Chelsea vs Arsenal LIVE SCORE: Cole Palmer starts as Declan Rice AND Martin Odegaard return for the Gunners – updates

An Ode to the skipper

Look who’s back, Arsenal fans.

After two months out with an ankle injury, Martin Odegaard returned as an injury time substitute at Inter Milan on Wednesday – and now starts in midfield today alongside Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.

Results from around the grounds

The final whistle has been blown in all three of the 2pm kick-offs in the Premier League – and one result in particular will have Arsenal fans buoyant as they take their seats at Stamford Bridge.

Ipswich – without a win before today – have triumphed 2-1 at Tottenham to move out of the relegation zone. Oh, mate.

• Man Utd 3-0 Leicester
• Nott’m Forest 1-3 Newcastle
• Tottenham 1-2 Ipswich

Bridge bringing best out of Saka

Arsenal fans will once again look towards Bukayo Saka to make things happen this afternoon.

The England star has provided more assists than any other player in the Premier League this season, laying on seven goals for teammates.

And the short trip to Chelsea often brings out the best in the Gunners star boy.

Saka has either scored (1) or assisted (2) a goal in each of his last three away games at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Only Sergio Agüero (2013-2017) and Javier Hernandez (2012-2018) have registered goal involvements as visiting players in four consecutive appearances at the home of the Blues.

From Andy Dillon at Stamford Bridge

A boost for Chelsea and England with Cole Palmer declared fit to face Arsenal after battling a knee knock this week.

And he looks like he will be teaming up with Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice who is also ok to play after breaking his toe.

It means both teams today are pretty much at full strength so there are no excuses for any manager today.

This is Chelsea’s best chance to take a top four scalp this season so far having lost to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Capital gains for ruthless Gunners

Arsenal are loving the London life right now.

The Gunners prepare for another local rivalry this afternoon, having won their last six Premier League London derbies by an astonishing aggregate scoreline of 22-3.

And incredibly, Mikel Arteta’s aces have won three of those six games by five or more goals, having won just one of their first 295 London derbies in the Premier League by such a margin.

Odegaard and Rice return for Gunners

Mikel Arteta makes two changes from the team he sent out at the San Siro to face Inter Milan on Wednesday.

The Arsenal manager is able to bolster his midfield with the inclusion of two key men.

Declan Rice returns after missing the midweek Champions League trip with a toe injury while captain Martin Odegaard is handed his first start in the Premier League since August.

As a result, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino drop to the bench while loanee Raheem Sterling is ineligible to face his parent club.

Arsenal (4-3-3): 22 Raya; 4 White, 2 Saliba, 6 Gabriel, 12 Timber; 8 Odegaard, 5 Partey, 41 Rice; 7 Saka, 29 Havertz, 11 Martinelli

Subs: 32 Neto, 9 Jesus, 15 Kiwior, 17 Zinchenko, 19 Trossard, 20 Jorginho, 23 Merino, 49 Lewis-Skelly, 53 Nwaneri

Palmer fit to spearhead Blues

The news Chelsea fans have been keeper their fingers crossed for!

Cole Palmer has been given the green light to play, and starts against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

It means Enzo Maresca makes just one change from the side that he selected for last Sunday’s Premier League draw at Old Trafford.

Club captain Reece James drops to the bench so Marc Cucurella returns at left-back; Moises Caicedo takes the captain’s armband in his absence.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): 1 Sanchez; 27 Gusto, 29 Fofana, 6 Colwill, 3 Cucurella; 45 Lavia, 25 Caicedo; 11 Madueke, 20 Palmer, 7 Neto; 15 Jackson

Subs: 12 Jorgensen, 4 Tosin, 5 Badiashile, 8 Fernandez, 10 Mudryk, 14 Joao Felix, 18 Nkunku, 24 James, 40 Veiga

Seven up since Chelsea made their mark

Arsenal annihilated Chelsea at the Emirates back in March with a triumphant 5-0 win that could easily have been even bigger.

And the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier last season also felt like a Gunners success, given they were second-best and two goals behind until 13 minutes from time.

The upshot is that Mikel Arteta’s team have scored the last seven goals in meetings between the two clubs without a Chelsea response.

And the scorers, in case you were wondering:

• Ben White (2)
• Kai Havertz (2)
• Leandro Trossard (2)
• Declan Rice

Blues 2s for home win

Unlike last week’s US election between blue and red, this contest really does seem as though it’s too close to call – and it’s left the bookies uncertain in chalking it up.

Chelsea are unbeaten in four at Stamford Bridge but are a 2/1 shot to prevail today, while Arsenal are odds-against favourites despite just one win in the last six away games in all competitions.

• Chelsea win 2/1
• Draw 23/10
• Arsenal 13/10

Odds from Paddy Power correct at time of post publication.

Good afternoon from Stamford Bridge

Welcome to live SunSport coverage of the London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League.

Always eagerly anticipated, this rivalry has been dominated by the Gunners in recent seasons.

But the clubs meet today locked together on 18 points, and vying for the win that will take them back into the top four.

For Mikel Arteta’s team, however, there is more at stake.

Considered Manchester City’s main title challenger at the season’s start, another loss at the in-form Blues this afternoon will see them 10 points off pacesetters Liverpool at the top.

Would that be too early to write them off in their quest to be champions? It’s debatable.

Enzo Maresca’s hosts have been flying of late with the mercurial Cole Palmer in the pilot’s seat.

The 22-year-old is a fitness doubt for today, but should he be included then expect the news to send shockwaves through both camps.

It’s a 4.30pm kick-off in West London, and confirmation of the two teams is on the way.