“I don’t why Cole is so scared of him, I don’t think he’ll play for us tomorrow”: Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer is scarex of ONE Arsenal defender and has requested for a change of position against Arsenal

Arsenal and Chelsea will both be looking to avoid setting unwanted streaks when they square off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The two clubs head into their Premier League showdown with second-placed Arsenal holding a six-point advantage over their London rivals in the standings.

Blues head coach Enzo Maresca is of the opinion that the Gunners are clear favourites courtesy of having a longer period working under Mikel Arteta.

Furthermore, Chelsea also possess a dismal recent record against Arsenal, prevailing in just one of their last 11 matches against the North Londoners.

Nevertheless, each of these clubs are at risk of setting streaks that they will not want to own ahead of the weekend’s highly-anticipated showdown.

Which streaks are at risk?

Having accumulated 28 points from their 13 home fixtures in the top flight, Arsenal hold the second-best home record in the division, only being bettered by Liverpool.

However, as a result of their only such defeat to West Ham United in their most recent home encounter, Arsenal are at risk of losing back-to-back London derbies at the Emirates Stadium for the first time ever.

Furthermore, nearly three years have passed since Arsenal last suffered consecutive home defeats in the Premier League, losing to Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion in April 2022.

That said, Arsenal are currently on their longest unbeaten run against Chelsea since 2005 having gone six contests without defeat.

Chelsea not relishing Arsenal trip?

Meanwhile, Chelsea have not lose three consecutive matches away at Arsenal since between 2001 and 2003, meaning that they have never endured such a run of losses at the Emirates.

Having lose 3-1 and 5-0 in their most recent two visits, Chelsea are looking to extend that particular 22-year streak and avoid setting a new Emirates-based run.

Maresca’s side boast a miserable recent away record in the Premier League, collecting just two points from six games, but they have 21 points from 14 such fixtures in total.

At the same time that Chelsea have struggled for goals in the final third, Arsenal have shipped just 11 strikes in 13 home encounters this term.