Gary Cahill has made a bold prediction for the Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The clash in west London could have a huge impact on the title race with Arsenal heading into the game top of the table and Chelsea sat second.
The Gunners have only lost one of their 12 top-flight matches but former Chelsea defender Cahill is backing the Blues to pick up all three points.
Chelsea are six points behind Arsenal but Cahill feels the ‘massive’ 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona will give his old club ‘sky-high’ confidence for this weekend’s fixture.
‘I don’t think there is anything Chelsea will learn from facing Arsenal,’ Cahill, who played 290 games for the Blues from 2012 to 2019, told Sky Bet.
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‘They’ll be fully aware of how good they are and the strength in depth they have.
‘Arsenal have improved year on year, and they will certainly feel that this is their strongest change to win the Premier League.
‘But Chelsea seem to turn up against the big teams, so I’m really looking forward to the game this weekend.
‘It will be a big marker from Chelsea if they were to get a result and these are the games that you can’t lose if you want to go on and win a title.
‘If Chelsea get three points, it’s a six-point game – these are the big pressure games and the games that you want to be in.
‘If they stay in and around Arsenal [in the table], they’re within a shout [to challenge for the title].
‘I think Chelsea will win 2-1 against Arsenal this weekend. I’ve got to back the boys, and they turn up against the big teams.
‘I think they’ll relish this opportunity and they’re coming off a massive win against Barcelona so confidence will be sky-high.’
Meanwhile, Cahill has warned Arsenal that Manchester City are not out of the Premier League title race just yet.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who face Leeds United this weekend, are currently sat in third place, seven points behind the north London club.
‘Manchester City can [still] challenge Arsenal for the title – they’ve been there and done it and know exactly what it’s all about,’ Cahill added.
‘They’ll always be in and around the top. Chelsea are also going about their business nice and quietly but at the moment.
‘Arsenal are doing everything they need to do and if they continue until the end of the season, they’ll win the league.’