Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned his players that stopping Chelsea’s dangerous attack will require a complete team effort when the two London rivals meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Both clubs have made perfect starts to the new Premier League season, winning their opening two matches, setting the stage for an early but important test between two sides with ambitions of competing near the top of the table.
For Arteta, however, the key to getting a positive result will not simply be asking his defenders to deal with Chelsea’s forwards. The Arsenal boss believes every player must contribute when his side is without possession.
Arteta made the point during his pre-match press conference on Friday, stressing that dealing with Chelsea’s attacking players is a collective responsibility rather than something that can be left solely to the backline.
Chelsea have certainly given Arsenal plenty to think about in the opening weeks of the campaign. Xabi Alonso’s team have scored seven goals in their first two league matches, although they have also conceded five, highlighting both the attacking quality and defensive uncertainty that have characterised their start.
The trio of João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have been particularly influential, contributing five of Chelsea’s seven league goals so far. Their pace, movement and ability to create chances from different areas of the pitch could pose a major challenge for Arsenal.
Arteta therefore knows that Arsenal cannot afford to defend passively or allow Chelsea’s attacking players too much freedom.
The Gunners have built their early-season success around defensive discipline. They opened the campaign with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City before recording a 1-0 win away to Aston Villa. The two results extended Arsenal’s impressive defensive record, with the club keeping six clean sheets in its last seven league matches.
Bukayo Saka has also made a strong start after an injury-disrupted 2025/26 season. The England winger has scored in each of Arsenal’s opening two league matches and will once again be expected to provide an attacking outlet against Chelsea.
While Arsenal have looked defensively solid, Chelsea have offered a very different proposition. Alonso’s side have been much more open, producing entertaining games but also leaving themselves vulnerable at the back.
That contrast could make Sunday’s encounter particularly intriguing. Arsenal will hope their organisation can frustrate Chelsea’s attacking quality, while the visitors will look to use their pace and creativity to disrupt the champions.
Arteta also addressed concerns about Arsenal’s transfer activity following the closure of the summer window. The Gunners were unable to add another major attacking option despite losing Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard from their previous attacking group.
Rather than dwelling on the players Arsenal failed to sign, Arteta insisted that his attention is now firmly on the squad available to him.
The manager believes Arsenal have enough quality to compete and has backed the players already at the club to deliver throughout the campaign.
The fitness of several players remains another talking point before the match. Arteta confirmed that Bruno Guimarães is still being assessed after picking up a knock against Aston Villa, while there are also questions surrounding Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber. William Saliba remains unavailable, although he has been included in Arsenal’s Champions League squad.
Arteta, meanwhile, will come up against a familiar face in Alonso. The two Spaniards know each other from their time growing up in the Basque region and have maintained a friendship over the years.
The Arsenal manager has welcomed Alonso’s arrival at Chelsea and praised the progress his former colleague has already made in his new role.
But friendship will be put aside when the teams meet.
Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in their last nine Premier League meetings, giving the hosts another psychological advantage heading into the encounter. Arsenal will also have home support behind them as they attempt to maintain their perfect start and continue their title defence.
For Alonso, Sunday represents an opportunity to show that Chelsea’s impressive opening victories are more than just early-season excitement. For Arteta, it is a chance to demonstrate that Arsenal’s defensive strength can withstand one of the league’s most dangerous attacks.
The Arsenal boss knows there will be no easy solution to Chelsea’s attacking threat. His message to his players is simple: everyone must contribute.
If Arsenal can maintain their discipline, protect the spaces between the lines and prevent Chelsea’s forwards from finding room, Arteta will believe his side has an excellent chance of extending its winning start.
But if the Gunners allow Chelsea’s attacking players to isolate defenders, the visitors have enough quality to punish them.
With both sides sitting on six points from their opening two matches, Sunday’s London derby promises to be one of the first major tests of the new Premier League season.
