While Chelsea will be confident at the Stamford Bridge, and of course after their comfortable away win against Huddersfield in their Premier League opener, Arsenal will hope, after being defeated by Manchester City, to perhaps claim their first point this season. The fixture represents a mutual test for both sides with new managers looking to imprint their philosophies on their teams. Last season, Arsenal faced Chelsea twice at Stamford Bridge – and it ended up 0-0 on both occasions. Giroud could become just the second player to score for both sides in this Premier League fixture, having netted against the Blues in February 2017. Arsenal confirmed on Thursday morning that Ainsley Maitland-Niles fractured his leg in the defeat to Man City, ruling him out for up to two months.

Source: The Guardian August 18, 2018 06:56 UTC