Premier League Quick Preview: Arsenal Vs Chelsea
Recent meetings between Arsenal and Chelsea have lacked significance due to the decline of the Blues, but this season's first meeting promises to change all that.
The Champions have begun their title defence with two wins from two, and they have yet to concede a goal, while Chelsea also have a maximum six points, but they have had to fight for those points.
The Blues beat Fulham 3-2 in their opener and followed that up with a 4-3 win last weekend against Brighton.
On home turf, Arsenal are favourites on betting apps, but this is a chance for Xabi Alonso to register a statement win.
Chelsea To End Drought
It's been a while since Chelsea celebrated a win over their London rivals, you have to go back to August 2021 for the last time the Blues won.
Romelu Lukaku and Reece James were on the scoresheet that day and it's been nine league games and two cup ties since a Chelsea win.
This will be the most confident Chelsea fans will feel in recent seasons when facing Mikel Arteta's side, who ended their two-decade wait for the chance to be called champions of England.
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Blues Gunning For Glory
If the first two matches are how Alonso wants Chelsea to play, then they will be a must-watch every week.
They are the only team to have scored three times in their opening two games, but they face a Gunners side that have yet to be breached.
Chelsea have registered shots on target in both wins over Fulham and Brighton, but will they be able to do so against the champions, who have limited their opponents to just one goal-bound effort?
Hot Streaks & Stats:
- Arsenal are unbeaten across their last 16 London derbies (W12, D4).
- There have been an odd number of goals in eight of Arsenal’s last nine home league matches.
- Six of Chelsea’s last seven Premier League fixtures produced over 2.5 goals.
- At least three Chelsea players were booked in each of their last three away league fixtures.
Early Season Team Streaks
- Arsenal yet to concede - 2 games
- Chelsea scored 3+ goals - 2 games
- Chelsea conceded 2+ goals - 2 games
- Chelsea 17+ shots registered - 2 games
- Chelsea 6+ SoTs registered - 2 games
- Chelsea 14+ shots allowed - 2 games
- Chelsea 6+ SoTs allowed - 2 games
Early Season Player Streaks
- Bukayo Saka (ARS) 2+shots - 2 games
- Joao Pedro (CHE) 4+ shots - 2 games
- Cole Palmer (CHE) 4+ shots - 2 games
- Morgan Rogers (CHE) 3+ shots - 2 games
- Kai Havertz (ARS) 2+ shots - 2 games
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (ARS) 2+ fouls won - 2 games
- Martin Odegaard (ARS) 2+ tackles - 2 games
- Cole Palmer (CHE) 2+ tackles - 2 games
- Jarrel Hato (CHE) 2+ tackles - 2 games
This will be Arsenal's stiffest test so far in their title defence, with Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer firing off four or more shots, while Morgan Rogers has three or more shots in both Chelsea's matches.
If Arsenal get through this, then their fans will believe a second successive title could be celebrated come May.
