Arsenal vs. Chelsea predictions: Spluttering offence vs. porous defence

Neither Chelsea nor Arsenal are particularly convincing these days, but at least the Blues are not coming off a loss to West Ham. Here are our predictions for the London derby.

Chelsea were fortunate to face Arsenal in the second week of the Premier League season. The Blues’ rudimentary Sarrismo was enough to tumble past Arsenal’s Emeryball. The Gunners hit their stride very soon after, and did not lose again until December 16. Fortunately for the Blues, Arsenal have lost four and won three of their last eight. Maurizio Sarri may benefit from timing in this London derby yet again.

Tan Yi Hao: Arsenal 2 – 2 Chelsea. Arsenal have been pretty dreadful recently and their 1-0 loss to West Ham last time out left them level on points with Manchester United. The Red Devils had endured their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign, and Arsenal have become the internet’s latest laughingstock.

While this should point to a comfortable Chelsea win, form hardly matters when it comes to feisty derbies. This will undoubtedly be the case today, especially considering the potential nine point gap Chelsea could open. This fixture will not be easy by any stretch of my imagination.

Scott Brant: 2 – 3. Chelsea will have their hands full, so I am expecting a high scoring game with no real defensive ability on display. Maurizio Sarri will turn again to the false-nine, which may slow things down a bit for Arsenal. Eden Hazard with a brace, and Olivier Giroud to net one late against his old people.

Rupert Meadows: 1 – 1. An early goal gives way to a closely fought game. This yields chances for both sides, but they fail to capitalise on them.

Chelsea dominate the midfield in defense but, without a dynamic attacking creative midfielder, have trouble navigating around Lucas Torreira. Arsenal look to hit on the counter with quick play through the wings but come up short against Cesar Azpilicueta / N’Golo Kante and Marcos Alonso / Mateo Kovacic. A cagey game throughout, but ultimately a little flat.

Barrett Rouen: 1 – 1. I don’t feel particularly good about this match. Chelsea don’t have a striker or anyone who will make a big difference. Meanwhile, Arsenal are in a great way. Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are strong, intelligent, complete strikers. They are exactly the sort of player Chelsea have trouble with.

Mason Plummer: 1 – 2. I’m not overly confident about this game, as the London derby always is tough. Arsenal may be reeling at the moment, but there is no doubt they will turn up against the Blues.

Chelsea will find it difficult to create through the midfield because of the very potent pivot of Torreira and Granit Xhaka, and because they lack a true attacking midfielder. They will rely on Eden Hazard – again – to create. He will be on the scoresheet along with an Antonio Rudiger header.

Abhishek Pancholi: 4 – 2. On paper, this has all the ingredients to be a fascinating matchup between two sides in very similar situations. The north London reds are in the middle of a post-Wenger transitional season. Unai Emery’s decisions are increasingly questioned by his own supporters, and the shadow of Mesut Ozil casually jogging on the pitch has become a rare occurrence. Their midfield combinations are randomly generated and their defence has more holes than a generic bad guy who rubbed The Punisher the wrong way. But what they’ve got going for them is their attack, and that will turn out to be the difference on the day.

A toothless Chelsea side will gladly accept the gift of two goals courtesy of Arsenal’s shambolic defending, but their own defence will crumble against a second-half onslaught from the Gunners. The sight of Gonzalo Higuain holding up a Chelsea shirt in the evening will only make it worse.

Kevin Peacock: 0 – 1. Neither side is particularly prolific in front of goal at the moment. By the same token, neither side will want to lose. I’m tempted by the 0-0, but Eden Hazard does like to score against the Gunners and he could be the difference. Chelsea’s defence has become more settled and efficient over recent games – let’s not forget they prevented Manchester City from scoring – and David Luiz is a big game player.

A win for Chelsea will put them above Tottenham, at least for 24 hours, and nine points in front of Arsenal. We just have to hope Maurizio Sarri and his Chelsea side realise the importance of the game and are able to cement a place in the top four and next season’s Champion’s League.