Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal will look to lay down a marker when they host rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Both teams have made perfect starts to the new campaign, with the Gunners beating Coventry 3-0 before securing a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Chelsea have won three from three under new manager Xabi Alonso, with the Spaniard helping his team beat Fulham 3-2 in their Premier League opener, before they cruised past Luton Town in the EFL Cup and won 2-0.
Last weekend's 4-3 success over Brighton was further progress under Alonso, and a positive result against the Gunners will be a sign that the Blues mean business under the former Real Madrid coach.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea betting picks and predictions
Arsenal to win and both teams to score (+225)
Arsenal's success under Mikel Arteta has been built on defensive stability, but there's every chance they lose their first clean sheet of the season.
The Gunners have been solid as per usual at the back, but injuries to Cristhian Mosquera and William Saliba mean that Ezri Konsa could be handed his first start.
Konsa is a perfectly capable defender, but a lack of cohesion may be their downfall, especially against a Chelsea side that have looked so dangerous in the final third this season.
Both teams have scored in three of the last four head-to-head meetings and Arsenal conceded four goals against Chelsea last season in four fixtures.
However, Arsenal have had the bragging rights in this fixture for several years. The Gunners have not lost to Chelsea since August 2021 and the reigning champions proved against Aston Villa that they can grind out a victory when they need to.
Over 4.5 cards (-120)
Games between these two rivals have often been hard work for officials and last season was further evidence of that.
In the four matches between the pair, there were 22 yellow cards brandished and two reds.
Chelsea will need to slow the game down on occasions and be clever, and the same can be said for Arsenal.
Chelsea's front three is arguably the best in the Premier League, so Arteta will have no issues with his players conceding cheap fouls in order for his team not to lose control.
Add in the rivalry between these two capital clubs, and there's every chance we see another feisty battle.
Cole Palmer 1+ shot on target (-138)
Playmaker Cole Palmer has started the season in style and he looks to be playing with a point to prove after he was snubbed by England boss Thomas Tuchel for the recent World Cup.
Palmer had to play with several injuries last season, but he looks sharp and back to his best in the first few weeks of the season.
The former Manchester City ace has scored two goals already and he has fired nine shots at goal. While only three of those have hit the target, he should see plenty of the ball on Sunday.
Arsenal's elite defence should force Palmer to shoot from outside the box, but that should not mean he cannot hit the target.
Alonso looks to have given Palmer a new lease of life and he should find himself in strong shooting positions on a regular basis, especially with Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro playing up alongside him.
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Arsenal vs. Chelsea odds
Arsenal | -143 |
Tie | +280 |
Chelsea | +375 |
Arsenal vs. Chelsea player props
Anytime goalscorer
Kai Havertz (Arsenal) | +140 |
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) | +175 |
Christos Tzolis (Arsenal) | +210 |
Joao Pedro (Chelsea) | +225 |
Cole Palmer (Chelsea) | +240 |
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) | +333 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
