Game Week 3 Predictions: Arsenal and Chelsea to fight to finish at the Emirates

It's a case of an unstoppable force, against an immovable object on Sunday at the Emirates. Can Arsenal continue their dominance over Ch...

It's a case of an unstoppable force, against an immovable object on Sunday at the Emirates. Can Arsenal continue their dominance over Chelsea? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 Arsenal vs Chelsea

Emirates Stadium

4:30pm

Arsenal's title credentials will be underlined once again by whatever they do in this fixture. The Blues are tipped to be the closest challenger to Arsenal this season; this is the right time to prove it.

Chelsea has won two games, as many as Arsenal this season, and the Blues have scored three goals more than the Gunners, but Arsenal is yet to concede a goal this season, while the Blues have retrieved the ball from their own net five times this season.

One or two of the three remaining 100% records will fly out the window on Sunday. Arsenal remains the favorite, not just because they play at home, but because recent records and squad stability favor the reigning champions.

You have to go back to 2021 for the last time the Blues beat Arsenal in all competitions. The current era is that of complete dominance by the Gunners over the Blues. Under Xabi Alonso, Chelsea has a chance to rewrite history.

Chelsea couldn't bring in a replacement for Enzo Fernández, who departed to Manchester City on deadline day. The Blues must make do with Romeo Lavia, who is quite injury-prone, and Moises Caicedo, who is also carrying niggles.

Reece James is another strong option in midfield. Xabi Alonso will hope to beat Mikel Arteta in their first encounter in the Premier League. The two friends will face each other as managers in the league for the first time, and it will be a cracker.

Jurrien Timber is back in training, but this fixture might come too soon for him. Ezri Konsa is primed for his first start in Arsenal colors on Sunday. Bruno Guimaraes is passed fit and is expected to partner Declan Rice in midfield.

Chelsea's attack is frightening. Cole Palmer is back to his best, and Morgan Rogers has added a different kind of vibe to the attack. The ever-reliable Joao Pedro will be ready to fire the Chelsea train up. This will be exciting.

Will Mikel Arteta trust Victor Gyokeres to start? Bukayo Saka has scored in each of the last two games; the England winger is already in elite company with his Arsenal record. Will it get better on Sunday? Mikel Arteta has a decision to make for the left wing; are we going to see Christos Tzolis or Eberechi Eze?

Verdict: Both teams to score.