Arsenal vs Chelsea! Who Will Win?
Arsenal host Chelsea in a Premier League London derby on Sunday with pressure already on the Gunners to cause an upset.
Mikel Arteta’s side have had something of a frustrating transfer window despite the £50m arrival of Ben White, and stumbled into the new season with a 2-0 opening-day defeat at newly-promoted Brentford.
The performance and result set alarm bells ringing, and Arsenal must pick themsleves up quickly if they are to better last season’s eighth-placed finish.
As for Chelsea, the Champions League holders are expected to be serious title contenders this term - especially after re-signing £97.5m Romelu Lukaku. The Blues brushed off Crystal Palace 3-0 last weekend, and Thomas Tuchel will be confident of three more points in north London... but anything can happen in a derby.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both missed the trip to Brentford due to illness, and Arteta is unsure whether the forwards will be available for this weekend.
As for Chelsea, club-record signing Lukaku has declared himself fit to face the Gunners, with the only question mark over whether he will start or come off the bench for his second debut for the Blues.
Trevoh Chalobah has started the season well with a memorable goal against Palace, and could start once again here - though Tuchel may be tempted to bring Thiago Silva back in for his experience.
On paper, Chelsea are firm favourites for this derby - but given Arsenal won both meetings last season, it is unwise to back a comprehensive victory.
Much will depend on whether Aubemayeng and Lacazette are available, as Arsenal looked short of attacking ideas against Brentford in their absence.
Still, Chelsea will fancy their chances of a win with Lukaku likely to play some part.
Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea