Prediction: Arsenal vs Chelsea

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Desperate to make a return to winning ways on Tuesday night, Arsenal will welcome Chelsea to the Emirates for a heavyweight London derby.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have marked their return from March’s international break sat firmly in pole position to claim a first Premier League crown since 2004, Mikel Arteta’s side have come crashing back down to earth. Eventually getting hit with what looks like it could be a season-defining 4-1 drumming away at Manchester City last time out, the Gunners have now failed to win any of their last four top-flight appearances and they are now facing a real uphill struggle. Knowing that they face what is a must-win showdown on Tuesday night, Arteta will have a growing headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Although the midweek hosts might have mounted a stunning late comeback at home against Southampton earlier in the month as they eventually snatched a 3-3 draw, the north London outfit have collected just a single clean sheet from any of their last 10 straight appearances across all formats – a run that stems back to a 4-0 romp against Everton on March 1st.

Team News

Arsenal will once again be without the trio of Mohamed Elneny, William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu on Tuesday night.

While Gabriel Jesus might have failed to find the net in back-to-back Premier League appearances, the ex-Manchester City striker will once again spearhead Arteta’s attack. Despite not making a top-flight start since returning from March’s international break, Jorginho could be handed a full recall here.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have shockingly welcomed Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge last month, it is no secret that the Blues are enduring a public nightmare. Last seen putting in another woeful display on home soil as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against west London rivals Brentford, the former Premier League champions have now lost each of their last five straight appearances across all competitions. Crashing out of the Champions League on April 18th following a routine 4-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Spanish giants Real Madrid, the ex-Everton boss already faces a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. Likewise, remarkably failing to win any of their previous eight outings – a run that stems all the way back to March 11th, Tuesday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their rather glaring issues in the final third. It should be highlighted, Chelsea have recorded just a single strike from any of their last seven consecutive outings.

Team News

In what is a huge blow for Chelsea, the Blues will be without England international Reece James after the 23-year-old picked up a hamstring injury.

Likewise, Lampard’s side will travel to north London on Tuesday night without the likes of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Armando Broja. With Chelsea recording just a single strike from any of their last seven straight appearances, former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be handed a full recall here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Premier League meeting on November 6th, Arsenal picked up a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
• Likewise, the Gunners have won five of their last six meetings against Tuesday’s guests.
• Chelsea have lost each of their last five straight appearances across all competitions.
• The Blues have remarkably scored just a single strike from their last seven appearances.
• Arsenal have failed to win any of their previous four consecutive Premier League outings.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might now find themselves facing a real uphill battle in their bid to dethrone Manchester City, the Gunners should be smelling the chance to claim a crucial boost here. Watching Chelsea only continue on what has been a remarkable five-match losing run, Tuesday’s hosts should also be boosted by a stellar record against their London rivals. In fact, along with claiming a 1-0 win when they traveled to Stamford Bridge for their reverse Premier League meeting on November 6th, Arsenal have won five of their last six showdowns against Lampard’s struggling squad.

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet