Arsenal brace for Chelsea test as Spurs seek spark

Arsenal brace for Chelsea test as Tottenham seeks spark in upcoming Premier League matches. Both teams enter the weekend with 100% records, while Tottenham desperately seeks to stop the downward trend. Defending champions Arsenal and Xabi Alonso's Chelsea are among four sides to win their first two league games this season, along with Manchester City and Hull.

Tottenham currently sits at the bottom of the table, preparing to face Nottingham Forest while Liverpool's new manager, Andoni Iraola, still seeks his first win. Here are three key talking points ahead of the action:

1. Arsenal's formidable defense and Bukayo Saka's scoring prowess: Arsenal have maintained an impenetrable defense, winning six of their last seven Premier League matches, including a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa and a 3-0 win over Coventry. England winger Bukayo Saka, who has scored twice already in the 2025/26 campaign despite an injury-disrupted season, has been a standout performer for the team.

2. Chelsea's Xabi Alonso era and defensive vulnerabilities: Chelsea has launched the Xabi Alonso era with three wins in all competitions, showcasing their attacking prowess with new signings Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Rogers scoring five of their team's seven league goals. However, former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid boss Alonso will need to address Chelsea's defensive struggles, which have conceded five goals in those victories, as they face a tough home match against Arsenal.

3. Tottenham's desperate attempts to stop the decline: Tottenham, who have finished 17th in both of the past two seasons, spent over £350 million in the summer transfer window in an attempt to reset the team. Despite significant spending, including high-profile additions like Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Savio, Tottenham's recent performances have been disappointing, with two consecutive defeats against Brentford and Newcastle.

New manager Roberto De Zerbi remains optimistic about his players' abilities, despite their current struggles.