Date: Sunday 6th September 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Kick-off: 16:30 BST
Chelsea supporters aren’t exactly short of entertainment at the moment. The problem is that half of it is happening at the wrong end of the pitch.
Chelsea have seen 12 goals in their opening two games, with only slightly fewer coming from the opposition, as we appear to be sailing fairly close to the wind. As full of confidence as we are in attack, that same confidence is conspicuous in its absence defensively. Not even the presence of Emi Martínez could settle things against Brighton, as we appeared to be trying our hardest to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Our inability to finish teams off is a hangover from Rosenior and Maresca we’ve yet to shake off under Xabi Alonso.
Unfortunately, the fixture computer has decided this would be the perfect time to send us across London to face Arsenal. The Gunners have avoided defeat in each of their last 16 Premier League London derbies, and we haven’t beaten them for five years, so I’d expect Alonso to hit his first proper bump in the road on his Chelsea journey this afternoon.
The good news? We can score against anyone. The bad news? Anyone can score against us.
Possible Match Timeline
1′ Chelsea immediately announce their attacking intent by committing six players forward.
3′ Arsenal immediately announce they’ve noticed.
12′ Chelsea score a brilliant team goal. Pundits describe it as “Alonso-ball in full flow.”
15′ Chelsea concede a goal that makes every defensive coach in Europe physically wince.
28′ Cole Palmer does something outrageous.
29′ Arsenal attack before the replay has finished.
41′ Emi Martínez makes a save so ridiculous that even Arsenal fans applaud.
44′ Chelsea defenders respond by giving Arsenal another chance out of sympathy.
Half-time verdict:
“An outstanding attacking display from Chelsea, undermined only by the unfortunate requirement to also defend.”
52′ Arsenal take the lead.
60′ Chelsea equalise.
68′ Chelsea miss three chances to put the game to bed.
69′ Every Chelsea fan suddenly has flashbacks to Rosenior and Maresca.
78′ Arsenal score from Chelsea’s latest experiment in creative defending.
85′ Chelsea launch a furious comeback.
89′ Arsenal supporters nervously check the clock.
90+3′ Chelsea create one final glorious chance.
90+4′ It somehow doesn’t go in.
Full-time: A thrilling advert for the Premier League, a deeply concerning advert for defending, and another reminder that Chelsea matches currently come with all the structure and predictability of a supermarket trolley with one broken wheel.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, says “I love my players. That’s what I can say. I think at the end of the season we’ll put everybody in their place and let’s trust them. Let’s make sure that we are right behind them and we do everything we can to help the incredible talent that they have.”
On Chelsea and Alonso, he says “Obviously you see the magnitude and the stature of that football club, the history that they have, the squad that they have, the squad that they built against this summer and the quality that Xabi has as a manager and the clear ideas that he’s going to install on that on that team to make them successful. I spoke to him before [he joined Chelsea]. But yes, really happy for him, as I said. It’s incredible because obviously we have the history that we have together, the same with Andoni [Iraola] and to be facing each other in 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. Our relationship goes on for many, many years and we share some great moments together. That’s natural, but now it’s the competition and when you face each other you know what happens.”
Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, says “We can be very happy with the whole transfer window. What we starting talking about in May and early June – many things we have. It is a very balanced phase one we have made in this transfer window. Phase one is completed – it’s a good one for now and for the future. I think that we are prepared and happy with the squad and the depth we have. It’s a good balance of players from different stages. We need to build that energy during the week to perform at the weekends. So far, it has been a good start and now we know who is in the building. It’s good to have that certainty.”
On Arsenal, he says “We have a lot of respect for Arsenal. They are the current Premier League champions, and that tells you everything about the level of this team. But respect doesn’t mean fear. We are not going to be passive on Sunday or sit deep and wait for Arsenal to dictate the game. We have the attack. We have the players. We have the quality to hurt them, and we have to believe in that. When you play against a team like Arsenal, you have to be brave. There will be moments when they put you under pressure, but there will also be moments when we have the ball, and that’s when we have to be aggressive. We want to play our football. We want to create chances. We want to make them uncomfortable. If we go into the game thinking only about what Arsenal can do, then we are already giving them an advantage. They are champions, yes. We respect that. But Sunday is a new game, and we believe we have everything necessary to compete with them. We know the quality Arsenal have. They also know the quality we have. On Sunday, we will see who can impose their game.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Arsenal, William Saliba (back) is out, but Jurrien Timber (groin) may be available.
For Chelsea, Jordan Henderson (wrist) and Marco Palestra (unspecified) are injured, whilst Moises Caicedo is a doubt.
TEAMS
ARSENAL (Possible line-up): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Martinez; Lacroix, Colwill, Fofana; James, Gusto, Lavia, Hato; Rogers, Palmer; Pedro
LAST SEASON
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (1 March 2026)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
ARSENAL: WW
CHELSEA: WW
OTHER STUFF
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games against ChelseaChelsea have lost their last four away games to Arsenal in the Premier LeagueArsenal have only lost 1 of their last 29 London derbies in the Premier LeagueArsenal have only won their first three games of a Premier League season once in the last 21 years
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea