Are Chelsea really Arsenal’s biggest threat? Unpacking Gary Neville’s title claim | OneFootball

Just one week into the Premier League season, the expectations surrounding Chelsea are ranging from another finish outside the top four to potential title aspirations. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, especially after a 3-2 win against Fulham.

Goals from João Pedro and Morgan Rogers in the first half came either side of a Josh King equaliser, before Cole Palmer provided a two-goal cushion. The Blues were still made to work for a victory, though, as Gonzalo García pulled one back, and they looked defensively frail at points in the game.

The performance followed Gary Neville’s comments over the weekend, where he laid down a marker for the West Londoners and stated that they could ultimately prove to be Arsenal’s closest challengers. The former Manchester United right-back has touted Chelsea for a second-place finish in 2026/27, but that’s not a universally held view.

Where bookmakers expect Chelsea to finish

After a disappointing campaign which saw three different managers take control in the Stamford Bridge dugout, expectations for Chelsea were tempered at the start of the season. Manchester City and Liverpool were both considered to be more prepared to challenge Arsenal’s status as champions, while Manchester United were also thought to be nearing contender status following an impressive few months under Michael Carrick.

Indeed, many bookmakers still believe City and Liverpool to be Arsenal’s most likely challengers, pricing the duo at 3/1 and 9/1 to win the title. But Alonso’s team are in the mix too, boasting similar odds to Andoni Iraola’s side, while the Blues are 4/9 to finish in the top four.

While the odds don’t exactly indicate Neville is correct to assume Chelsea will be the biggest threat to their North London rivals, they should still boost the confidence of returning to the Champions League in 2027/28. With Goal.com compiling a list of the best UK free bets available, there’s every chance Chelsea will be widely backed to do just that.

One game a week is a significant boost for Chelsea

The factor that plays into Chelsea’s hands more than their rivals’, though, is that their schedule is much less congested. Simply needing to navigate domestic league and cup competitions, rather than midweek fixtures in continental competitions, means the players will be fitter, and Alonso will have more time to work on the training ground.

Although fans might not see it early on, European football will become more frequent in the coming months, and that will require Arsenal, City, Liverpool, United and Aston Villa to rotate for league matches. Of course, Chelsea would rather be playing on the continental stage instead of watching from the sidelines, but United fans saw first-hand what a minimal schedule did for the team in the Premier League last season. Neville is right to assume that a similar pattern for the capital club will be just as beneficial domestically.

Defensive improvements vital

The immediate problem facing Chelsea is the sheer size of the squad, which will need to be trimmed before the transfer window closes on 1st September. However, on the pitch, the biggest takeaway from the Fulham match was the two extremes fans witnessed at either end.

While Palmer, Rogers, and Pedro were all excellent in attack, the backline was exposed at points, with Robert Sanchez and Levi Colwill making mistakes for both goals. That will cost Chelsea three points if it persists, whether or not they’re playing less frequently than their top-four rivals.