Chelsea vs Arsenal: Match Preview and Predictions

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Match Preview and Predictions

Chelsea clash with Arsenal on Super Sunday in what is a blockbuster of a fixture. The two sides last met in the Community Shield fixture at the beginning of the season, after previously meeting in the FA Cup final. Arsenal won both fixtures, but Chelsea will be hoping to get revenge and continue the Gunners’ slow start to the Premier League season.

The Blues have had a better start to the season than their London rivals, but it is still early doors and a win for the Gunners would put the two sides level on points. Chelsea have already defeated Spurs so far this season, and a result against Arsenal would make a big statement about their title chances.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Chelsea, but new signing Danny Drinkwater could be available after suffering from a calf problem. Gary Cahill will be back for the Blues, after serving his opening day of the season suspension.

Arsenal will continue to be without Santi Carzorla and Francis Coquelin, but Jack Wilshere and Calum Chambers could be in contention to play a part.

After winning just four of the previous 16, Chelsea have won their last five home Premier League games against Arsenal. The Gunners haven’t kept a Premier League clean sheet at Stamford Bridge in their last 12 visits there, conceding at least twice in each of the eight.

Arsenal have lost their last five away Premier League games versus Chelsea, and haven’t lost six consecutive away league games versus a single team since a seven-game run versus Liverpool at Anfield between 1981 to 1988. Should Arsenal concede against Chelsea on Sunday, it will equal their longest run of away games without a clean sheet against a specific opponent in Premier League history (13 against Liverpool between 1999 and 2012). However, Arsenal have won two of their last four games against Chelsea in all competitions – but that is as many as they had in their previous 12 combined.

Chelsea have scored in 23 successive Premier League games at Stamford Bridge with over half of these (12) seeing them score three or more goals.

Arsenal have lost their first two Premier League away games of the season (0-4 vs Liverpool and 0-1 vs Stoke) – the last time that they lost their first three away games in a league season was 1954-55. Interestingly, this was also the season of Chelsea’s first top-flight title win.

The Gunners last won a Premier League away game against a side that finished in the top six last season, back in January 2015 (2-0 at Man City) – they’ve since lost eight and drawn five of their 13 matches on the road against these clubs.