Arsenal vs Chelsea predictions: Saka and Palmer to play starring roles in London derby
Tom McGarry
Arsenal have scored in their last 18 Premier League games
Chelsea's two Premier League matches this season have featured 12 goals
Recommended bet: Back both teams to score, Bukayo Saka anytime scorer & Cole Palmer over 2.5 shots @ 8/1 with LiveScore Bet
The Premier League weekend will be rounded off in some style on Sunday when London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea put their perfect starts to the season on the line at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have made an impeccable start to their title defence, recording back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Coventry and Aston Villa off the back of their resounding success over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
The Blues are also three wins from three, but, while they comfortably saw off Luton 2-0 in the EFL Cup, their league victories have been anything but straightforward, following up a 3-2 success at Fulham with last weekend's 4-3 triumph over Brighton.
The latest Arsenal vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
It was a quiet end to the transfer window in terms of incomings for Arsenal, but forwards Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri were among the contingent allowed to leave.
Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera were both forced off in Monday's win over Villa and, while the former should be fit, the latter is yet to return to training.
Bruno Guimaraes has also missed training and is a doubt, but Ezri Konsa is in line to make his full debut at the heart of the defence, while Jurrien Timber could feature for the first time this season as he edges towards a return from a groin issue.
As for Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez completed his long-protracted move to Man City on deadline day, but the Blues' failure to land a replacement has left them a little light in the middle of the park, especially as Moises Caicedo is a major fitness doubt.
Jordan Henderson (wrist) and Marco Palestra (unspecified) will also miss this game, with Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia set to start in the Blues' engine room.
The stats
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Chelsea across all competitions.
Chelsea's last victory over the Gunners was a 2-0 success at the Emirates in August 2021.
The Blues have lost on their last four Premier League away trips to Arsenal by an aggregate score of 11-2.
Cole Palmer is one short of scoring his 50th Premier League goal for Chelsea.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 16 London derbies in the league, winning 12 of those games.
The latest Arsenal vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Arsenal are yet to concede a goal this season, but their defence will be severely tested by Chelsea's in-form front three of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, who have nine goal involvements between them under Xabi Alonso.
The Blues scored on their last visit to the Emirates in March, but they are unlikely to keep Mikel Arteta's title favourites at bay at the other end.
Bukayo Saka has made a strong start to the season, scoring in the wins over Coventry and Villa and he is bidding to become the first Arsenal player since Alexandre Lacazette in 2020-21 to score in the first three league games of the campaign.
At the other end, Palmer is one away from scoring his 50th Premier League goal for Chelsea and he should provide a real threat, having fired off nine shots on the opening two matchdays, scoring two goals.
Score prediction: Arsenal 3-2 Chelsea
