Chris Sutton predicts Declan Rice is going to do something for the first time ever during Arsenal vs Chelsea

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Arsenal take on Chelsea in the Premier League in their final game before the international break.

The Gunners have drawn back-to-back games since their 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League clash.

They were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United and then to a 2-2 draw by PSV in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Mikel Arteta will want to see his side return to winning ways against Chelsea this weekend, and Chris Sutton has made an interesting prediction about the game.

Chris Sutton predicts Arsenal vs Chelsea result

Arsenal have had a stunning record against the traditional top-six in recent times.

In their last 19 games against their usual big rivals, Arsenal have won 11, drawn eight and lost none. That is a phenomenal record, one Arteta will be hoping to continue this Sunday.

Chelsea have improved under Enzo Maresca, but they have had a tough time recently. They have won just two of their last eight Premier League games, which is a really poor return.

That’s why Arsenal will go into the game as favourites against the Blues on Sunday, and Sutton has backed the Gunners to win the derby.

The pundit also thinks Declan Rice will score the winner. If he does, it would be the first time in his entire career where he would’ve scored in three consecutive games.

The Englishman scored a lovely equaliser against Manchester United last weekend and netted Arsenal’s second goal against PSV on Wednesday night.

Sutton wrote on BBC Sport: “There won’t be many goals in this game – one goal might be enough to win it, and I am going with Arsenal to get it.

“Declan Rice was very lively in his new attacking role against Manchester United and I can see him scoring again here.”

Declan Rice’s stats at Arsenal in 2023/24 vs 2024/25 compared

A lot of people questioned Rice’s output when the Gunners smashed their transfer record to sign him from West Ham United in 2023.

The Englishman came under some criticism as well from certain pundits who thought he didn’t have what it takes to contribute in the final third.

Rice silenced many of those critics last season by directly contributing to 17 goals, and he now has a chance to overtake that tally this term.

Rice needs two goals and two assists in the remainder of this season to equal his tally from last campaign.

That is very achievable as the Gunners will definitely play 12 more games in all competitions – that number will go up if they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The target for Rice should be to directly contribute to over 20 goals before the season ends.