Arsenal’s title charge is running on fumes as the Premier League season enters its final month, and they’ll be in must-win mode as they host a slumping Chelsea team on Tuesday.
This London derby was originally scheduled for Saturday before police intervention prompted a date change, but both teams have likely benefitted from a few extra days to regroup.
The Gunners were outclassed in a humbling 4-1 loss to Manchester City last week, making it four straight games without a win. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford on Wednesday stretched their losing run to five games, with the Blues sliding to 12th place under interim boss Frank Lampard.
Check out our free Arsenal vs Chelsea picks and predictions for a closer look at this Tuesday, May 2 showdown.
Arsenal vs Chelsea best odds
Arsenal vs Chelsea picks and predictions
As Mikel Arteta acknowledged after the lopsided result at the Etihad Stadium last week, the Arsenal players will be reeling after a game that was billed as a title showdown but had more of a men-against-boys vibe.
But this Gunners team has been resilient all season, and I expect them to take out their frustration against Chelsea here. The title race isn’t over, and a win on Tuesday would strike a psychological blow of putting the hosts back at the top of the table, at least temporarily.
Despite a disappointing April with some costly defensive lapses, Arsenal haven’t had problems scoring. Before the Etihad meltdown, Arteta’s men had netted two or more goals in each of their last five games — and hit three or more in three of them.
It should help the hosts to be facing a Chelsea team that’s seemingly short on confidence, form, and chemistry. Results have continued to slip since Lampard’s surprise return to Stamford Bridge, and the Blues haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last five games.
While the visitors’ depth of forward options hasn’t translated to an explosive attack, the Gunners’ depth feels like more of a positive, with Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah waiting in the wings.
I see Arsenal starting with a frenzy, and I like these plus odds for the hosts to overwhelm a Chelsea defense that’s missing Reece James and possibly Kalidou Koulibaly as well.
My best bet: Arsenal Over 2.5 Goals (+225 at bet365)
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Arsenal vs Chelsea side analysis
It says a lot about Chelsea’s woes that Arsenal are heavy favorites against their London rivals here, despite last weekend’s beatdown and a four-game winless run.
But it’s hard to argue with a price that’s been slashed as low as -190 for the Arsenal moneyline in some sportsbooks. Chelsea have looked lost under Lampard and are in the midst of a worse run than the hosts. The Blues’ miserable April featured six losses and a draw from their seven fixtures, and they haven’t won since March 11.
Lampard fielded a bizarrely defensive line-up against Brentford last time out, with Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling the only attackers in the starting XI. Injuries to Mason Mount and Kai Havertz have hurt Chelsea at that end of the pitch, but Havertz is expected to return here, and it would be a surprise if one of Mykhailo Mudryk or Joao Felix aren’t promoted from the bench.
Even so, the Blues are limping towards the end of a nightmare season, and the hosts have far more to play for on Tuesday.
Arsenal vs Chelsea Over/Under analysis
A Gabriel goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 win in the teams’ prior meeting this season, which was a far cry from the 4-2 goalfest a year ago. But I’m counting on a more open, end-to-end contest here as the Gunners turn to Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus to steady their title pursuit.
William Saliba’s absence at the heart of the Arsenal defense continues to be a huge blow, but the visitors haven’t looked like punishing anyone in the final third. Chelsea have been shut out in six of their last seven games, with Lampard seemingly unsure of his best attacking options.
The Blues had 73% of the possession against Brentford, but it was the same old story — no goals and only four shots on target. That doesn’t bode well for cashing in a BTTS wager, but the potential for a turbo-charged Arsenal performance makes the Over 2.5 goals worth a long look.
Arsenal vs Chelsea game info
| Location: | Emirates Stadium, London, England |
| Date: | Tuesday, May 2, 2023 |
| Time: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | USA Network |
Arsenal vs Chelsea key injuries
Arsenal: William Saliba CB (Doubtful), Takehiro Tomiyasu LB (Out), Mohamed Elneny CM (Out)
Chelsea: Kai Havertz AMC (Questionable), Kalidou Koulibaly CB (Questionable), Mason Mount AMC (Out), Reece James RB (Out), Marc Cucurella LB (Out)
Arsenal vs Chelsea recent form
| Teams | Last five matches |
|---|---|
 Arsenal |
W-D-D-D-L |
 Chelsea |
L-D-L-L-L |
Arsenal vs Chelsea weather
The forecast calls for mild, dry conditions in North London on Tuesday, with temperatures in the low 50s at kick-off.
