Hello and how are you?

Sunday the 6th of September, we host west London neighbours Chelsea at the Emirates. KO local time is 4.30pm. Weather will be humid; 26° ( feels like 28°) sunny but with some cloud and 0% chance of rain.

To say it, I’m sure is insulting to other teams, but this feels instinctively like this match is our first real challenge this season?

Chelsea look determined and have enhanced their squad that looks as if it turned two green eyes upon our celebrations at the end of last season and said: “we want that too!” and at this strange early stage of the season they look potentially likely? But who knows? The darkness of autumn and winter are fast approaching plus a massive influx of games…and what seems clear now in the last of summer will later fade in the fogs of football life, especially when the clocks go back.

This may well be a test of depth for us squad-wise as Timber! and Saliba are crocked and Bruno G, Dec, and Mosquera are all at this minute on the maybe-knackerd list.

For Chelsea, Henderson and Palestra are out and Caicedo is doubtful. But come KO time, who knows who might be suddenly resurrected from the Krank-crypt and be able to play?  

Trouble is if we lose this one, it could get over analysed and “we’re all doomed ” will be echoing out from the bot farms to the glee of some until our next match nabs our critical thinking?

If we win, could it instil a dumb sense of hubris? Sure and steadfast plus fire and skill, may well be the best formula in such a clash, where it’s obviously Chelsea are looking to overtake us and make for the top…

Anyway, should be an exciting match and it will be interesting to see how certain players like Konsa fit in?

I contacted Statto HQ, and they calculated on their fingers these figures: Arsenal have a 56% chance of winning and Chelsea have a 19.4% chance of grabbing the headlines.

Next up we are off to Italy and to the city where pizza was invented, Napoli, for the first of our Champions League matches this season. May your force be with you. COYG!

Mills