Premier League: Antipathy, Animosity, and Aubameyang

Chelsea vs Arsenal

The antipathy of this fixture has arguably never been greater than in the Premier League era.

First it was Arsenal who were top dogs in London and who so often managed to defeat ambitious Chelsea when it mattered the most – in both league and cup.

Initially, that remained the case even after Roman Abramovich arrived on the scene and bankrolled the west Londoners to become a major force at home and abroad.

Then Jose Mourinho arrived, the animosity promptly grew on and off the pitch and the club from the capital with the bigger backing left their rivals in the dust as their financial power took hold.

Of course, while it is now a different era, the animosity still comes to the surface occasionally so we can likely expect Premier League 2022 highlights.

Both clubs want to be title contenders again and, as the Gunners head to Stamford Bridge for a Sunday lunchtime showdown, they do so from a position at the summit.

Talking Points

Chances are by the time this has kicked off, Arsenal will have been overtaken at the top by champions Manchester City who play a day earlier. Yet, the way they despatched Nottingham Forest last Sunday shows they have a confidence which will not be easy to dent.

They may also have the boost of being able to include Bukayo Saka. The winger limped out of the Forest match but, after initial fears he may be out for a few weeks, he came on as a substitute in the Europa League in midweek.

He is likely to make the bench along with full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, signed this summer from champions Manchester City but a player who has missed most of the recent action until Thursday.

Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a clean bill of health which is something his Chelsea counterpart, Graham Potter, was not so fortunate to achieve from midweek action.

Against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Potter named a back four for the first time since he succeeded Thomas Tuchel as boss – perhaps a reaction to last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at former club Brighton.

However, that was the least of his concerns as deep in stoppage time, full-back Ben Chilwell fell to the floor clutching his hamstring.

Chilwell looked understandably frustrated once he was able to get to his feet, but he continued to hold the back of his leg before needing assistance from Chelsea’s medical staff to get off the pitch.

Before the diagnosis, it seems certain that he will be out of this game as he battles to be fit for the World Cup.

The most intriguing aspect could be what reaction Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang receives from the Arsenal faithful, just nine months after he left the Gunners and headed to Barcelona.

For a player who loved scoring against Chelsea, what price a goal on Sunday in a blue shirt?

History

Over the years, Arsenal have won 81 of their meetings with 66 Chelsea victories and 59 draws.

When these sides met in the second weekend of last season, Chelsea were dominant and ran out 2-0 winners thanks to first half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Reece James.

That was only Chelsea’s fourth victory in their last 15 meetings in all competitions in this long-established rivalry.

Arsenal gained revenge in fine style at Easter, however, with a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge in which their youngsters shone as Saka was joined on the scoresheet by Eddie Nketiah (two) and Emile Smith Rowe.

Arsenal also beat them in the 2020 FA Cup Final when talisman Aubameyang worked his magic as the Gunners came from behind to win the FA Cup for a record 14th time.

That gained revenge for a clash 15 months earlier – a 4-1 Chelsea success in the Europa League Final.

Betting Tip

Home advantage helps give Chelsea the edge over their London rivals with the SBOTOP Premier League 2022 betting odds, but it is mighty close.

That is because the hosts can be tipped 1X2 @ 2.62 with the Gunners 1X2 @ 2.66.

The Asian Handicap odds are equally as close and include Chelsea -0.25 @ 2.29 and Arsenal -0.25 @ 2.33.

If there are to be six goals and a re-run of the corresponding fixture last season, then Correct Score 2-4 will earn you a healthy pay day @ 95.00.

These games are often tight, other times they produce goals aplenty so options range from Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.50 to 4-6 @ 3.35 and Over 2.75 goals @ 2.12.

So which way will this head? Well, I think it will be mighty close at the Bridge.

 

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