Something has to give when Arsenal host Chelsea in a highly anticipated Premier League clash this weekend, with both sides putting their perfect starts to the season on the line.
Defending champions Arsenal and Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea are among four teams to have won their opening two league matches, alongside Manchester City and newly promoted Hull City.
While Arsenal and Chelsea prepare for a heavyweight encounter at the Emirates, Tottenham Hotspur will be desperate to end their poor start when they travel to face Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are still searching for their first league victory under new manager Andoni Iraola.
Here are three key talking points ahead of the weekend’s action:
Arsenal Steel vs Chelsea Flair
Arsenal have begun their Premier League title defence in much the same way they ended last season — with a formidable defence.
The Gunners followed their 3-0 opening-day victory over Coventry with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Aston Villa last weekend, recording their sixth clean sheet in seven league matches.
Another major positive for manager Mikel Arteta has been the form of Bukayo Saka. The England winger has already scored twice after enduring an injury-hit 2025/26 campaign.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have made an impressive start to the Xabi Alonso era, winning all three of their matches in all competitions.
The Blues have looked particularly dangerous going forward, with new attacking trio Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers accounting for five of their seven league goals in victories over Fulham and Brighton.
However, Alonso will be concerned by his side’s defensive vulnerability after Chelsea conceded five goals across those two matches.
The former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager will know his defence must improve if Chelsea are to take anything from the Emirates.
Recent history also favours Arsenal, with Chelsea winless in their last nine Premier League meetings with the Gunners ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
