially a red card in the fixture.

He said to The Metro: “Chelsea head into their match with Arsenal above the Gunners after 10 Premier League games, and though Arsenal have stumbled recently, it shows how well Enzo Maresca has done at Chelsea, especially when you include the chaotic nature at the club.

“The midfield is probably where this game with Arsenal will be won and lost. Rice and Partey against Caicedo and Lavia is a good battle because you’re talking about good midfielders that enjoy handling the ball.

“The game against Chelsea is a ‘must not get beat game’ for Arsenal. I don’t care who you are, the potential of sitting 10 points behind Liverpool is a lot at this level, and they can’t afford too many more defeats.

“There will be fireworks, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw a red card or two, but I’ll go for a draw on Sunday.”

Chelsea struggling with discipline this season

There has not been a red card in this fixture since the FA Cup final in 2020, when Mateo Kovacic was controversially sent off in their 2-1 defeat.

Discipline has been an issue for the Blues this season. Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana have already served suspensions for picking up too many yellow cards.

Nicolas Jackson has also not learned his lesson in picking up yellow cards from last season, with him one booking away from a suspension too.

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