Premier League: why Chelsea can add to Arsenal's woes

Arsenal will be looking to get their faltering top-four bid back on track, but a trip to Stamford Bridge is never easy...

Arsenal now outsiders in the top-four battle

After three defeats in a row and four losses in their last five games, Arsenal are on the verge of being knocked out of the top-four race once and for all. Following Brighton & Hove Albion’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Saturday lunchtime, Mikel Arteta’s men had the chance to move level on points with their north London neighbours. Unfortunately for them they blew it, going down 1-0 to Southampton at St Mary’s.

Arsenal are only three points adrift of fourth-placed Spurs and they still have a game in hand on their rivals. But if Arteta’s side are to qualify for the Champions League, they must arrest their slide immediately. The way things are going, Arsenal are in danger of stumbling over the finish line.

Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea impressed at Wembley

Chelsea can keep Arsenal’s attack quiet

Chelsea will be on a high following their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday. That was an important win for Thomas Tuchel’s side after the disappointment of their recent Champions League exit; it means they still have something to play for as we head into the business end of the campaign.

Palace had a couple of half-chances at Wembley but Chelsea did a good job of shutting down their attack – and they could do the same to Arsenal on Wednesday. The Gunners have scored just two goals in their last five matches and failed to find the net in three of them. A Chelsea clean sheet looks good value at 2.44.

More broadly, it is hard to look past a home win. Arsenal have won at Stamford Bridge just once in the last decade (although that was last season) and have hit a rough patch of late. Chelsea are reasonably priced at 1.92 to come out on top.

Werner can cap fine form with goal

Timo Werner has not had the easiest time at Chelsea since his arrival in the summer of 2020, but his work ethic and positive attitude have made him a favourite of the Stamford Bridge faithful. He has been playing some of the best football of his Chelsea career of late and was named as the Man of the Match in the win against Palace.

Werner might never replicate his prolific RB Leipzig form in the Premier League, but he has certainly looked a threat in recent appearances. He took his goal against Real Madrid well at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and has now scored three times in his last four outings. The Germany international at 3.65 to make the net bulge against Arsenal.

Recommended bets

Chelsea @ 1.92

Chelsea clean sheet @ 2.44

Werner anytime @ 3.65