Premier League preview: Arsenal face tough test at Chelsea

Arsenal’s season is in danger of imploding after two disappointing defeats at Newcastle United and Inter Milan over the past few days.

The Gunners went into the 2024/25 campaign with high hopes of winning major silverware, but things have not gone according to plan.

Their midweek defeat at the San Siro has left them in danger of missing out on an automatic place in the Champions League knockout stage, but that is the least of their concerns right now.

Arsenal were one of the bookmakers’ favourites to win the Premier League title this term, but they are already seven points adrift of top spot after ten games.

Bettors considering wagering on the Gunners to end their title drought would be well-advised to use their bankroll on the best payout casino platform right now.

Predicting how the reels will fall on a slots game is easier than forecasting whether the Gunners will produce a performance worthy of title contenders.

Mikel Arteta’s side can ill-afford another defeat at Chelsea on Sunday if they wish to remain in the Premier League title race this term.

If the Gunners lose at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool win at home to Aston Villa, the gap between the two clubs would be ten points.

While it may be too early to suggest Arsenal would be out of the title race, overcoming such a sizeable deficit would be extremely difficult.

Arteta’s comments after the defeat at Newcastle last weekend painted a worrying picture for Arsenal fans, with the manager claiming they lacked ‘purpose’.

Although Martin Odegaard’s absence has clearly had an impact, Arsenal’s shortage of intensity at St James’ Park was hugely concerning.

That point was hammered home late in the game when Declan Rice spurned a glorious chance to equalise with a header which lacked conviction.

The miss summed up a dismissal performance by the England midfielder, whose display left many people questioning why Arsenal paid £105 million to sign him.

Rice’s set-piece delivery was also woeful, following a trend which has become increasingly prevalent in recent weeks. Quite why Arteta persists with him is anyone’s guess.

Arsenal’s failure to sign a prolific goalscorer during the summer transfer window is another factor which is impacting their chances of success this season.

While they have had plenty of possession in the last couple of games, it has failed to produce the desired results where it matters.

If they display the same profligacy at Chelsea this weekend, the home side undoubtedly have the attacking talent to punish them.

The Blues have looked much-improved under manager Enzo Maresca this season and will fancy their chances of boosting their Champions League qualification hopes on Sunday.

They head into the game ahead of Arsenal on goal difference and a victory would cement their status as top four contenders.

Midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will relish facing Rice, while Cole Palmer could have a field day a little further forward.

Palmer has been a standout performer for Chelsea this season and looks a good bet at odds of 19/10 to score any time during the game.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five outings against Chelsea (W4, D1), but that record will likely count for little given their opponents have improved this season.

Avoiding defeat will be the priority for Arsenal this weekend, although that could still leave them nine points behind top spot after the latest round of matches.

The Gunners desperately need a pick-me-up at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea are fancied to add to their woes by securing a narrow victory.

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