Preview
Already, we will have the pleasure to watch this always exciting London derby on Sunday, and it is Chelsea who will be the favourites to get the victory.
Arsenal were already under pressure before the season had kicked off given how they have had two poor campaigns in a row and now they will not play in Europe for the first time in 25 years. It feels like a new low for the Gunners.
On the opening day of the season, they had plenty of the ball but looked like a team with little ideas and lost 2-0 against Premier League new comers Brentford.
Chelsea look slick and great just like they have this year since Thomas Tuchel took over and they had a fairly easy game to beat Crystal Palace 3-0 last weekend. It was a good run out for the European champions and the atmosphere at the Emirates will be electric for this game.
Form Guide: Arsenal
A lot needs to change at Arsenal. Their opening day defeat to Brentford left them well adrift in the Premier League. They play Manchester City and Tottenham in their next five fixtures after this match against Chelsea. It’s a daunting prospect for a side that didn’t impress on the opening day.
The Gunners created 22 shooting opportunities in their opening match against Brentford but only four were on target. No Premier League side created more chances in their opening match than the Gunners. They lead the rankings for possession and are 4th in passing accuracy.
Creating quality chances is the issue for the Gunners. The Gunners had an average xG of 0.05 per shot in their match against Brentford. The Bees averaged 0.19 and scored two goals from their opportunities.
Scoring goals and creating chances has been an issue for the Gunners for some time. They improved towards the end of the season as results improved. The Gunners managed an average of 1.50 goals in their last eight league matches despite winning five of them.
However, Arteta can take some heart from his side’s recent record against Chelsea as they have won the last three meetings and are unbeaten in four against the Blues.
Form Guide: Chelsea
Chelsea dominated Crystal Palace in their opening fixture. The Blues won 3-0 but it could have been more from a match they controlled. Chelsea had 13 shots during the match and outperformed their xG but it was a pleasing opening match.
The Blues’ success under Thomas Tuchel has been based on a solid defence. Chelsea picked up their first clean sheet of the Premier League season on Saturday. They managed 11 in 19 Premier League games last season after Tuchel took over.
Goals were the only issue. The Blues managed three in that match against Crystal Palace. It’s only the second time that Chelsea have scored three goals in a single one of the 32 matches that Tuchel has managed.
How the match could go
Arsenal are in Chelsea’s shadow now and it wasn’t like this 15 years ago but time has changed and Chelsea are the best team in London now.
However, Arsenal have recently gotten the better of Chelsea and in fact the Gunners did the double over the Blues last season. One worry for Arsenal is that their strike pair of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are ill. They both missed the opening game and are a doubt for this one and that would be a huge blow for the Gunners.
It’s hard to look past Chelsea here but we expect a very close game, but we will opt for the side who simply look more fluent and have much more confidence coming into this game.
Betting Predictions
Chelsea to Win
Arsenal are on a really poor run and almost stand no chance here, on paper at least. They face a confident Chelsea side, coming to this game on the back of winning two trophies in the last two months. Arsenal have been quite weak defensively and have a visibly serious lack of confidence. The fact that their two main strikers recently contacted covid-19 and are only just recovering makes it even tougher for them. They’ve conceded in both halves in four of their last five matches, and with Chelsea’s expected dominance here, go for the Blues to win. Bet9ja have 1.80, 1xbet have 1.81 and Bet365 have 1.85 odds.
Over 2.5 Goals
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in five of the last six meetings between these two clubs and we’re expecting goals to be scored in Sunday’s clash as well. At least three goals have been scored in three of Arsenal’s last five matches as well as in four of Chelsea’s last five outings. Neither team has been keeping many clean sheets of late which only adds further weight to our prediction. Bet9ja have 2.08 odds, Bet365 have 2.10 and 1xbet have 2.16.
Both teams to score – Yes
For the same reason above, we expect to see goals at both ends. This fixture has always seen a flurry of goals, no matter who wins and that could follow suit once again. Arsenal will be eager to show some fight this time around at should at least see them score at the very worst. Bet9ja have 1.98 odds, Bet365 have 2.00 and 1xbet have 2.05.
Anytime Goalscorer (Arsenal)
Aubameyang
Arsenal badly missed skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette last week as both sat out the Brentford defeat due to illness. The good news is that Aubameyang was already back in training and could play some part against Chelsea. He does have history scoring against the Blues and that should be something of a feel-good factor for him. Bet365 have 3.25 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 4.00.
Nicolas Pepe
The Ivorian forward always looks like one with a spark when he’s on the ball. In a Gunners frontline that lacks creativity upfront, he is always eager to make something happen and he could be that man once again. Martin Odegaard is now in the fold for Arsenal once, bringing some sort of creativity that could help players like Pepe. Bet365 and Bet9ja have 4.50 odds for him to score.
Anytime Goalscorer (Chelsea)
Lukaku
Chelsea new boy Lukaku loves a debut goal and could get some joy against the weak Gunners defence if he’s thrown in from the start. His return to Chelsea has made them title contenders in the eyes of the bookmakers and the striker has developed his game in two successful seasons at Inter Milan. His presence is sure to put £50m signing Ben White and Pablo Mari to the test at the heart of the Arsenal defence and gives Chelsea the reliable goalscorer they have been missing. Bet365 have 2.20 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 2.25.
Kai Havertz
The German has blown hot and cold since his move to Chelsea but saw his stock rise after his Champions League winning goal against Manchester City last season. He remains an integral member of the Chelsea squad and he could be one of the prime names to capitalize on a weak Gunners defence and perhaps get on the scoresheet. Bet365 have 2.85 while Bet9ja have 3.50.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.