Two of the top teams in the Premier League resume their fierce rivalry at the weekend, as the Premier League Champions welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium.
The current league champions have made a terrific start to the league season, with two wins from two, following a win on the opening weekend against Coventry City (3-0) and Aston Villa (0-1) on Monday just gone. As ever, with a more defensive approach when it comes to Mikel Arteta's side, their defensive options have been bolstered with the addition of Ezri Konsa and in their first two games, there has been an element of control from the Gunners, with the side hardly looking fazed by the opposition posed to them.
Despite the signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, Arsenal still lost the dynamic Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal with no real replacement brought in, which could cause problems down the line. The Gunners have not conceded in their three domestic games this season, but they come up against a Chelsea side who looked revitalised under Xabi Alonso.
The Blues have kicked off their league campaign with two wins from two, but both games have highlighted the top-heavy nature of Chelsea's squad. The attacking trio of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers is already starting to click for Xabi Alonso's men with Palmer in particular providing three goal contributions in two league matches this season. Chelsea have won their last four matches, however, defensively they have still shown frailty over the first two games - conceding four in two games.
Chelsea will likely be without the protection of Moises Caicedo, who went off injured as a second-half substitute against Brighton & Hove Albion. The midfield has become a concern for Chelsea with the sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City on deadline day and the failed deal for AS Monaco's Lamine Camara.
For this fixture, we are leaning towards a victory for the Gunners. Chelsea have enough attacking talent to nick a goal at the Emirates as they did last season, but Arsenal have found a way to grind out these tough fixtures in the last 12 months, which could serve them well here.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea.
