Arsenal could face a very different Chelsea midfield on Sunday after the Blues sold Enzo Fernández to Manchester City for £125million and then failed to land their preferred replacement before the transfer window closed.
Chelsea allowed Fernández to join City in a British-record-equalling deal despite their proposed £47m move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara collapsing late on deadline day. They also made an unsuccessful approach for Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi.
That leaves Mikel Arteta with an obvious area to target when the two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 1, 2026
Chelsea lose Enzo Fernández before Arsenal clash
Fernández had become central to Chelsea’s midfield structure.
The Argentina international contributed 15 goals and seven assists last season, before Manchester City completed his £125m transfer and handed him a five-year contract.
Chelsea could have stopped the deal after their attempt to replace him collapsed.
Instead, Sky Sports reports the club chose to honour their agreement with City even after Monaco withdrew from the Camara transfer.
That decision becomes particularly intriguing because Chelsea’s first Premier League match without Fernández is against Arsenal on Sunday.
Supporters can find all the broadcast details in our where to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea guide.
Arsenal stopped Chelsea signing Zubimendi
Chelsea did try another route.
The Blues made a late approach for Zubimendi as they searched for a midfielder capable of replacing Fernández, but Arsenal rejected the move.
Read Arsenal has covered how Arsenal knocked back Chelsea’s deadline-day approach for Zubimendi, reinforcing Arteta’s determination to keep the Spain international despite increased competition in midfield.
That leaves an unusual situation heading into Sunday’s derby.
Chelsea sold one of their leading midfielders.
They then tried to sign one of Arsenal’s.
Arsenal said no.
And the two teams now meet only days later.
Arsenal suddenly have a major midfield advantage
Arsenal’s own options could hardly look more different.
Arteta can choose from:
Declan Rice
Bruno Guimarães
Martin Zubimendi
Martin Ødegaard
Eberechi Eze
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Mikel Merino
That depth is one of the clearest benefits of Arsenal’s summer business.
Guimarães did not even start Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Aston Villa, while Eze came from the bench and helped create Bukayo Saka’s winner.
Our Arsenal First Team hub will track the selection battle throughout the season, while the permanent Arsenal tactics guide explains how Arteta can switch between a single pivot and double-pivot midfield.
Against Chelsea, those options could be particularly valuable.
Arteta can test Chelsea’s new structure
The biggest question for Xabi Alonso is not simply who replaces Fernández on the teamsheet.
It is how Chelsea replace what he did.
Moisés Caicedo remains an elite midfield presence, while Andrey Santos provides another strong option, but losing Fernández changes Chelsea’s balance in possession.
Arsenal should want to test that immediately.
Arteta’s side have several possible ways to do it.
Rice and Guimarães can increase the physical pressure centrally.
Zubimendi can help Arsenal control possession and dictate tempo.
Ødegaard and Eze can operate around Chelsea’s midfield line and force Caicedo to decide whether to step forward or protect the defence.
Arsenal’s pressing could be equally important.
A midfield still adjusting to a major departure is exactly the type of unit Arsenal should try to force into uncomfortable decisions close to its own goal.
Chelsea’s Camara collapse makes timing worse
Chelsea believed they had solved the problem.
Sky Sports reports they reached a £47m agreement with Monaco for Lamine Camara, with a six-year contract lined up before Monaco unexpectedly withdrew after the English deadline had passed.
Chelsea were reportedly furious.
But the consequence for Arsenal matters more than the deadline-day drama.
There is no new £47m midfielder arriving at Cobham this week to prepare for Sunday.
There is no Zubimendi either.
Fernández is already a Manchester City player.
Chelsea therefore have only a few training sessions to establish their new midfield hierarchy before facing the reigning champions away from home.
Arsenal cannot waste the opportunity
None of this makes Sunday straightforward.
Chelsea have won their opening two Premier League matches and still possess enormous individual quality.
Caicedo in particular remains capable of controlling games at the highest level.
But margins decide matches between title contenders.
Arsenal have spent heavily building precisely the kind of midfield depth that should allow them to exploit an opponent dealing with late disruption.
Sunday provides the first major opportunity to prove its value.
Chelsea have just removed a £125m midfielder from their side and failed to replace him. Arsenal should make sure they feel that decision immediately.
Arsenal’s £198.5m summer is brilliant but Arteta has taken one big risk
Arsenal’s £198.5m summer is brilliant but Arteta has taken one big risk
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze just gave Arteta a huge Chelsea decision
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze just gave Arteta a huge Chelsea decision