We’re three weeks into the season, and we have the first box-office, must-watch Premier League game with Arsenal and Chelsea facing off at the Emirates on Sunday.
The reigning champions have started well, but so have Chelsea, and my Arsenal vs. Chelsea prediction are expecting Over 2.5 goals between these London rivals.
Read on for my free betting picks & Premier League predictions for Sunday, September 6, with kickoff at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Arsenal vs Chelsea picks and predictions
TOP PICK
My Arsenal vs Chelsea top pick: Over 2.5 goals (59% probability)
Arsenal might be yet to concede a goal this season, but Chelsea will pose a far more dangerous attacking challenge than newly promoted Coventry and a disjointed Aston Villa, missing a number of key players. Despite only being in charge for a couple of months, Xabi Alonso has reinvigorated this Chelsea attack.
The movement of Joao Pedro helps to bring fellow attackers Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers into play. The Brazilian also looks sharp in front of goal, with two in two already, while Palmer seems to have rediscovered his 2024/25 form after a summer off.
The movement between those three is key to Chelsea’s attack, and Arsenal are still without two of their first-choice back four, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, and Ezri Konsa has only just arrived at the club and is set for his first start here.
So there may be a level of unfamiliarity that Chelsea can exploit, especially if Alonso can push up fullbacks Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato to add to attacks.
During his reign at Bayer Leverkusen, we saw how crucial the wingbacks were in building attacks, so expect their overlaps and mismatches to create chances on Sunday, too.
My Arsenal vs Chelsea who will win: Arsenal (57% probability)
All that talk of Chelsea isn’t to say that the West London club will get the three points; after all, the Gunners are rightful favorites and look to have improved since last season.
Last year they looked defense-first, but through the opening pair of games they’re playing on the front foot more and look expansive in the final third.
They wanted another striker before the transfer window closed, but Kai Havertz remains the best option in the squad, largely because of his movement and his reading of the game, rather than his finishing.
Bukayo Saka offers a directness that can trouble Chelsea, especially if they get caught with their left wingback too high up the field. Meanwhile, Christos Tzolis looks to have quality in his deliveries and can feed more balls into the box.
Arsenal's central midfield is where they can win this game.
Declan Rice is already established as one of the best in his position, capable of breaking up play and moving the ball forward, but with either Myles Lewis-Skelly or Bruno Guimaraes, they have a player capable of taking the ball on the turn and dribbling through Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, or Bruno Guimaraes, who can add a goal threat if he’s selected to start.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea same-game parlay (SGP)
Arsenal to win
Both teams to score
Xabi Alonso's new-look Chelsea attack is a recipe for goals and will give Arsenal a real test, but the Blues have given up five goals in two games, and the Gunners should be able to seal all three points.
And there's plenty more where that came from as we dish on our Premier League predictions for every matchweek 3 game.
Arsenal vs Chelsea odds
Arsenal
ChelseaOdds courtesy of DraftKings Predictions.
How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea
| Location | Emirates Stadium, London, England |
| Date | Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 |
| Time | 12:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
| Weather | Mostly cloudy |
Arsenal vs Chelsea key injuries
Arsenal: William Saliba CB (Out), Jurrien Timber DEF (Out), Cristhian Mosquera CB (Questionable).
Chelsea: Jordan Henderson CM (Out), Moises Caicedo CB (Questionable).
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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