Chelsea have chance to make huge statement

Chelsea take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this weekend and they can send a huge message to the rest of the Premier League if they manage to pull off a result against the league leaders.

Despite some poor results this season, like the home loss to Sunderland, the Blues find themselves second in the Premier League and six points from Arsenal.

Football fans and the media are all predicting Arsenal to win the match, and this won’t be a shock for Enzo Maresca’s side, but they have already sent a big message this week following their 3-0 win over Barcelona.

The Gunners have nine wins, two draws and one loss, with some already suggesting that the Premier League is all but won.

Mikel Arteta now has a very strong squad, not just a strong starting XI, and this quality is starting to show as they have managed to score 24 goals, whilst only conceding six. 

Whilst all the plaudits have been going to Arsenal, Chelsea have quietly gone about their business behind the scenes and will be very happy with the fact that they are second. 

A win against Arteta’s side would see them just three points behind the league leaders, sending out a huge message to the rest of the division.

It’s been even more impressive that they have managed four wins out of five in the league with Cole Palmer injured.

Chelsea do have the qualities to score past this formidable Arsenal defence, especially with Gabriel injured. Pedro Neto is on form, with two Premier League goals in his last two games, whilst Palmer could return to the squad following his injury. 

The big battle will be in the midfield, where Moises Caicedo faces off against Declan Rice. The pair are arguably the two best midfielders in the league this season, and both are among the favourites to win the PFA Player of the Year award, according to mybettingsites.co.uk, so it will be intriguing to watch them compete against each other. Caicedo has proved he has the qualities in defence and attack in order to be the talisman for the Blues this weekend.

Chelsea have had an awful record against Arsenal over recent years, with the Blues managing just one win in the last 12 matches between the two sides. This win was back in 2021. Since then, they have lost five times and drawn twice.

Not only would a victory make a huge statement to those outside of the fan base, but also within, as it would break this awful record against fierce rivals.

There is no doubting that there are still questions over Maresca and whether he is the right man to lead Chelsea to lifting trophies again, whilst many believe the squad is too young to challenge for first place, but a win would definitely silence critics for the time being and put Chelsea in a great position in the league before a hectic December schedule.