23 April 2024 , 12:05
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been told to expect a "really dangerous" game when the Gunners welcome London rivals Chelsea to the Emirates on Tuesday night.
The north Londoners are currently top of the table and could extend their lead to four points with a win over the Blues, but will have played two games more than reigning champions Manchester City. Were Pep Guardiola's side to win both of their games in hand, they would be two points in front of the Gunners even if Arteta's side beat Chelsea.
It has been a difficult few weeks for Arsenal, with last Saturday's 2-0 win away at Wolves the perfect response for two successive defeats against Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, the latter of which dumped them out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
While the Premier League could still be on the cards for Arsenal, rivals Chelsea have precious little left to play for this term. Out of all cup competitions and ninth in the table, Mauricio Pochettino's men will be playing for pride when they rock up at the home of the Gunners.
Ex-Chelsea ace and pundit Chris Sutton has made clear that Arteta's outfit cannot go into the game expecting a comfortable victory. He told BBC Sport: "Arsenal bounced back from a bad week really well against Wolves on Saturday and won comfortably, but Chelsea put in a good performance too despite losing their FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City.
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"This feels like a really dangerous game for the Gunners, and the rivalry between the two clubs is going to be a big factor as well. Chelsea probably should have beaten them at Stamford Bridge in October but let a two-goal lead slip late on.
"They are making progress under Mauricio Pochettino but they still have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot like they did that day. So, I am backing Arsenal to find a way of winning this one – although again it is going to be extremely close. Arsenal 2-1."
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Chris Sutton thinks Arsenal should be ready for a "really dangerous" game against Chelsea (Getty Images)Chelsea may already be at a disadvantage before kick-off amid rumours that star player Cole Palmer will miss out on this contest due to falling ill. The former Manchester City man has been in sensational form this season and bagged a goal against the Gunners in the first meeting between the two this term.
Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto are also injury concerns for Chelsea, which presents Pochettino with quite the headache when it comes to which full-back he'll name on either flank.
In contrast, Arsenal don't have too many fitness woes to contend with. Takehiro Tomiyasu sat out the trip to Molineux on Saturday but could return, which would mean Arteta has everyone apart from long-term absentee Jurrien Timber to choose from.
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