Arsenal could stamp their authority on Premier League title race against Graham Potter's Chelsea

When Arsène Wenger left Arsenal in the spring of 2018, not many would have envisioned they would have played their last Champions League match for six seasons. The thrashing to Bayern Munich a year before would serve as Wenger’s last European appearance in charge, and despite Unai Emery reaching the Europa League final, a loss to Chelsea in Baku meant that fans have had to be patient for that iconic Tony Britten anthem to ring around the red half of north London.

Indeed, their London rivals Chelsea have been an ever-present thorn in their side, even under new boss Mikel Arteta. While the Spaniard gained a measure of revenge with victory in the 2020 FA Cup final, he is still yet to secure European football at the Emirates Stadium after collapsing at the back end of last season.

Things look different this year though. A savvy transfer window ensured Arteta papered over the cracks of his fragile defence and bolstered the firepower in the attack required to make Arsenal one of the favourites for the Premier League title.

Obviously, this isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. While Arsenal are top of the league at the time of writing, their wait for a first title in 20 years as well as a first Champions League appearance for six depends on the consistency of current champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola, who Arteta learned under as an assistant at the Etihad Stadium, will be keen to win a third successive title, and it’s down to Arsenal to prevent this.

Having already beaten north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and then Liverpool in dramatic circumstances, the league is in Arsenal’s hands heading into the winter break for the World Cup. But the prospect of an away trip to Stamford Bridge against Chelsea represents the sternest test of their title credentials so far, just edging the Chelsea v Arsenal betting.

Chelsea have undergone a serious facelift this season. Despite so much transfer activity, in which new owner Todd Bohely shelled out over £200 million, the American deemed coach Thomas Tuchel not fit for purpose, and in admittedly harsh circumstances, relieved the Champions League winner of his duties. Graham Potter is the man to replace him at Stamford Bridge. The former Brighton manager was working wonders with the Seagulls on the South Coast and although he is still in his teething stages after making the step up, he’s started brightly and looked to get the best out of an experienced group of players.

This game is just as big for Potter as it is for Arteta. In terms of the battle for top four, games like this often prove decisive. The influence of a hostile midweek crowd underneath the floodlights could be key to Arsenal’s demise. The Gunners have an emotional dressing room, and in recent history have been known to crack under pressure, with the temperament of Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Magalhães often to the side’s detriment.

However, this is an Arsenal side that is maturing with each passing victory. Arteta heaped on the praise for his team against Liverpool and believes that the win is a step in the right direction even if we are only a quarter of the way through the season.

“I’m really happy, really proud of the team and really satisfied with the way we played,” he said. “We showed real desire, composure, quality and courage to play and win the game the way we won it.

“Physically what we have done, and what the players have produced individually was phenomenal. There’s not another way. Against Liverpool you have to match or be better than them at that.”

Only time will tell if Arsenal have what it takes to go all the way. But winning the battle of the Bridge could be a turning point in their season, and the momentum they garner from a big three points on the road could indeed carry them beyond the World Cup and into the business end of the campaign. But Potter’s Blues will be sure to prevent their London opposition from walking away with anything as the Englishman looks to win over his new set of fans.