Gunners to raise their game
A ‘must not lose’ for Arsenal if they’re to remain in contention for a Champions League place.
Home comforts
Gunners fans of the view that Unai Emery overseeing a 22 game unbeaten run pointed to a new era for Arsenal, have been brought crashing back to earth with an inconsistent set of results symptomatic of their team in recent years.
Their annual Anfield capitulation was quickly followed by an inept showing at the London Stadium to make it five without a win on the road. But while Arsenal have showed little sign of toughening up away from the Emirates, they continue to rack up the points on home soil.
Only Manchester City and Liverpool own a better home record than Arsenal who have won 8 from their 11 played and the last four on the bounce. They've scored an average of three a game too. In a season which has begun to unravel in true Arsenal fashion, there’s a crumb of consistency that may just see them edge this London derby.
Chelsea’s lack of punch
The signs were promising early on with Sarriball looking as if it would take the Premier League by storm to see Chelsea challenge for the title. But just like their opponents, little has come of an encouraging start and The Blues are also faltering.
It’s not hard to pinpoint where their problems lie though. The goals that were coming at a fair old rate at the start have dried up to the extent that they’ve failed to score in three of their last six league fixtures.
If Eden Hazard isn’t firing on all cylinders, neither are Chelsea it seems and while the Belgian has the potential to win a game on his own, he does need help on occasions. Neither Morata or Giroud appear capable and so it’s little surprise to see The Blues scour the market once more for a number 9 to boost their goal return.
Six-pointer?
Is it too early to say Arsenal will be out of contention for the top 4 if they lose this game? Well, with 13 games left to play, perhaps it would be slightly premature to rule them out completely.
Chelsea will be firmly in the driving seat should they win though. A nine point gap looks beyond this Arsenal squad in truth. They’d need Chelsea to lose three of their remaining fixtures (and win themselves) which is by no means impossible but highly unlikely with Chelsea having lost just three of their 22 games so far.
Arsenal also have a resurgent Man United to fend off. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has managed to close the gap between 6th and 5th to just goal difference and has another favourable set of fixtures to look forward to. Ideally a win will see Arsenal enhance their top 4 chances but a draw is the bare minimum to ensure Arsenal at least remain in the mix.
Betting tip
Weird to say maybe but Arsenal’s need for the points is greater than that of Chelsea - they simply need to stay in touch. Because of this I’m tipping the hosts to come out on top. I’ll do so via a DNB though - being a derby and a top 6 clash, these games often have a habit of being close affairs.
Arsenal’s record at the Emirates actually surprised me and they’ve shown they can raise the game when the better teams visit already this season as the draw with Liverpool and win over Spurs suggest.
Nick’s tip: Arsenal DNB @ 11/10 (2.14) with Unibet
