Merino heads Arsenal in front, Spurs vs Fulham, United set to be without Onana

Attention turns to Sunday's Premier League games that see Arsenal take on Chelsea, while Tottenham and Man United are also in action.

There is the little matter of the Carabao Cup final at Wembley too, with Liverpool and Newcastle fans descending on London.

Keep up to date with all of the latest Premier League odds at talkSPORT BET

just nowBy Jack Johnson

Half time

There go the half-time whistles.

Arsenal lead Chelsea 1-0 at the break thanks to Mikel Merino's flicked header from Martin Odegaard's corner.

It was an assist for Odegaard that made history too.

The Gunners captain now has more assists against the Blues in the Premier League than any other player for the club, with five.

Meanwhile, Spurs are goalless against Fulham, with Ange Postecoglou's men not having a shot on target yet.

That clash needs a goal to get things going.

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

Fulham 0-0 Spurs

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8 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Red-faced Raya

Wow, David Raya is a lucky boy.

Marc Cucurella volleys towards goal, but Raya looks certain to collect the shot and make a save.

However, the Arsenal goalkeeper allows the shot to somehow slip through his hands and towards the net...

Luckily, it rolls just wide of the post, much to the surprise of both sets of fans who though that was in.

Arsenal remain 1-0 in front but Chelsea are improving.

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15 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Fulham pressure

It remains a dull affair at Craven Cottage.

But Fulham have had their first shots at goal just after the half hour mark of their clash with Spurs.

Joachim Andersen had a shot blocked before Andreas Pereira's effort from the edge of the box had the same outcome.

The hosts have had more of the ball so far, however, they've not reacted much, and the game is still level.

There are 10 minutes until half time...

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20 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Watch it, Wes

Wesley Fofana is flying into tackles.

The French centre-back, who has just returned to action from yet another injury, has avoided a red card.

He clipped Declan Rice's ankles as he charged out, catching the Arsenal star with his studs and causing a small argument.

However, after VAR took a look, nothing was given.

Then, a few minutes later, Fofana went through Leandro Trossard and still avoided a caution from the referee.

He's walking a fine line at the moment, with a booking brewing.

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28 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: Mikel Merino

THERE'S THE OPENER FOR ARSENAL!

Mikel Merino scores from a corner!

The makeshift striker flicks a brilliant header from Martin Odegaard's set piece over Robert Sanchez and in!

Merino has now scored five goals this season, equalling his best scoring campaign in one of Europe's big-five leagues.

Arsenal lead in this huge London derby and that's deserved as they've been putting plenty of pressure on.

20 minutes gone and the Gunners are ahead.

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29 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Lack of action

At Craven Cottage, both teams have struggled.

There's barely been a chance, with Rodrigo Bentancur's header from a corner the only shot at goal so far.

And that missed the target as Spurs look for an opener.

It's the total opposite at the Emirates as it's much more entertaining there and Arsenal are pushing for a goal...

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34 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Complete chaos

How have Arsenal not scored?!

Marc Cucurella is beaten by Jurrien Timber on the right, and Timber breaks into the box before crossing.

The ball deflects up into the air and hits some Chelsea defenders before Robert Sanchez jumps to punch away.

A clearance then comes off Reece James' face and it eventually drops to Declan Rice who blazes over the bar.

That was utter chaos.

There was also a penalty shout in there for a handball by Cucurella but nothing is given after a short VAR check.

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38 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Nervy start

That's not an ideal start for Robert Sanchez.

He plays the ball out wide and it's straight to Gabriel Martinelli on the edge of the box, allowing him to charge forward.

Martinelli then cuts in and shoots, but Sanchez saves before almost spilling the ball back out into the danger area.

The Spaniard has already made multiple errors this season, so another one would certainly not help his case.

He's only just got the No.1 position back.

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48 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Kick-off!

We're underway at the Emirates!

And Chelsea fans, you may want to look away now...

This is the first time the Blues have started a Premier League match without Cole Palmer since April 2024.

That game saw them lose 5-0 away at Arsenal.

