Arsenal brace for Chelsea test as Spurs seek spark

As Arsenal prepares to face Chelsea in a crucial Premier League match, both teams are putting their strong records on the line. Defending champions Arsenal and Chelsea are among four sides to have won their first two league games this season, along with Manchester City and newly-promoted Hull. Tottenham, on the other hand, is desperately trying to stop their downward trend. They are currently bottom of the table, preparing to take on Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal has started their Premier League title defense as strongly as they finished last season, with a string of impressive results. Last week, they secured a 1-0 win against Aston Villa, marking their sixth clean sheet in seven league matches. Winger Bukayo Saka has also been in fine form, scoring twice already despite an injury-disrupted 2025/26 campaign.

Chelsea, under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, has launched a new era with three wins in all competitions. Their attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Rogers have contributed five of the team's seven league goals so far. However, Alonso will be wary of Chelsea's defensive vulnerabilities, which have resulted in five goals conceded in recent games. Historically, Chelsea has struggled against Arsenal, with a winless streak of nine Premier League matches at the Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham is also desperate to turn things around after a disastrous start to the season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi believes the club will not face another relegation battle despite their poor performances. The north London side has lost their opening two matches, 3-0 to Brentford and 2-0 to Newcastle. They spent over £350 million (US$473 million) on transfers in the summer, but it appears their efforts have not yet yielded positive results. De Zerbi remains optimistic, stating he has confidence in his players despite the recent defeats.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's new manager, Andoni Iraola, is still seeking his first win after frustrating draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. The arrival of France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of up to £124 million is a significant boost for the expensively assembled Liverpool attack, which also includes Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and currently injured Hugo Ekitike.

However, four goals conceded in their last two matches suggest underlying issues in the squad. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has pointed out deficiencies in the full-back and midfield areas, urging Iraola to perform and get the team back on track.