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Arsenal and Chelsea Set for Early Premier League Showdown

Arsenal and Chelsea will put their perfect starts to the Premier League season on the line when they meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Both London clubs have collected maximum points from their opening two matches, setting up an early-season clash between two sides looking to establish themselves among the league's leading contenders.

September 6, 2026

6 September 2026

Arsenal and Chelsea will put their perfect starts to the Premier League season on the line when they meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Both London clubs have collected maximum points from their opening two matches, setting up an early-season clash between two sides looking to establish themselves among the league's leading contenders.

The fixture will also bring Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta face-to-face with his longtime friend and Chelsea counterpart Xabi Alonso for the first time in a Premier League match.

Arteta and Alonso, both 44, grew up together in Spain's Basque Country and have remained close friends throughout their playing and managerial careers. Their first meeting as opposing managers came in a 2024 friendly, when Alonso was in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.

Arteta said he was delighted to see his former colleague now managing one of England's biggest clubs.

"It's incredible because obviously we have the history we have together," Arteta said.

"To be facing each other at such a level and with the responsibility we have managing some of the top clubs in the country is a really beautiful thing to experience."

Arteta confident in Arsenal's attack

Chelsea have made an impressive attacking start to the campaign, with Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer among those making an early impact in front of goal.

Arteta believes the speed with which Chelsea have scored in their opening matches could prove important, particularly because early goals can dramatically change the momentum of a game.

"They scored very, very early and that changes the momentum and the shift of the game," Arteta said.

The Arsenal manager also praised Alonso's ability to adapt his team tactically, saying Chelsea could approach the match in several different ways.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will rely on players including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres as they attempt to maintain their perfect start.

Despite the departures of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli during the summer, Arteta rejected suggestions that Arsenal's attacking options are weaker than they were last season.

He pointed instead to the number of minutes played by those who featured last season and the impact of injuries during the opening half of the campaign.

"The data shows something completely different," Arteta said.

The Gunners made only one significant addition to their forward line, bringing in Greece winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, despite being linked with several high-profile attacking targets during the transfer window.

Arteta said he was satisfied with the squad he has available and had no interest in dwelling on players Arsenal failed to sign.

"The window is closed and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in this squad," he said.

Alonso ready to move on from Fernandez departure

Chelsea manager Alonso has urged the club to focus on the future following Enzo Fernandez's high-profile departure for Manchester City.

The Argentina international completed a £125 million ($169m) move to City shortly before the transfer window closed, in a deal that equalled the British transfer record.

Chelsea attempted to bring in Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as a replacement, but the proposed transfer collapsed after the French club failed to complete the necessary deal sheet before the deadline.

Alonso declined to dwell on either development, insisting Chelsea must concentrate on building a strong squad and maintaining a positive atmosphere.

"With Enzo, we have had conversations, but always with respect as well," Alonso said.

"What he has done for the club, it has been great, and we are thankful, but now it is time to move forward."

The Chelsea manager said the club had been prepared for the possibility of changes during the transfer window and remained satisfied with the squad that emerged from the process.

He also stressed the importance of developing competition between players in every position.

Chelsea have undergone significant changes during the summer, but Alonso believes the squad now has a good balance of experience and emerging talent.

"We need to build that energy during the week to perform well at the weekends," he said.

Alonso will also make a late assessment of midfielder Moises Caicedo, who suffered a knock during Chelsea's recent match against Brighton.

Prediction

Arsenal enter the match as favourites, according to the Opta supercomputer.

The model gives the Premier League champions a 56 percent chance of victory, while Chelsea are rated at 21 percent to take all three points.

With both teams unbeaten and having won their opening two matches, the contest is expected to provide an early indication of their credentials for the season ahead.