Surely history won't repeat itself, right?

We'll find out over the next 90 minutes!

Fulham vs Spurs is also underway at Craven Cottage.

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Today, 13:20By Jack Johnson

Unexpected debut

Under-21 goalkeeper Dermot Mee is set to make his Manchester United debut tonight, talkSPORT understands.

Birmingham-born Mee's last senior game was on loan at National League Altrincham during the 2022/23 season.

No.1 'keeper Andre Onana will travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester but he faces a late fitness test.

And sources have told talkSPORT that the Cameroonian will not be put at any risk of a longer lay-off.

Man United are taking on the Foxes at 7pm this evening.

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Today, 13:06By Jack Johnson

Why is Palmer out?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed why Cole Palmer isn't part of his squad to face Arsenal this afternoon.

When asked about his star's absence, Maresca said: "[It is an] injury, he hopes to be back after international break.

"He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a light session, that's why we don't think it's anything big."

So, not only does he miss this huge game at the Emirates...

But he now becomes a major doubt for England's World Cup qualifiers over the international break.

Palmer is in Thomas Tuchel's first Three Lions squad to face Albania and Latvia, which was announced on Friday.

However, Maresca's comments now raise huge questions over whether he's going to be able to play a part.

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Today, 12:19By Josh Fordham

Team news confirmed

There is no Cole Palmer in the Chelsea squad to face Arsenal.

It has been reported that he is suffering from muscle fatigue.

For Arsenal, Mikel Merino remains as the central striker while Gabriel Martinelli on the left and Leandro Trossard on the opposite flank.

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

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

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

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

Tottenham have named Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven and Heung-min Son on the bench for their clash with Fulham.

Archie Gray will start in a midfielder for Ange Postecoglou's side.

Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Pereira, Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Willian, Jimenez.

Subs: Benda, Sessegnon, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney, Godo, Adama, Muniz.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Spence, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Gray; Johnson, Solanke, Tel.

Subs: Kinsky; Porro, Van de Ven, Bergvall, Sarr, Maddison, Odobert, Son, Scarlett.

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Today, 11:31By Josh Fordham

Osimhen update

Victor Osimhen will be a Premier League player next season, talkSPORT has been told.

Osimhen has long been a target for a number of Premier League clubs and his international teammate William Troost-Ekong believes he will finally join in the summer.

The Nigeria striker made the surprising loan move to Galatasaray from Napoli last summer and has continued his frightening goalscoring form.

The 26-year-old has 20 goals in 22 games in the Turkish Super Lig this season.

talkSPORT understands that Manchester United have already sent scouts to watch him last month, meanwhile Chelsea have been long-term admirers.

Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham will all likely be in the market for a leading striker this summer too.

Nigeria captain Troost-Ekong believes the only destination will be the Premier League.

He told Weekend Sports Breakfast: "I know he's a Chelsea fan, but I also know he's had talks with all the top teams. It's up to what he chooses. He will fit into every team.

"I know Liverpool have spoken about getting a new striker next season. We will see.

"I'm also reading, like everyone else is, that he has a clause this summer. When he went to Galatasaray I think it worked out amazingly for him.

"I couldn't see him playing there for another season, or anywhere else but the Premier League next season."

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15th Mar 2025, 20:13By Phil Spencer

Fresh talent

Chelsea have agreed an £18.5million fee for Sporting CP starlet Dario Essugo, talkSPORT understands.

The midfielder is currently on loan with Spanish side Las Palmas.

The deal is a flat fee with no add-ons or sell-on clause wuth the player set to pen a seven-year contract with the option of a further year.

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15th Mar 2025, 19:35By Phil Spencer

Sting like a Bee

Brentford came away victorious on today's evening fixture after recording a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

Goals from Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard earned the win and pushed Thomas Frank's side up to 11th in the table.

As for the Cherries, they remain in ninth spot and miss the chance to move into the Premier League's top six.

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15th Mar 2025, 18:54By Phil Spencer

Pre-match settler?

Newcastle's fans are in the party spirit as they prepare for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley tomorrow.