REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
Arsenal and Chelsea will put their perfect Premier League starts on the line when they meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The champions have begun their title defence with two wins and two clean sheets. Arsenal swept promoted Coventry City aside 3-0 before Bukayo Saka earned a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.
REUTERS/David Klein
Mikel Arteta’s side have allowed only one shot on target across those games. That control could be vital against an attacking Chelsea side under Xabi Alonso.
The Blues have also collected six points, but their matches have been packed with goals and drama. They beat Fulham 3-2 before holding off Brighton in a wild 4-3 win at Stamford Bridge.
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|Arsenal vs Chelsea - Premier League head to head since 2021|
|Season|First meeting|Second meeting|Arsenal record|GF|GA|Points|
|---|
|2021/22|Arsenal 0–2 Chelsea|Chelsea 2–4 Arsenal|W1 D0 L1|4|4|3|
|2022/23|Chelsea 0–1 Arsenal|Arsenal 3–1 Chelsea|W2 D0 L0|4|1|6|
|2023/24|Chelsea 2–2 Arsenal|Arsenal 5–0 Chelsea|W1 D1 L0|7|2|4|
|2024/25|Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal|Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea|W1 D1 L0|2|1|4|
|2025/26|Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal|Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea|W1 D1 L0|3|2|4|
|Total|—|—|W6 D3 L1|20|10|21|
Chelsea have scored seven times through six different players. Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and £117 million signing Morgan Rogers have contributed, giving Arsenal several threats to contain.
Chelsea beat Arsenal to the signing of Rogers over the summer, so it will be very interesting to see the reception he gets in north London.
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
That said, the Blues have conceded five and are still searching for their first league clean sheet under Alonso.
They have scored inside four minutes in both matches, so Arsenal cannot afford another slow opening.
Recent history favours the home side. Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 meetings with Chelsea and have won five consecutive home games against their London rivals.
They came out on top 2-1 at the Emirates in March, when goals from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber helped Arteta’s men continue their charge towards the title.
Saka-Saliba-Timber-Arsenal
Both defenders have had fitness problems. Saliba remains unavailable because of a back injury, while Timber has returned to training and could be involved.
Cristhian Mosquera is also a doubt, potentially opening the door for Ezri Konsa to make his first Arsenal start.
Chelsea are waiting on Moisés Caicedo after the midfielder was forced off against Brighton. Alonso plans to make a late decision on his availability.
There will also be plenty of attention on the highly experienced Emiliano Martínez as he returns to the club where his English career began.
Mikel Arteta raves over 'really smart' Chelsea move to sign Martinez
REUTERS/Vincent Carchietta
Chelsea signed the Argentina international from Aston Villa for £7.5million before the deadline, handing him a three-year contract. He immediately replaced Robert Sanchez and made his debut in the victory over Brighton.
Martinez spent around a decade at Arsenal but had to wait patiently for regular opportunities.
His finest spell arrived during the closing weeks of the 19/20 season, when he helped Arteta’s team win the FA Cup following Bernd Leno’s injury.
He joined Villa that summer and went on to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most recognisable goalkeepers, while also winning the World Cup with Argentina.
Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez celebrates after Donyell Malen scores their first goal
Arteta was asked whether Chelsea’s move for his former player had surprised him, insisting that Alonso's side have made a 'really smart' move bringing him in.
That approval will not reduce Arsenal’s desire to spoil Martinez’s return.
The Chelsea goalkeeper must now try to stop his former club from extending their perfect start and tightening their early grip on the title race.