Arsenal and Chelsea will renew their rivalry this Tuesday when they meet at the Emirates for the 61st Premier League head-to-head meeting.
The Gunners are looking to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League table, albeit temporarily, after falling flat on their faces last weekend in a 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
That loss was not the main reason they are sitting second in the PL table, though, as their run of three consecutive draws before that game gave the initiative to City. So they enter this game without a win in their last four games (D3, L1).
For a side keen on winning the PL this season, such form is terrible and cannot give them a place on the podium. With the title destination now officially out of their hands, Mikel Arteta’s side will now hope City drops points to allow them a way back in the race.
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They will have to keep winning and take their chances should Pep Guardiola’s side drop points. And given that they have never lost against Chelsea in the Premier League between Tuesday and Thursday (W4, D6), it should boost their morale.
However, Chelsea will feel like they can get something from this game, given how poor Arsenal have been. The Blues are in dire form, having lost their last five games under Frank Lampard.
Their total points tally after 32 rounds of games has kept them closer to the relegation zone than the top four, with their 39 points the same as Bournemouth, who are still technically in the relegation zone.
Although the Cherries have played two games more than Chelsea, Lampard will know that getting into a scrappy fight to stay inside the top half isn’t impossible.
Should they lose here, Chelsea will lose 20 competitive games in one season for the first time since 1987/88. But despite all the negatives, the Blues can boast a relatively respectable record in PL London derbies this season (W3, D4, L4). Yet Chelsea have won just one PL game against current top-half opposition this season (W1, D6, L9).
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