Sunday 17th September 2017 Kickoff:1330hrs Chelsea v Arsenal Football – England – Premier League After a less than inspiring set of fixtures last week, it really is a Super Sunday this weekend starting with the London derby at Stamford Bridge. Champions Chelsea have recovered from that surprise defeat on the opening day of the season and will be looking to take their winning run in the league to four. Arsenal have had an indifferent start to their own campaign but may see this as an opportunity to restore some confidence and belief that they are capable of staying with the title contenders. These fixtures are rarely dull and with both clubs coming off the back of good wins in Europe, we should be set for plenty of entertainment.
Having endured a frustrating transfer window and then to lose in the way they did against Burnley, it would have been easy for Chelsea to feel sorry for themselves. Antonio Conte has been the subject of constant speculation as a result of those factors, but this is a champion team and they have responded in the best possible manner by winning their last four games in all competitions. Wins in the league away to Tottenham and Leicester, as well as a win at home to Everton sandwiched in between, was followed up with a thumping 6-0 victory against Qarabag in the Champions League on Tuesday. Conte was even afforded the opportunity to give some of the players who have not had as much action a start, leaving his regular starters somewhat fresher ahead of the visit of Arsenal tomorrow. You can sense the confidence growing amongst the Chelsea squad just now and they will be relishing this, in what is a fixture they have done very well in down the years.
This will be the first of six games (at least) where Arsenal will be required to play Sunday following their participation in the Europa League a Thursday night. Arsene Wenger was quick to claim that the change in playing pattern would not have an effect on his players but that remains to be seen, particularly as it has been an issue for many other English clubs in the past – and the fact there was an hour’s delay to their 3-1 win over Koln, coupled with this being an early afternoon kickoff would make it even more difficult. It was another win for the Gunners, all things told, and means they come into this one with two straight victories having brushed aside Bournemouth in the league last weekend. Like Conte, Wenger was able to make a number of changes to the team that played in Europe and with only a couple of those who started against Koln likely to feature from the beginning tomorrow, there should be no excuse. Arsenal come into this one with six points but have yet to win away from home in the league this term with defeats to Stoke and Liverpool, the latter of which they were thumped in. They would like nothing more than to get their first win on the road on Sunday against a team they’ve suffered plenty against.
This will the second meeting of the season between Chelsea and Arsenal having met in the Community Shield which opened the campaign. Arsenal were successful on that occasion but there’s no doubt this game carries much more meaning. There may not be as much rivalry off the field now that Jose Mourinho is not in the opposite dugout from Wenger, but there’s now doubting it’s still one of the most intriguing fixtures on the pitch.
Chelsea v Arsenal Betting Tip
It was honours apiece in the two league meetings last season as Arsenal cruised to victory at the Emirates whilst Chelsea got their revenge at the beginning of 2017. The Blues most definitely had the last laugh in the league as they finished as champions, a full 18 points ahead of Wenger’s men. The Gunners did manage to secure another FA Cup triumph, however, at the hands of Chelsea, so the two sets of players will be plenty familiar with each other.
From the evidence we’ve seen so far then it looks very much business as usual for Chelsea and Arsenal. The blip against Burnley aside, Conte has got his team back to the level they were at from October onwards last season whilst Arsenal continue to be inconsistent in everything they do. We know what we’re going to get from the visitors as they seem incapable of changing their style or approach. If Chelsea are near anything like the level they have been of late then they are going to be too powerful and strong, and will collect another three home points.
Chelsea 4/5 @ Bet365
