Event of the Day: Arsenal versus Chelsea
Our event of the day is the Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are 5th, 16 points behind first place, and looking to bounce back from two losses in their last three league games. Meanwhile, Chelsea are fourth and unbeaten in five games. The game is most likely the last Arsenal-Chelsea rivalry match for Petr Čech, the veteran keeper who has played for both sides. Arsenal versus Chelsea is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Premier League calendar so expect an exciting match tonight. The rivalry between Arsenal and Chelsea dates back to 1907 and has featured nearly 200 matches. Today’s match sees Arsenal enter in 5th, a position they have held since early December. They are 16 points behind league leaders Liverpool and have won 2 of their last 5 matches in the league. Arsenal’s top scorer is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose 14 goals this season are double that of Arsenal’s next highest scorer and more than last place Huddersfield have scored as a team. They come into today’s match following a 1-0 loss to West Ham United. The first career league goal for Declan Rice gave Arsenal their second defeat in three league games.
Meanwhile, Chelsea find themselves in 4th and riding a five-game unbeaten streak. They have won 6 of their last 10 league matches, losing 3 and drawing 1. While they have most likely fallen out of contention for the title, they will look to improve upon their 5th place finish from last season. Arsenal have won only one of their last fourteen league games against Chelsea, with the first derby between the two sides this season ending in a 3-2 victory for Chelsea. The rivalry match will most likely be the last of its kind for goalkeeper Petr Čech. The veteran of fifteen Premier League campaigns announced his retirement at the end of the season earlier this week. Čech made 333 appearances for Chelsea after joining them in 2004 before transferring to Arsenal in 2015. Čech is the Premier League’s record holder for career clean sheets, with 202. Čech, who has ceded the starting goalkeeper spot to new acquisition Bernd Leno this season, last kept a clean sheet in late September. It would be a fitting footnote in the story of his final season to triumph over the team that made him a household name. These two sides are locked in a fight to improve on their performance from last season so expect a match to remember this evening.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the European Rugby Champions Cup, where Munster host the Exeter Chiefs at Thomond Park. Munster currently leads pool 2 with a four point lead. Exeter are second and a win today would lead the pool to be decided on tie-break conditions if no bonus points are awarded. A close loss would allow Munster to win the pool with a losing bonus point while a blowout win for Exeter would clinch the group for them with a winning bonus point. It’s all to play for so be sure you don’t miss this exciting match. Elsewhere, in the NBA, the Orlando Magic host the Milwaukee Bucks at the Amway Center. The Melbourne Renegades and the Melbourne Stars clash in a rivalry match in the Big Bash League. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship continues at the Abu Dhabi Golf Course. In the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the T-Mobile Arena. The Australian Open continues at Melbourne Park.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Chelsea FC; Premier League