Arsenal seeking return to form against Chelsea

Arsenal host Chelsea on Saturday desperately needing a victory to boost their hopes of finishing inside the top four in the Premier League.

The Gunners head into the weekend fifth in the table, six points adrift of Chelsea and level with Manchester United having won just one of their last four league outings.

Chelsea are only a point behind third-placed Tottenham Hotspur after picking up 10 points from their last four games.

There is little to choose between the two sides in the match betting, with Arsenal priced at 15/8 to win the game and Chelsea on offer at 13/10.

The draw is available at 13/5 and many punters will be eager to use Paddy Power sign-up offers 2019 to take advantage of what look generous odds for the match to finish all-square.

Arsenal with be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck who are all out injured at the moment.

Lucas Torreira should start after being rested, while Mesut Ozil may return to the bench after being left out of the squad entirely last weekend.

Alvaro Morata is a slight doubt for Chelsea with a hamstring problem, although with a move away from the club on the cards he is unlikely to figure at the Emirates Stadium. Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains out for the Blues.

The two sides fought out a five-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, with Marco Alonso’s late strike settling an end-to-end affair.

Mauricio Sarri’s side had built a two-goal advantage inside the first 20 minutes as Pedro and Morata fired the Blues ahead.

Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi put the Gunners on level terms, but Alonso swept in substitute Eden Hazard’s cross nine minutes from time to secure the victory.

The result was Chelsea’s first win against Arsenal in their last seven meetings in all competitions and they will be eager to follow up that success this weekend.

However, the Gunners’ need for three points on Saturday will undoubtedly see them come out in a determined mood at the Emirates.

Having looked on course to mount a serious challenge to finish in the top four, Unai Emery’s side have gone off the boil a little over the last few weeks.

Man United’s resurgence under temporary manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has seen them draw level on points with Arsenal and they now look genuine contenders for a Champions League qualification spot.

With Harry Kane’s ankle injury potentially impacting Spurs’ hopes of a top four finish, it is imperative that Arsenal regain their form over the coming weeks to keep themselves in the mix.