Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Watch moment Lukaku scores in his second debut

Without a doubt, Chelsea is off to a good start this season, and are already doing it with a great start to keep it going this Sunday’s trip to Emirates. Lukaku’s goal came via James assist, a sumptuous goal to celebrate his debut.

Lukaku had rejoined Chelsea from Italian champions Inter Milan for £98 million ($133 million) and the Belgian striker made an immediate repayment on that huge investment in the London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

Importantly, Arsenal host Chelsea in their first Premier League home game of the season.

The Gunners go into the game off the back of an awful opening day in which they lost 2-0 to newly-promoted Brentford and were without several senior players.

The fact that plenty of tickets were still on general sale in the build-up to this London derby is probably indicative of the mood around the Emirates right now, although the arrival of new signings Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale in the week may well have helped to change this.

Mateo Kovacic line breaking pass in the build up to Lukaku’s goal #ARSCFC pic.twitter.com/4BcUERfDej

— MK8 (@KovacicXtra) August 22, 2021

However, considering Chelsea’s recent struggles against the Gunners (just 3 wins in the last 12 in all competitions), and given that it’s a derby, and given that the home side will have their backs to the wall, they cannot and must not take anything for granted.

?MATCHDAY?
⚽️GOAL SHOW⚽️

Romelu Lukaku’s first Chelsea goal!

Then shushes the Arsenal fans… ??#ChelseaExeterTV #CFC pic.twitter.com/Xh8d77dq9i

— Chelsea Exeter TV ?? (@ChelseaExeterTV) August 22, 2021

The first goal in this one is even more important than in most games, and since they already grabbed that early lead, have the crowd turn on their team — it’s their first home match with a full capacity crowd since before the pandemic — they should be able to make it six points from six to start the season, and keep up with Liverpool (whom they will be facing next) and (probably) Manchester United, and ahead of Manchester City.

So close to a second for Lukaku!

Leno makes a strong save and tips the striker's header away! ?

? 0-2 ?

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 22, 2021

Meanwhile, Arsenal began the season with an amusing 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Brentford, who were playing their first top-flight match since 1947. A historic day for them, which has plunged the Gunners into crisis mode yet again — that’s pretty easy to do these days, in fairness, as they’ve failed to finish in the top four for five seasons running, including back-to-back eight places.

But as mentioned at the top, they should not be underestimated. They’re young and talented — and have spent over £100m in the transfer market as well, including £50m on centre back Ben White! With the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, or Nicolas Pépé certainly capable of creating dangerous moments for any defence, they might get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back for this one well. He faces a late fitness test.

The physicality and hold-up play lukaku gave up front was the only thing Chelsea lacked to be a complete team in all its positions. And still on the bench you have Werner, Pulisic, Ziyech, Kante and Kepa, Chalobah, Chilwell and Silva. This team will run riots! ?

— Series Abíọ́dún ☻ (@Engr_Series) August 22, 2021

Unfortunately for under-pressure Mikel Arteta, plenty of others have been ruled out either through injury or COVID protocol, including Thomas Partey, Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Magalhães, and Chelsea’s old pal Willian. New signing Martin Odegaard has not been registered in time for this game.

New goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has, but Bernd Leno will probably still start. Other new arrivals include midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and full-back Nuno Tavares. Oh, and David Luiz has left (and is currently still a free agent).