We’re only two games into the new season, but it’s very much as you were for both of these teams so far. Arsenal looked like they were going to be more exciting after their 3-0 win on opening day, but followed it up with a typically robotic performance against Villa.
It’s not how you win that matters though, and journalists seem determined to hammer Arteta no matter what happens in Arsenal’s matches.
Chelsea score lots but concede lots. Again, very similar to last season. They’ve scored 7 but conceded 5 in their first two matches. What is potentially more concerning, though, is that their possession has been just 38% and 26%. Not the sort of possession stats you want to be taking into a game against Arsenal, especially at the Emirates.
I really like the new lad Christos Tzolis for Arsenal. He got two assists in the Community Shield and impressed again on opening day, with his cross creating Saka’s goal. He was quieter in the Gunners’ second match against Villa, but Matty Cash was up for the battle and did a bit of a job on him. Tzolis was substituted at half-time.
Chelsea will play much more openly and should give him more space. Tzolis got 23 assists for Club Brugge and another 5 in the Champions League last season. I’m backing him as my Best Value Bet at 3/1 with Bet365 to get an assist in this one.
My Fun Longshot Wager is a bit more speculative, but at 14/1, again with Bet365, I think Tzolis to have 3 or more shots on target is worth a punt. He had 2 shots on target from 4 attempts on the opening day and averaged 3.6 shots per game last season.
I recognise that was in the Belgian league, and asking for three shots on target is a big ask, but it shows his attacking mindset. Against a very open Chelsea side who haven’t had a lot of possession so far, it’s definitely not beyond the realms of possibility.
At 14/1, that’s very tasty in my opinion.
There is a bit of a substitution risk with Tzolis, but Bet365’s Sub On Play On offer applies to both bets. If Tzolis starts and is then substituted, the player replacing him takes over the bet, which gives us a bit of extra insurance.
He came off for Eze against Villa and, as we know, Eze is more than capable of getting involved himself.
If Tzolis doesn’t start the match, the bets will be void and your stake returned.
This could be a proper steal if I land these two.
Woop-woop, it’s the sound of the Tzolis.
BVB -> Tzolis to have 1 or more assists at 3/1 with Bet365 (Sub On Play On)
FLW -> Tzolis to have 3 or more shots on target at 14/1 with Bet365 (Sub On Play On)
Odds correct at time of publication.
