Fans looking forward to Arsenal and Chelsea in Sunday’s London Derby.
A tantalising London derby takes place in gameweek two of the new Premier League season, as Arsenal and Chelsea bully off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners opened the new campaign with a dismal 2-0 defeat at Brentford last Friday, whereas Thomas Tuchel’s side eased to a 3-0 success over Crystal Palace.
Only now has it been confirmed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette’s ‘illnesses’ last week were actually COVID-19, because the two strikers were ruled out on the morning of the Brentford game before Mikel Arteta’s side were taught a footballing lesson by the newbies.
Sergi Canos rifled within the first goal of the Premier League season and Brentford’s first within the competition within the 22nd minute, and as Arsenal’s futile attempts to claw their way back to the sport did not bear fruit, Christian Norgaard bullied his way through the Arsenal defence to propel the Bees to a historic win.
Many believed that a campaign without European football would only benefit Arsenal domestically, but the Gunners – albeit one depleted by injuries and illnesses – began the season within the manner that Gooners feared following an equally woeful pre-season period.
However, as disgruntled supporters prepare to form their return to the Emirates, Arsenal can take some solace within the incontrovertible fact that they claimed back-to-back wins in their final two home games last term, although they were against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Bromwich Albion.
Having had 22 shots without finding the rear of internet against Brentford, the potential absences of Aubameyang and Lacazette are well and truly felt within the Emirates ranks, and worryingly, five of Arsenal’s last 10 opening home games have led to defeat.
While their London counterparts were being humbled, Chelsea simply cruised to 3 points during a capital derby of their own, striking 3 times without reply against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace ahead of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Marcos Alonso’s place kick represented a stellar thanks to open the Blues’ account for the new season, and therefore the Blues would increase their tally through Christian Pulisic’s tap-in and Trevoh Chalobah’s long-range effort – how to attain your first goal for the ecu champions.
Keeping the momentum going from their enthralling yet draining victory over Villarreal within the Super Cup, Chelsea have already risen to second within the fledgling standings, but the Champions League holders will undoubtedly have their eyes assail wrestling the crown off of Manchester City’s hands.
Chelsea fans need no reminding that their final road game last season led to a dampening 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, but that they had witnessed their side win six and draw two of their previous eight on the road before that and haven’t lost to Arsenal on a Sunday since the 2008-09 season.
However, Frank Lampard and Tuchel both had no answer to Arteta’s fluid Arsenal within the 2020-21 season, because the Gunners kickstarted their revival with a 3-1 Boxing Day win at the Emirates before Emile Smith Rowe capitalised on Jorginho’s error at Stamford Bridge for a 1-0 win, although Chelsea did prevail 2-1 within the Mind Series earlier this month.
Arsenal certainly have some bright young talent in their attacking ranks, but after experiencing little or no joy against Brentford, an identical story is probably going to follow against the champions of Europe.
With Lukaku bent score his first ever goal for Chelsea and therefore the Blues seeking to avenge back-to-back defeats last season, we will only see the blue side of London celebrating after Sunday’s game.
