Arsenal and Chelsea Put Perfect Premier League Records on the Line

Something has to give when Arsenal host Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend. Both teams have won their opening two matches, but they have made their perfect starts in very different ways.

Arsenal have begun their title defense with the same defensive steel they showed at the end of last season. Their 1-0 win at Aston Villa followed a 3-0 victory over Coventry and marked their sixth clean sheet in seven league matches. Bukayo Saka has also started well, scoring twice after an injury-disrupted 2025/26 campaign.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have opened the Xabi Alonso era with three wins in all competitions. Their new attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers has scored five of the club's seven league goals in victories over Fulham and Brighton. The concern for Alonso is at the other end, where Chelsea have conceded five goals in those matches. History also favors Arsenal: Chelsea are winless in their last nine Premier League meetings with them.

Tottenham face Nottingham Forest after a calamitous start under Roberto De Zerbi. Spurs lost 3-0 to Brentford and 2-0 to Newcastle despite spending more than £350 million in the summer, including on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Savio. De Zerbi remains confident, saying, "I have no doubt it's not like this. I think I can't change my opinion after two defeats. I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players." Forest beat Tottenham twice last season.

Liverpool's Andoni Iraola is also still waiting for his first win after draws with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. France forward Bradley Barcola could make his debut at newly promoted Ipswich after joining from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of up to £124 million.

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I have no doubt it's not like this. I think I can't change my opinion after two defeats. I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players.