Where Arsenal vs Chelsea will be won as we predict winner of early Premier League title decider

ARSENAL and Chelsea are set for the first big derby of the Premier League season that will pose as a major challenge for the titleholders’ ability to retain the crown for the first time ever. The Gunners finally ended their long journey back to the top of the Prem last term after 22 arduous years since their Invincibles triumph and pose as favourites this time around as well. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may be missing some key men against Chelsea Credit: Getty Images – Getty Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso will face Arsenal with a depleted midfield Credit: Getty Images – Getty And the North Londoners will put that to the test against a fighting Chelsea side who, just like their rivals, won both of their opening fixtures in the English top flight. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, though, may have to do it without Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and blockbuster signing Bruno Guimaraes, while fellow star arrival Ezri Konsa may make his full debut filling in for the injured William Saliba. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! New Chelsea Boss Xabi Alonso, on the other hand, officially starts life without Enzo Fernandez and will need to find answers for a depleted midfield that may see Moises Caicedo joining Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra in the injured list. But who will emerge victorious on Sunday at the Emirates? SunSport’s Arsenal and Chelsea reporters share their predictions: Simon Collings Arsenal correspondent ARSENAL will be confident of beating Chelsea on Sunday – and the midfield battle is a key reason why. The Blues have just lost Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125million and Caicedo is struggling for fitness. Contrast that with Arsenal, where Arteta arguably has the best set of midfield options in Europe. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Top football travel deals That was shown during Monday night’s win over Aston Villa, where the trio that came off the bench was Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. They cost a combined total of over £150m and sum up that ridiculous amount of depth the Gunners have in that department. Arsenal will look to dominate possession and the early signs suggest that Alonso’s Chelsea will be happy to let them do so. Arteta’s side will also hope to get some joy in attack against a Blues team that have looked leaky at the back. The arrival of goalkeeper Emi Martinez will help, but he has only just come in the door and can expect a hostile reception at his old club on Sunday. Chelsea’s hopes of causing an upset rest on their attack, which has looked excellent in the first two games of the season. But Arsenal’s defence was the best in the Premier League last season and it has only got stronger. In previous years, the absence of William Saliba for a game of this magnitude would be a major cause for concern. Now, though, Arteta can simply turn to Ezri Konsa – who joined this summer from Aston Villa as part of a deal worth £55m. Chelsea ace Joao Pedro will be key alongside Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers Credit: Alamy Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has started very strong this season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Konsa, more than anyone else, will know how best to stop Chelsea’s marquee signing in attack, Morgan Rogers. The pair spent over two years together at Villa Park and are also England team-mates too. It is yet another factor that falls in Arsenal’s favour ahead of a game that could set the tone for a potential title race. PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea DAN KING Chelsea correspondent CHELSEA’S irresistible force against Arsenal’s immoveable object – that is one way of looking at Sunday’s derby day showdown at the Emirates. The Blues’ in-form attacking trio of Cole Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro will give the Gunners’ as-yet-unbreached defence a real test, perhaps even their biggest of the campaign. But this match, like most clashes between heavyweight sides, is likely to be won and lost in the midfield. And that is why Chelsea fans will be nervous. Alonso is yet to be able to start main man Caicedo this season because of injury and his team have looked lightweight in the centre at times in both Premier League games so far. It feels likely the Blues’ starting pair against Arsenal will be captain Reece James and Romeo Lavia. They have not played together often yet must find a way to assert themselves against the Gunners’ tried and tested combination of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, plus the re-emerging Myles Lewis-Skelly. Chelsea were overrun by Brighton for long periods, after taking a 3-0 lead, and needed a moment of inspiration from Palmer to halt the Seagulls’ comeback. Chelsea star Moises Caicedo poses as a doubt against Arsenal Credit: Getty Images – Getty Arsenal have won both their Premier League matches this season, as did Chelsea Credit: EPA If the Blues let Arsenal dominate possession and territory in the same way, they will struggle to put their forwards in a position to hurt Arteta’s team and leave their unconvincing defence vulnerable. Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system has allowed Chelsea’s wing-backs to get forward and do damage. But against Fulham and Brighton, there was a lot of space behind them to exploit, especially on the Blues’ left flank. In addition, centre-back Maxence Lacroix has had a mixed start to his Blues’ career and could find himself targeted by Arsenal. Chelsea must try to keep the game tighter than the five-goal and seven-goal thrillers against Fulham and Brighton. If they succeed, the outcome could be determined by set-pieces. New dead-ball guru Austin MacPhee is a high-profile presence on the touchline, directing players in both attacking and defensive situations, just as Arsenal counterpart Nicolas Jover does. If a MacPhee set-piece earns Chelsea victory, maybe he will get a mural on the Fulham Road. PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea Comment now