Arsenalvs.Chelsea

On Saturday evening, the Blues succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals, Bernardo Silva scoring the decisive goal six minutes from time.

The loss came on the back of numerous chances being missed before City's winning strike, Nicolas Jackson guilty of squandering the clearest opportunities.

As a result, Chelsea were on the wrong end of a narrow scoreline in a Wembley fixture for the second time this season despite generally having the better of the game.

Pochettino's side are now left to try to earn European qualification through the Premier League, Chelsea currently sitting down in ninth position in the standings.

Chelsea can 'build on positives'

This important game in the Premier League comes just three days after losing a high-profile fixture, not ideal circumstances when Chelsea are under pressure to finish in the top seven.

Nevertheless, Pochettino has suggested that he retains total confidence in his squad ahead of attempting to end their recent poor record against one of their London rivals.

Speaking to reporters, as quoted by football.london, the Argentine said: "The mood is good because I think we play a really good game. We play so well, against a team that is one of the best in the world. I think our performance was really good with some very positive things that we need to take.

"In the last few minutes we conceded a goal we shouldn't concede but I think that is part of football. We created so many chances against a team, for me, that is the best team in the world. That is a good thing to keep working in this way and that is in the way we need to be for the future.

"How we can get this level is by working, taking decisions, trying to add to the team things that can help us to improve the level. For sure, we are working on this. This is the first season with so many circumstances that we are dealing with. We need to be happy because the evolution is good."

History and injuries not in Chelsea's favour

Chelsea have prevailed in just one of their last nine outings against Arsenal, that being the 2-0 at the Emirates in August 2021 when Romelu Lukaku made his second debut for the club.

However, Chelsea have lost six of the other eight games during that period, including three in a row on two separate occasions, while they also blew a two-goal lead in this season's reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge with a 2-2 draw being posted.

Pochettino would have preferred to see his injury list reduced ahead of this contest, but it was revealed on Monday that three more players could miss out.

The trio in question are Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell and Cole Palmer, Pochettino commenting on their respective situations earlier in his press conference.