Premier League: London Calling for a Post-Break Belter!

Chelsea vs Arsenal

The Premier League is back in action after the international break and the box office match of the weekend is in the capital city, where Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

West London will be awash with Blue and Red and the anticipation for this game is higher than for a while, higher even than it would have been just a few weeks ago. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have been one of the best sides in England for a couple of years now, pushing Manchester City all the way last season. Meanwhile, Chelsea have been something of a basket case.  

A big money takeover and rapid turnover of managers has done nothing to improve matters on the pitch at Stamford Bridge; but owner Todd Boehly finally seems to have made a good decision with his appointment of Mauricio Pochettino for the 2023/24 campaign. And after an understandably sketchy start the Blues are beginning to look like a threat again; and that’s what makes this game such an enticing prospect.

The Gunners come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Manchester City before the break and while the Premier League 2023 betting odds still make the Sky Blues odds on to win the 2023/24 title, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are second favourites at 5.00, ahead of Liverpool at 6.00. Chelsea thrashed Burnley 4-1 last time out and a packed crowd at Stamford Bridge will be hoping, or dreaming, of more of the same.

Talking Points

Old hand Sterling can lift the Blues

This Chelsea squad is the youngest in the Premier League, though Vincent Kompany’s Burnley Babes have a younger starting 11. But while a young team can bring energy and ambition, every team needs to have some experience in the toughest league in the world. Raheem Sterling was simply sensational in Chelsea’s 4-1 win away to the Clarets. He had a hand in all four goals, scoring one, assisting one, winning a penalty and forcing the own goal which gave the Blues an equaliser on the cusp of half time.

Chelsea visibly grew in confidence as the match went on and the win, coming on the back of victories over Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion, will do the team the world of good. Sterling’s performance against Burnley was so good it was a mystery that England manager Gareth Southgate had left him out of his squad to face Italy.     

Sterling will be a good mentor for striker Nicolas Jackson, whose arrival at Stamford Bridge was greeted with a fanfare but he has made the wrong kind of Premier League 2023 news, picking up a stunning five yellow cards in his first six games and collecting a suspension before the end of September. But Jackson has scored two goals now, including one against Burnley and he can improve game by game.

Former Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has just announced his retirement and how the Blues fans would love to see their Belgian maestro in the current line up. But with some exciting young players and summer marquee signing Christopher Nkunku still to come back from injury I think Pochettino’s team will get stronger as the season progresses.  

Back to back league wins have taken Chelsea up to 11^th position in the table and now they have their eyes on the top four which is just six points away.  

Saka set for Arsenal return

Arteta has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, led by inspirational skipper Martin Odegaard and with some serious talents in his ranks including Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. The best of the lot, on the evidence of the last 12 months, is wide man Bukayo Saka. His pace, footwork, vision and shooting prowess make Saka one of the most exciting talents on the planet and Arsenal fans feared the worst when he was missing from the line up against the Sky Blues. Martinelli’s deflected strike gave the Gunners their shock win to lift them above the champions and, if they are to stay in the title race then the return if Saka is a must.

The 22-year-old missed out on England’s internationals but reports emerging from North London say that his injury is not ‘too serious’ and he s targeting a return for this London shootout. Leandro Trossard picked up an injury in the win over City so Saka could slot straight back in.         

History

Arsenal have been in charge of the head to heads in the Premier League era, but it’s been a competitive battle with 33 victories to Chelsea’s 27 and there have been 20 draws. Arsenal won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last season as centre back Gabriel poked the winner home from close range.   

In terms of recent form, Arsenal have won four, drawn one and lost one of the last six games, while Chelsea have won three, drawn one and lost two…but the Blues have won their last three.  

Betting Tip

Arsenal are in second place in the Premier League table, behind Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference alone; and a win on Saturday will keep them ahead of favourites Manchester City; but this is a really tough task.

Chelsea are at SBOTOP odds of 2.62 to win this game with Arsenal at 2.29, and when Pochettino’s team starts playing as he wants they will be a force to be reckoned with…and that might not be too far away.   

For an alternative bet, a 1-1 draw at 5.41 is a likely outcome.

 

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