Arsenal vs Chelsea: Match preview, betting tips and predictions

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Match preview, betting tips and predictions - Boxing day battle in the London Derby - Premier League

Timo Werner went head to head with Lukas Fabianski in the premier league at Stamford Bridge Stadium. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Arsenal vs Chelsea

Emirates Stadium

6:30pm

 

This is the worst of Arsenal any fan alive must have seen, they don’t only lack confidence, they can’t remember what it means to celebrate a win, playing high flying Chelsea in this round isn’t favorable.

 

Chelsea are fifth on the table, sitting six points behind leaders Liverpool, but they have a huge advantage here considering how poor Arsenal are at the moment and will feel disappointed if they get anything less than maximum points here.

Frank Lampard has said he is pleased with Chelsea’s season so far but he wants more from his lads.

He stressed that the fact that his team didn’t have a preseason and how inconvenient it was for new players to bed in, as well as injuries at critical points, halted progress but in all, he’s in a happy place.

Mikel Arteta on his part isn’t in a good place, rumors of dressing room unrest, as well as body language of key players, meaning he has more than poor results to deal with and the fact that he currently oversees Arsenal’s worst start to a league season since forever gives more headaches.

Arsenal continued their rotten form with another low end performance in midweek when they lost at home to Manchester City in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.

A much-changed side had spells of possession in the game but were largely outplayed by Pep Guardiola’s side.

Arsenal have the best record when it comes to Boxing Day fixtures, but how much of that will count when Frank Lampard’s side hit the Emirates on Saturday.

Chelsea clinically dispatched Westham last weekend, it was vindication for Tammy Abraham as he weighed in a brace to prove to Frank Lampard that he’s the man to lead the line for Chelsea but are we going to see the return of Olivier Giroud?

 With Theo Walcott scoring against Arsenal two weeks ago and Alex Iwobi leading Everton past his former club, it would be seen if Giroud will lead the line.

Chelsea will be without the defensive duo of Ben Chilwell and Reece James, leaving them with the prospects of playing Ceaser Azpilicueta and Emerson.

Arsenal will be without Thomas Partey but Granit Xhaka will be available for selection after serving his three-match ban.

Gabriel Martinelli and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will both be assessed ahead of the game after both suffered injuries at different points.

Of the last five between the two, each side won two and a very eventful 2-2 draw where Gabriel Martinelli rose to prominence.

 

Verdict: Chelsea to win