Chris Sutton has now given his prediction for tonight’s Premier League clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Gunners are back in action later this evening having come off a big 2-0 win on Saturday against Wolves, where Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard were the heroes for Arsenal in what was an important result for Mikel Arteta.
Another win tonight against ninth-place Chelsea will take Arsenal four points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League standings, with Liverpool due to play Everton tomorrow as Pep Guardiola’s side face Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
And Sutton has now given his prediction for tonight’s London derby.
Arsenal predicted to beat Chelsea in ‘extremely close’ match
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton claimed that Arsenal will edge past Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in a 2-1 win, with the pundit predicting the north London side to find it difficult this evening against Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Whilst the Blues gave Arsenal a good game earlier in the season, the news that Cole Palmer could be out for tonight’s match might be all it takes for the Gunners to secure another three points, with Arteta’s side motivated to beat their London rivals once again.
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Sutton said: “This feels like a really dangerous game for the Gunners, and the rivalry between the two clubs is going to be a big factor as well. Chelsea probably should have beaten them at Stamford Bridge in October but let a two-goal lead slip late on.
“They are making progress under Mauricio Pochettino but they still have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot like they did that day. So, I am backing Arsenal to find a way of winning this one, although again it is going to be extremely close.”
Arsenal will want to send a statement tonight against London rivals
With five Premier League games left this season, the race for the title truly begins now, where Arsenal will realistically have to win every game if they’re to beat City and Liverpool to top spot this year.
And that starts tonight with a win against Chelsea, a fixture Arsenal will want to send a message to their Premier League rivals heading into this Sunday’s much bigger clash against north London rivals Tottenham.
Indeed, three points tonight will put pressure on City and Liverpool to perform in their midweek fixtures, and Arsenal can set to the tempo for the last five games of the season with a big win later today.