Arsenal Vs Chelsea
Sunday 22 August, 2021 – 16:30 (BST)
English Premier League
Pick: Chelsea Win
Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 20 August 2021)
Preview: Last season seen Arsenal complete the league double over Chelsea, winning 3-1 here at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have now won each of the side’s last three meetings in all competitions, a negative trend Sunday’s visitors to North London will be determined to reverse.
English Premier League Betting at Betfair
Arsenal – Depleted Gunners set for further misery?
Judging by the backlash which greeted their 2-0 loss away at Brentford on opening night, you would be forgiven for concluding the Gunners are in full blown crisis. It was a bad defeat, certainly. Compounded further by a feeble collective performance against a side sampling Premier League football for the first time. But there were at least some mitigating circumstances, such as being without several influential players.
Defender Gabriel, midfielder Thomas Partey, along with strike duo Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were all unavailable for the relatively short trip across the English capital. The unfortunate thing for supporters though, and in particular manager Mikel Arteta, is that none of that quartet are expected to return for Sunday’s visit of London rivals Chelsea. A fixture that had a transformative affect on the team last season.
Victory at home to the Blues last December came at a time when Arsenal were similarly in flux and formed the platform for a run of five wins in six, after previously winning just four of their first fourteen league fixtures. Some might argue that was versus Frank Lampard’s Chelsea at the time, which is true. However, the Gunners stunned Thomas Tuchel’s version at Stamford Bridge in May, earning their third straight head-to-head victory in all competitions.
Chelsea- Blues primed to reverse fixture fortunes?
There was a familiar feel to Chelsea’s display on Matchday 1. It was measured, it was efficient and it was ruthless. But it was also “only” Crystal Palace, whose underlying numbers last season were among the worst around and indicated a team who were incredibly fortunate to finish so far clear of trouble. A 3-0 scoreline was probably about par then. The Blues never venturing out of cruise control at Stamford Bridge (xG: CHE 1.16 – 0.34 CRY).
A sterner test should await at Emirates Stadium, even if the opposition are unlikely to be anywhere near to full strength. The Blues are without a win in four competitive meetings with the Gunners, losing both league meetings last time around. Although they were mighty unfortunate to go down 2-1 at home having comfortably won on xG. Yet that loss means they have won three of the last fourteen encounters with Arsenal (D5 L6).
If that record is particularly galling, one defeat in the nine Premier League matches overseen by Thomas Tuchel should go some way to restoring belief that this is a favourable match-up. One that the reigning European champions are primed to capitalise on. Chelsea offer a significant goal threat all while remaining steadfast defensively (no goalkeeper has more clean sheets since Tuchel’s arrival than Edouard Mendy). Neither of which are traits Arsenal boast at this moment in time.
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Arsenal Vs Chelsea Betting Advice
After doing the double against Chelsea in the league last season, Arsenal are seeking their fourth consecutive win over the Blues having also clinched the FA Cup with victory at Wembley in 2020. The host’s chances are diminished quite considerably, however, by the expected absences of several key players. The Gunners are likely to be without both Lacazette and Aubameyang, but will be boosted by a first start of the campaign for Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal Vs Chelsea – Key Facts:
- Having won both Premier League meetings between the sides in 2020-21, Arsenal are seeking a fourth straight victory against Chelsea in all competitions on Sunday.
- However, Chelsea have won their last four away London derbies, while Arsenal haven’t beaten Chelsea on a Sunday in any of their previous nine attempts (D2 L8).
- Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in May was one of only two league meetings between the sides not to see both teams find the back of the net.
In losing first time out to Brentford, Arsenal produced the highest volume of shots (22) on MD1, but just the 13 best xG figure (1.2). This suggests no lack of endeavour but more a case of not enough quality in attacking areas. Which doesn’t bode at all well when facing arguably the most well-rounded side in the league. Chelsea boast six away wins in nine league games under Tuchel, conceding six. Therefore the visitors should have too much in North London.
Best Betting Odds – Arsenal Vs Chelsea
Arsenal – 15/4 (WilliamHill)
Draw – 13/5 (PaddyPower)
Chelsea – 5/6 (Betway)
