Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea on Sunday at the Emirates in what will be the 204th London Derby between the 2 clubs. The clash has come at a time when both clubs are experiencing vastly different fortunes. The Gunners are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 loss to newcomers Brentford in the first game of the new Premier League season. Chelsea meanwhile are European Champions having won the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup. The blues also recorded an emphatic 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in their first Premier League game of the season. Form however goes out the window in Derbies especially when these two London clubs meet.
Arsenal will face Chelsea in the London Derby on Sunday. Click here to place your bet on the London Derby on nairabet.com.
ARSENAL’S WOES
Arsenal are in a bad state, simply put. The season has only just started and they already look like they’re in crisis. Not only are they not playing well, they have players out with COVID including their captain. Their misery was compounded and exposed in their embarrassing 2-0 loss to Brentford in the Premier League opener. The last thing they need right now is a match against the Champions of Europe and their shiny, new £97.5m striker.
Mikel Arteta is under immense pressure having led Arsenal to one of their worst ever seasons and missing out on European Football for the first time since the 1995/1996 season. Their opening day loss did not do well to ease the fans fears either. He will however be buoyed by Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea. The Gunners were in a similar position when they hosted Chelsea last season but outclassed them in a 3-1 win. That win kick-started a mini revival for Arsenal but they ultimately lost steam and finished 8th. They then pulled off another surprise by beating Chelsea 1-0 at Stanford Bridge in a match where everyone expected them to lose.
This season could however be Arteta’s last chance to prove that he’s the man to take Arsenal forward. The Gunners have spent £129m on 5 players this summer making them the biggest spenders in the League. A win against Chelsea in the London Derby could kickstart a run of much needed wins. A loss would heap further misery and pressure on Arsenal and Arteta.
Arsenal beat Chelsea home and away in the Premier League last season. Click here to bet on Arsenal to beat Chelsea again @ 4.60 odds on nairabet.com.
FLYING CHELSEA
Chelsea are flying under Thomas Tuchel. They’re the ultimate Champions of Europe, holding both the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup trophies. Their Super Cup victory was especially instrumental in quelling any thoughts that their UCL win was a fluke. Things could have been even better if Chelsea didn’t lose the FA Cup final to Leicester.
As if they didn’t already have a good team, Chelsea recently brought Romelu Lukaku back to Stanford Bridge for £97.5m highlighting their ambition and goals for this season. Lukaku led Inter to the Serie A Title last season scoring 23 goals and was named the League’s best player. Chelsea undoubtedly have the Premier League Title in mind this season. The morale in the team and among the fans will be high heading into Sunday’s Derby against Arsenal.
Tuchel will however be wary of Arsenal. While he wasn’t Chelsea’s manager when they suffered a 3-1 loss at the Emirates, he was in charge as the Gunners shocked Chelsea 1-0 at Stanford Bridge. In fact, Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in any competitive game since their 2-1 victory at the Emirates in December 2019. With new signing Lukaku poised to be involved on Sunday, Tuchel and Chelsea fans will be hoping for an instant impact. A win in the London Derby would further highlight Chelsea’s credentials for the Premier League Title.
Romelu Lukaku is expected to make his second Chelsea debut against Arsenal. Get Lukaku to score @ 2.36 odds on nairabet.com.
HEAD TO HEAD
Arsenal have a superior head to head record over their London rivals Chelsea. In 203 competitive games between both clubs, Arsenal have won 80 while Chelsea have won 65. The pair have drawn 58. Arsenal also have the recent advantage winning the last 3 games between them including the 2020 FA Cup final. They also beat Chelsea home and away in the League last season. Chelsea however beat Arsenal 2-1 in their pre-season friendly earlier this month.
Leave a Reply