Despite beginning the season on the front-foot, the Rajasthan Royals performances dwindled soon enough. Embarking on a five-game losing streak, RR suddenly emerged as favorites to finish at the bottom of the standings. However, they seem rejuvenated in recent games, defeating fellow strugglers SRH before narrowly losing out to table-toppers Delhi Capitals on the last matchday. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler were in magnificent form on the day, causing DC all sorts of troubles. Steve Smith will be counting on these two to come up with the goods, once again, in this upcoming contest. When it comes to bowling, Jofra Archer has been the stand-out performer for RR, showing consistency in all his games, but has suffered from a lack of support from fellow bowlers.
On the other hand, Arsenal had a great start. In seven official meetings, in which the Gunners took part, they lost only once. Three times during this time, Mikel Arteta’s team played with Liverpool, just losing to the Reds at Anfield in the championship (1:3). In other meetings, Arsenal lost peace with the Lersisides, after which they won on penalties. The remaining four matches Arteta’s wards won in regulation time. Arsenal beat West Ham (2-1), Sheffield United (2-1) and beat Fulham (3-0) in the league and beat (2-0) Leicester in the League Cup. Despite the success this season, the away form of Arsenal remains not the brightest. The Gunners have won 3 of 13 previous away matches in the Premier League. True, all of Arteta’s victories came at a time after the season resumed, so we can say that Arsenal’s away game has improved. In away games in this championship, the Gunners beat Fulham (3-0) and lost to Liverpool (1:3). The personnel situation at Arsenal remains open to question. Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Martinelli are in the infirmary at the club. Lucas Torreira and Matteo Genduzi left the team. It is unknown if Kieran Tierney, Pablo Marie, Riss Nelson and Emil Smith Rowe will be able to play.
