Arsenal need to pick up away form
ARSENAL’S clash with Chelsea a year ago marked the turning point in a season that finished with the English Premier League soccer title heading to Antonio Conte’s side at Stamford Bridge.
Arsene Wenger’s team inflicted a 3-0 defeat on their rivals at The Emirates that day but Conte used the experience to change his formation and Chelsea went on a 13-match winning league run.
For Arsenal, it was to be their only victory all season against any of the teams who finished in the top four.
The north London club came fifth, missing out on the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
The pressure will be on Arsenal on Sunday to avoid a third successive league defeat on the road, having already come unstuck at Stoke City and Liverpool.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have once again learnt from their mistakes to put together a three-match winning run following a shock opening-day home defeat by Burnley.
After their 6-0 victory at home to woeful Azeri side Qarabag on Tuesday, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said they were relishing the prospect of facing the Gunners.
“Sometimes it is good to face a big team early,” he said. “Last year it didn’t work out against Liverpool and Arsenal, but this season we have already won at Tottenham. It is good to face Arsenal now.”
A blockbuster of a Sunday does not end in London, with the late kickoff featuring Wayne Rooney’s return to Old Trafford as Everton take on league leaders Manchester United.
The 31-year-old former England captain is sure to get a warm reception from the club where he became record goal-scorer in January this year before returning to his boyhood team in July.
Ronald Koeman’s side are looking to bounce back from a chastening 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur, while Jose Mourinho’s new-look United have yet to drop a point at home.
United’s winning start to the season was halted at Stoke last week in a 2-2 draw, meaning they top the table on 10 points ahead of rivals Manchester City on goal difference.
Pep Guardiola’s City side travel to Watford tomorrow, with Marco Silva’s team unbeaten in the first four matches of a top-flight season for the first time. Tomorrow’s action begins with former England manager Roy Hodgson taking charge of Crystal Palace for the first time in their early kickoff at home to Southampton.