Game Week 9 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Mauricio Pochettino's reign at Chelsea would face a major test when Arsenal comes to town on Saturday, How will this play out? (Photo credit: Sporting News)

 Chelsea vs. Arsenal

Stamford Bridge

5:30pm

Chelsea has won three straight games in all competitions for the first time in a long while, and that has given them belief ahead of the visit of Arsenal to the Stamford Bridge Stadium.

The Blues will pay tribute to one of them, Eden Hazard, who announced his retirement from football last week, one player who won the Premier League title for consecutive seasons. We hope he stays longer, but his place in the history of the game is forever secured.

Arsenal beat Manchester City just before the break, and that has helped beliefs at North London as well. Speaking of that side of London, both North London sides are yet to taste defeat this season; will Chelsea heap one on the Gunners?

The fitness of Bukayo Saka is in doubt, and it’s the same for William Saliba, but Arsenal has enough depth to present a quality side to take on Mauricio Pochettino’s side on Saturday. It’s a fixture that could determine a lot for either side considering their present situations in the league.

Arsenal could go top regardless of what happens elsewhere on the day, at least until Tottenham plays on Monday, and that is enough motivation. Liverpool would have played and could top momentarily, and Manchester City would have played and could be ahead of everyone by the time Arsenal plays; the Gunners must win.

Chelsea is in the bottom half of the league table, worrying considering their squad quality, but you can make an excuse for their Argentine manager, who needs the players to gel before you can judge him. How much time does he have?

Chelsea can welcome back their captain, Reece James, as well as a fully fit Armando Broja, but they still have a host of names on the table. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes would hope to dominate in the middle of the park, but they could have a tough setup to face.

Mikel Arteta could start Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard together in the midfield for the first time this season, and that’s a tough nut to crack for anyone. Arsenal fans would hope the manager wouldn’t revert to the early-season formation that frustrated most of them.

Arsenal has dominated this fixture in recent years, and they will hope to continue their quality away form that has seen them keep a clean sheet in every game away from the Emirates since the start of the league season.

Verdict: Arsenal to win