Chelsea will hope for the misery at Arsenal when the two sides square up at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were by far the best of Brentford during the start of the season, and the manager is well aware that a positive answer must come immediately.
Unfortunately, the answer must come against European champions Chelsea, who took apart Crystal Palace for a 3-0 victory in the last race.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
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Matt O’Connor-Simpson
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August 18, 2021
When is it kick off? Sunday 22 August, 16:30 (BST)Where is the match played? Emirates StadiumWhat TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (USA)Who is the judge? Paul TierneyWho is WHERE? Chris Kavanagh
Lacazette and Aubameyang feel bad / Pool / Getty Images
Arsenal are hoping to get deals for both Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale over the line in the near future, but even if they are ready soon, this game will come far too soon for either of them to play a role.
The Gunners will also be without Alexandre Lacazette, who is recovering from COVID-19, but there may be returns for both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Willian, who also tested positive but will be released from isolation in time for the game.
However, there will be no comebacks for Thomas Partey (ankle), Gabriel (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (ankle).
TT, Thiago and Rome. ? pic.twitter.com/LQpRczEL0H
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) 19 August 2021
Romelu Lukaku has already confirmed that he plans to make his debut against Arsenal, and by now that’s all Chelsea fans really care about.
To maintain his positivity, Thomas Tuchel expects to welcome midfielder N’Golo Kante back from the injury that was taken up in the Super Cup final, but Hakim Ziyech, on the other hand, remains busy with the shoulder injury in the same match.
There are also doubts about winger Christian Pulisic, who did not take part in the open training session at the bridge and was not pictured at training on Thursday, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still dealing with COVID-19.
Arsenal: Leno; Chambers, White, Mari, Tierney; Lokonga, Xhaka; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Saka; Martinelli.
Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Havertz; Lukaku.
??????? ising? @emilesmithrowe | #CHEARS pic.twitter.com/cs9Y2tcCdQ
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) 13 May 2021
Arsenal have actually had the bragging rights in this match recently. They have won each of the last three meetings between the two teams, including a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in May.
The Blues have not beaten Arsenal since December 2019, when they rocked the Emirates and took a 2-1 victory thanks to late goals from Jorginho and new Roma buyer Tammy Abraham.
Chelsea have not lost four straight games against Arsenal since 2004, when Claudio Ranieri was still in charge and Roman Abramovich was still on the early pages of his checkbook.
Chelsea are the favorites for this / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
It’s no secret that Chelsea are the favorites for this one. They may not have the best recent record against Arsenal, but at the moment the mood around each club can hardly be more different.
Arsenal are still picking up after being emphatically dampened by Brentford, and if Ivan Toney could give them so many problems, just think what Lukaku could do with their shaky back line.
Add to that the fact that Arsenal are likely to be without their top three strikers, and you’ll see why Chelsea will be sure to win this one.
Prediction: Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea
