Arsenal and Chelsea clash in a London Derby at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, a match that could have a major impact in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League. The reverse fixture in September ended goalless, one month after Arsenal won the Community Shield against the Blues after a penalty shoot-out. Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in last season's FA Cup final, and they also defeated the Blues 3-0 at home in the Premier League as well. Chelsea have not won at the Emirates Stadium since 2016.
Arsenal have won just one of their last three matches, on New Year's Eve they were held to a 1-1 draw at West Brom after a rather disappointing performance. They are still in the race for a top-four finish but they need to get back to winning a few matches in a row soon, otherwise the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool could build a serious gap. Manager Arsene Wenger has plenty of injury worries ahead of this match, with Sead Kolasinac and Laurent Koscielny picking up knocks last time out. Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud and Nacho Monreal are also injured, but the Spaniard might recover in time.
Chelsea have won their last two matches and they have not conceded a single goal in their last four Premier League games. They ended 2017 with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Stoke City and it seems Antonio Conte's players have found the tempo that led them to the title last season. It might be too late to push for a title challenge now as Manchester City are already 14 points away, but now the Blues are solid candidates for the runner-up spot. David Luiz and Charly Musonda are the only injury concerns for the away side.
Probable line-ups:
Arsenal: Cech - Chambers, Mertesacker, Mustafi - Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles - Sanchez, Welbeck - Lacazette
Chelsea: Courtois - Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger - Zappacosta, Fabregas, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso - Hazard - Morata
My prediction: Chelsea to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Arsenal win - 2.87
Draw - 3.50
Chelsea win - 2.54
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