Arsenal’s title defence meets an early London test on matchday three as Chelsea arrive at the Emirates Stadium, with both sides carrying the chance to move to the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal v Chelsea: Arteta and Xabi Alonso set for Emirates meeting
SEO title: Arsenal v Chelsea preview: Arteta faces Xabi Alonso at the Emirates
SEO description: Arsenal host Chelsea in a third-round Premier League London derby, with Mikel Arteta’s champions facing Xabi Alonso’s free-scoring new side.
The champions have opened with the sort of control that has become familiar under Mikel Arteta: four goals scored, none conceded. Chelsea, beginning a new era under Xabi Alonso, have taken a rather noisier route into the fixture.
Quick facts
- Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in the third Premier League round.
- Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30.
- Arsenal have scored four times without conceding so far.
- Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2 and Brighton 4-3 in their opening two matches.
- Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal since August 2021.
Alonso’s Chelsea won 3-2 against Álvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham before edging Brighton 4-3 at Stamford Bridge. Seven scored and five allowed tells the tale: plenty of attacking thrust, and rather more work for the defenders than any manager would order.
Arsenal’s recent record in this derby gives them another measure of confidence. Chelsea have gone without a victory over the Gunners since August 2021, while Arteta’s side enter the campaign as reigning English champions.
There is interest beyond the points in the technical areas. Arteta and Alonso are both from Gipuzkoa and came through Real Sociedad’s footballing background, but they now represent two of England’s biggest jobs.
Arteta has already taken his Arsenal project to the title. Alonso’s task at Chelsea is to build another side capable of doing the same, and the Emirates offers an early indication of how far that work has travelled.
