Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has issued confident forecasts for both London clubs' upcoming Premier League fixtures, insisting they will swiftly recover from their weekend stalemate.
Arsenal Must Seize 'Easy' Run, Says Petit
Petit believes Mikel Arteta's league-leading Arsenal have a crucial opportunity to build a gap at the summit. The Gunners host Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, seeking to put Sunday's 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge behind them.
"Arsenal must win at the Emirates," Petit told Snabbare. "When I look at the schedule of the upcoming games until Christmas, they have so-called easy games. This is an opportunity over the next five games to increase the gap with the top teams."
Despite acknowledging Brentford's stubbornness – the Bees have drawn on two of their last three visits – Petit is unequivocal. "I don't see why Arsenal would drop points," he stated, predicting a comfortable 3-0 victory for the home side. Arsenal's task may be complicated by fitness concerns over key players like William Saliba, and they needed a late Kai Havertz winner to beat Brentford in the 2023/24 season.
Chelsea Tipped for Vital Victory at Elland Road
Turning to Chelsea, who face a tricky trip to Leeds United, Petit emphasised the importance of a win for Enzo Maresca's side. He warned that dropping points could see them fall dangerously far behind their rivals.
"Leeds vs Chelsea is never easy. Playing against Leeds at home is a battle, but come on, Chelsea have to win now," Petit asserted. "They have to show that they are fighting for the title, too."
Petit highlighted the potential return of Cole Palmer from injury as a decisive factor. "Cole Palmer will score. This is a typical game for him to score goals," he predicted. Chelsea will be without the suspended Moises Caicedo and are likely to manage captain Reece James's workload after his man-of-the-match display against Arsenal.
The Stakes for the Title Race
Petit framed these midweek matches as critical for the early-season title narrative. He pointed out that Chelsea cannot afford a significant deficit, even at this stage. "Can you imagine if they drop points? That would probably be an eight or nine-point gap," he said.
While noting the Premier League season is long, Petit stressed the momentum a successful week could bring. His double prediction sets the stage for a pivotal night of action, with both London giants under pressure to deliver and prove their championship credentials.
