Arsenal host Chelsea in a huge London derby this Sunday afternoon, but they will be playing at a strange time.
The Gunners are winless in three and their Premier League title chase has completely collapsed in recent weeks.
It leaves Mikel Arteta desperate for three points to get back on track and potentially hunt down Liverpool – as impossible as it may look.
Enzo Maresca will be in the opposite aiming to continue Arsenal’s slump at the Emirates and pus further into the top four.
The derby has a lot riding on it, so there’s no doubt plenty will be settling down to watch the action – but you will have to take note of the weird kick-off time…
Why is Arsenal vs Chelsea at 1:30pm?
Arsenal and Chelsea had their kick-off moved due to the Carabao Cup final that is happening on the same day.
The game was originally planned to be on Saturday but it was switched to Sunday, and rather than being at the typical time of 2pm, it’s now half an hour earlier.
The cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle was confirmed to be kicking off at 4:30m on Sunday last month.
And because of that, the Premier League was forced to re-shuffle their schedule at the weekend.
They confirmed the change in February with a statement that read: “After the announcement of the EFL Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle United being given a kick-off time of 16:30 GMT, the times of two Premier League fixtures that same day have been confirmed…
“Arsenal v Chelsea and Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur will kick off at 13:30 GMT on Sunday 16 March, in Matchweek 29 of the Premier League.”
So, those two fixtures are at 1:30pm on Sunday while Leicester vs Manchester United has also been moved to 7pm to work around the cup final this weekend.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: Team news
Arsenal have welcomed Gabriel Martinelli back into the fold after he recovered from his injury.
But the Gunners are still without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, with the Saka the closest to coming back.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is the only other absentee.
As for Chelsea, they will be hoping to welcome back captain Reece James who missed the win over Leicester through illness.
Cole Palmer played through an illness in that game, so he will be hoping to have fought past that come the weekend.
Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Marc Guiu remain sidelined while Malo Gusto could be fit to return.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: How to follow
This Premier League clash takes place on Sunday, March 16.
Kick-off at the Emirates, as mentioned, is at 1:30pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with all the latest throughout the day.
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