Arsenal host Chelsea in first heavyweight clash of 2026/27
By Neel Shelat
Defence once again set to be Arsenal’s forte
Arsenal’s long-awaited Premier League title victory was built on a rock-solid defence. They conceded just 27 league goals last season and kept clean sheets in half of their games. Challengers Manchester City let in 35 goals, while no one else managed 45 or fewer. The Gunners’ xG conceded tally of 28.3 was even more impressive.
Mikel Arteta’s side could well repeat the trick this term. They have kept clean sheets in all three of their matches so far, already setting themselves apart from everyone else in the league. Their xG conceded tally after two league games is a paltry 0.5, with David Raya only called on to make one save so far.
Chelsea already producing fireworks under Xabi Alonso
By contrast, Chelsea have been clinical at the sharp end in their very first fixtures under new head coach Xabi Alonso. They have a joint-highest tally of seven goals scored after two league games, in addition to the couple that they netted in the EFL Cup. On the flip side, though, their defence has been rather leaky, contributing to making their matches the most entertaining in terms of total goals.
The Blues will definitely need to shore up at the back if they are to end an 11-match winless streak against Arsenal and come away with something from the Emirates Stadium for the first time in five years.
Team news
William Saliba remains unavailable for Arsenal. Bruno Guimarães and Cristhian Mosquera are slight doubts, while Jurrien Timber may return from his ankle injury.
The same cannot be said of Chelsea, who saw Moisés Caicedo limp off in their last game less than 15 minutes after coming on off the bench. Summer signing Marco Palestra is yet to make his debut due to an injury he picked up in training. Jordan Henderson is in a similar position due to his freak wrist injury at the World Cup.
Key players
Declan Rice has yet to complete a full 90 this season after a hectic first half of the year and intense summer, but he could dominate against a weakened Chelsea midfield. Part of his job will be to support Martin Ødegaard in dictating the tempo of the game. Among defenders, Riccardo Calafiori will have a dual responsibility of keeping Pedro Neto quiet while also getting forward and posing a threat himself.
New arrivals Maxence Lacroix and Emiliano Martínez will have a big job to do for Chelsea if they are to avoid defeat. Up front, club-record signing Morgan Rogers could be the hero if the Blues are to get a smash-and-grab victory.
Prediction
Chelsea’s 26% possession share in the 4-3 win over Brighton was the lowest figure ever registered by a Xabi Alonso team. They may look to try something similar here, but the Gunners might still have enough to edge out a win.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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