2019-20 Premier League: Week 20 – Arsenal vs Chelsea

Mikel Arteta makes his home bow as Arsenal manager as the Gunners kick off Super Sunday at home to Chelsea in a mouth-watering London derby. 

Arsenal could re-enter the top ten with at least a point whilst Chelsea will stay fourth if they avoid defeat. 

 

Team news

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Calum Chambers is set to feature for Arsenal after sitting out their draw at Bournemouth through suspension. 

Hector Bellerin, Gabriel Martinelli, Dani Ceballos (all hamstring) and Rob Holding (knee) could also be available if they pass late fitness tests.

Kieran Tierney (shoulder), Sead Kolasinac (ankle) and Sokratis Papastathopoulos (head) are all ruled out. 

Chelsea could be without Reece James due to an ankle injury picked up during their Boxing Day defeat to Southampton. 

Marco van Ginkel (knee) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) are still long-term absentees for the foreseeable future. 

 

Stat Attack

• Arsenal are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings with Chelsea in all competitions (W2, D1, L2)
• Chelsea have conceded at least twice in their last three league trips to the Emirates Stadium (D1, L2).
• Chelsea’s Pedro scored twice against Arsenal last season, with both occasions coming when the Blues were the home team – including Europa League Final in Baku in May.
• Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored three times with his left foot in 19 appearances this season, compared to just two left footed goals in 36 appearances last season.
• Both teams have a 100% penalty scoring record from the spot in this fixture from 54 previous Premier League meetings.

 

Prediction

Expectations at Arsenal will be heightened because not only will Arteta make his home bow in the dugout, this is also an opportunity for the Gunners to get one over a struggling Chelsea side. 

The Blues however seem to like their London derbies under Frank Lampard this season with two wins from three, so I am expecting them to turn up and quickly try to establish a dominant foothold of this game. 

Do that then I can’t see Arsenal offering much in terms of creativity because they couldn’t even manage the basics against Bournemouth despite their dominance, especially when playing out from the back so I am going for a Chelsea win.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

Result: Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea