Premier League: Arsenal vs Chelsea is a Capital City Classic

Arsenal vs Chelsea

London’s calling again for another huge clash as the 2024 Premier League title run gathers pace when Arsenal take on Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday. 

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday thanks to a hard-earned 2-0 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues missed a chance of a second cup final of the season when they lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup. 

This season has seen these giants tread different paths, as Arsenal have blazed a trail at the top of the league while Chelsea have endured a battle to escape the bottom half of the table.

But recent events have looked more kindly on the Blues, while Arsenal have suffered a difficult week, and Chelsea will fancy taking something out of a game with huge implications. 

Talking Points

Gunners show strength under duress  

Arsenal put the pressure back on Manchester City and Liverpool by negotiating this potentially tricky task away to Wolves on Saturday. After losing at home to Aston Villa last week, Arteta watched the Premier League 2024 betting odds swing quickly back to his old boss Pep Guardiola at City. And then a loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League raised more questions around Arsenal’s propensity to choke, as they did last season.

Arteta will recoil at such suggestions, and his team responded perfectly with a clean sheet and three points against the dangerous Wolves. Leandro Trossard, who has been pushing hard for a place in recent weeks, and skipper Martin Odegaard scored the Gunners’ goals, which took Arsenal a point ahead of Manchester City, having played a game more. 

Of all Arsenal’s Premier League 2024 results this year, the win over Wolves wasn’t the most spectacular, but it could be hugely significant, as Arteta alluded to after the game, saying, “I can’t tell you what the difference is. At the moment, we are fighting for the league again. We’re going to have to earn that win on Tuesday against Chelsea. We’ll give it a real go.” 

Chelsea’s Euro charge is on

The Blues certainly look a different side than they did a couple of months ago, and 11 points from the last five league games, including a 6-0 slaughter of Everton, lifted Pochettino’s team to within three points of Manchester United, in seventh place. 

Cole Palmer will be a key man against the Gunners. His direct running, superb ball control, and coolness in front of goal have made him a real prospect for England’s upcoming Euro 2024 campaign and taken him to the top of the race for the Golden Boot, scoring 20 goals alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

Palmer was unlucky not to win a penalty in the cup semi-final when his shot hit the hand of Jack Grealish; and he was a constant reminder to his former employers just how good he is.

By the time Bernardo Silva scored a late winner for the Sky Blues, Chelsea could have been a couple of goals up as centre forward Nicolas Jackson missed two good chances. He will hope to sharpen up in time for Tuesday, with the improving Mykhailo Mudryk also pushing for a start.

Pochettino is optimistic for the run-in, saying: “Now is the time to finish the season in the best way and then talk about how we can be better. Now we play Tuesday against Arsenal and we need to be ready.” 

History

Arsenal have edged the head-to-head encounters over the past three decades with 33 victories to Chelsea’s 27, and they won 3-1 when the two teams met at the Emirates last season.

 When they encountered each other at Stamford Bridge this season, the Gunners pulled off a superb recovery to draw 2-2. Palmer and Mudryk had put the Blues in firm control until Declan Rice and Trossard stole a vital point for Arsenal.

In terms of recent form, the Blues are very slightly stronger, with three wins, two draws, and one defeat from the last six games, while Arsenal have won three, drawn one, and lost two…but they did face Bayern Munich twice! 

Betting Tip

At SBOTOP odds of 1.48 to win this game, the Gunners are hot favourites. But they are under pressure, and this is a massive week, with a trip to Tottenham for the North London derby up next.

Chelsea are in their best shape of the campaign and, after outplaying Manchester City for long periods on Saturday, they will relish the chance to test themselves against the title chasers.

At odds of 5.10, I think a Blue victory may just be out of reach, but I think Poch’s team can cause Arsenal serious problems. 

 

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