Arsenal will be desperate to get a big result after a tumultuous start to the campaign when they host European champions and London rivals Chelsea. They’ll take heart from the fact that they are currently on a three-match winning streak against the Blues. Chelsea will also be keen to get a result, as they look to firmly establish themselves in this season’s title race. All eyes will be on Romelu Lukaku as he is set to make his second debut for Chelsea. Arsenal too could hand debut to new signing Aaron Ramsdale.
When: Sunday, 22nd August, 4:30 PM (BST)
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
How to watch in India: The match will be broadcasted on Star Sports Select 1/HD, and streamed on Hotstar VIP
Arsenal vs Chelsea: H2H
Played: 58
Arsenal: 22
Draw: 17
Chelsea: 19
Opta Stats
- Chelsea have only won three of their last 14 games against Arsenal in all competitions (D5 L6), losing each of their last three games against the Gunners (2020 FA Cup final, both 2020-21 Premier League meetings).
- Chelsea have won their last four away Premier League London derbies, last winning five in a row between January 2005 and January 2006 under José Mourinho.
- Though they’ve won their first home league game in each of the last two campaigns, Arsenal have lost their first league match at the Emirates in five of the last 10 seasons (W4 D1). The Gunners had only lost their first home league game in five of the previous 29 seasons.
- Arsenal haven’t beaten Chelsea in any of their last 10 Premier League meetings on a Sunday (D2 L8) since winning 2-1 in November 2008 at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners are, however, unbeaten in their previous eight Premier League Sunday matches overall (W6 D2).
- Chelsea have won 15 of their last 20 away Premier League matches in August (D3 L2), although this is their first away league match against Arsenal in this month since 1984, when they drew 1-1 at Highbury with Kerry Dixon cancelling out Paul Mariner’s opener for the Gunners.
League Position
Arsenal: 17th
Chelsea: 2nd
(The league positions are before matchweek 2 started)
Form
Arsenal: L
Chelsea: W
Team News
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Willian, Alex Lacazette and goalkeeper Alex Runarsson all returned positive Covid tests. From the lot, Aubameyang and Willian could return. Gabriel Magalhaes (knee), Thomas Partey (ankle) and Eddie Nketiah (ankle) are also set to miss out.
For Chelsea, Christian Pulisic is ruled out after testing positive for Covid. Hakim Ziyech (shoulder) and N’Golo Kante (ankle) missed last week’s opener and could return. But the big question is whether Romelu Lukaku will make his debut from the start or off the bench.
Prediction
On paper, it seems like a foregone conclusion. Arsenal are in tatters right now whereas Chelsea are looking like title contenders. However, matches are not won/lost on paper, and we saw that in the pair’s meetings last season. Arsenal somehow manage to get a result against Chelsea, and I think it may just happen again. They need a big result in a big game to get some stability. Chelsea will hope the addition of Lukaku solves their goal scoring woes. If that happens, they are a real force. The gulf between the two teams in rising, and even a draw for Chelsea might be seen as a bad result.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea