Chelsea face the Premier League’s most controlled defence at the Emirates on Sunday, but Cole Palmer gives Xabi Alonso a player capable of turning one small opening into something decisive.
Arsenal have started their title defence with consecutive wins and clean sheets, allowing just one shot on target across their opening two Premier League matches. Chelsea, meanwhile, have scored a league-high seven goals despite operating with only 38 per cent possession against Fulham and 26 per cent against Brighton.
That contrast points towards the type of game Alonso may want.
Chelsea do not necessarily need to dominate Arsenal. They need Palmer to make the moments when Arsenal lose control count.
Cole Palmer has scored 49 Premier League goals in 98 appearances for Chelsea.
His next goal will make him the third-fastest player to reach 50 for the club, behind only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Diego Costa. ⚡️#ARSCHE https://t.co/1k6W2gsHiX pic.twitter.com/kBfkYEcJUG
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 4, 2026
Palmer can attack the spaces Arsenal rarely surrender
Mikel Arteta has increasingly built Arsenal around control.
Their defensive structure is designed to restrict central progression and prevent opponents finding clean possession close to the penalty area. Arsenal have also won their last four Premier League matches at the Emirates without conceding.
Trying to patiently pass through that structure for 90 minutes may not suit Chelsea.
Palmer provides another solution.
He rarely needs to remain fixed as a conventional No.10. He can drift towards the right half-space, drop away from Arsenal’s midfield or move closer to João Pedro before receiving on the turn.
Those small movements can create difficult decisions.
If an Arsenal midfielder follows him, space potentially opens elsewhere. If Palmer is allowed to receive and turn, Chelsea suddenly have one of their most dangerous players facing goal.
That becomes particularly threatening when Chelsea attack immediately after recovering possession.
The Guardian’s tactical analysis of Arsenal against Chelsea notes how Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers have already excelled when Chelsea break quickly rather than controlling possession for long periods.
Morgan Rogers can create the space Palmer needs
Palmer does not have to solve Arsenal alone.
The development of his partnership with Morgan Rogers could be Chelsea’s most important attacking weapon.
ReadChelsea has already examined how Arsenal may regret losing the £117m race for Rogers, and his early numbers underline the threat.
Rogers has created nine chances across Chelsea’s opening two league games, the most of any Premier League player this season and the most by a Chelsea player in his first two appearances since detailed records began.
His profile complements Palmer.
Rogers wants to carry the ball directly at defenders. Palmer is happier manipulating the space that movement creates.
The pair already know each other’s game from their Manchester City academy days, with Palmer recently backing Rogers to make a “big difference” at Chelsea.
Against Arsenal, Rogers dragging a midfielder or defender towards him could create exactly the pocket Palmer needs.
Chelsea may need Palmer more in transition than possession
The biggest misconception would be to assume Chelsea need Palmer to unlock a deep Arsenal defence through sustained pressure.
Arsenal are unlikely to offer much of that.
Chelsea’s opening weeks under Alonso suggest a more direct route.
The Blues had only 26 per cent possession against Brighton, their lowest recorded passing and possession figures in the Opta era, but still scored four goals.
Palmer scored the decisive fourth himself.
João Pedro controlled possession and released him, Palmer advanced around 20 yards and curled his finish beyond Bart Verbruggen.
That type of sequence may be far more relevant at the Emirates than a long spell of Chelsea possession.
Win the ball. Find Palmer quickly. Let Rogers and João Pedro attack the space around him.
It sounds straightforward, but execution against Arsenal is another matter entirely.
Palmer has another milestone within reach
There is also an individual incentive.
Palmer goes into Sunday on 49 goals from 98 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. Only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Diego Costa reached 50 league goals for the club in fewer than 100 appearances.
Scoring his 50th at the Emirates would be some way to reach it.
Arsenal have not allowed opponents much this season.
Chelsea may only get a handful of clear attacking moments on Sunday.
That is precisely why having Palmer matters.
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