Hasselbaink insisted that Chelsea will be a much tougher opponent than Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Netherlands striker Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink has predicted that Chelsea will secure a positive result against Premier League leaders Arsenal when the two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners could begin the highly anticipated encounter only two points clear at the top of the table if Manchester City beat Leeds in Saturday’s late kick-off at Elland Road.
In their last outing, the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw and currently find themselves fighting to clinch a Champions League spot.
Chelsea also risk dropping into sixth position before the London derby if Liverpool beat West Ham at Anfield.
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Arsenal have faced Chelsea three times in all competitions this season and remain unbeaten, including victories in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.
Despite these unfavourable statistics, Hasselbaink believes his former team will deprive Mikel Arteta’s men of three crucial points.
According to him, Chelsea will be a much tougher opponent than Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking to the Metro, Hasselbaink said: “Chelsea are a strange kind of team; they will go to a big team and get a result, get a draw or get a win. They can do that. That’s just how they are. We have seen it.
“I think that game for Arsenal will be so much harder than the Spurs game.”
