Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso will meet as Premier League rivals for the first time on Sunday, with Arsenal and Chelsea both looking to maintain their perfect starts to the season at the Emirates.
The two managers, both 44, grew up in Spain’s Basque Country and have remained close since their playing days. Their friendship will take a back seat when Arsenal host Chelsea, with both sides sitting on six points after two matches.
“I am really happy for him. It’s incredible because obviously we have the history we have together,” Arteta said of Alonso. “To be facing each other at such a level and with the responsibility we have managing some of the top clubs in the country is a really beautiful thing to experience.”
Arsenal have made a disciplined start to their title defence. They opened with a 3-0 win over Coventry City before beating Aston Villa 1-0 away from home.
Their defensive record has been particularly strong. Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their last seven Premier League matches, while David Raya has faced only one shot on target in their first two league games this season.
Chelsea have taken a different approach under Alonso. They have scored seven times in victories over Fulham and Brighton, with Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers responsible for five of those goals.
The trade-off has been at the other end, with Chelsea conceding five goals. Their approach was particularly evident against Brighton, when they had only 26 per cent possession but created danger by winning the ball and attacking quickly.
Arteta expects Chelsea’s ability to change the pace of the game to be a major factor.
“Game state is a massive one, especially because the two games that they played, they scored very, very early and that changes the momentum and the shift of the game,” he said.
“But they are capable and he’s capable of playing in various ways. He’s been a really successful manager so far.”
Arsenal’s preference for possession and controlled build-up will therefore be tested by a Chelsea side willing to attack directly when opportunities arise.
The recent record between the clubs gives Arsenal further encouragement. Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in their last nine Premier League meetings and are without a victory in their last 11 matches against the Gunners in all competitions.
Alonso’s arrival, however, has brought a different mood around Chelsea. Two wins from two have raised expectations, while their attacking output has offered early evidence of what the new manager wants from his side.
For Arsenal, Sunday represents a tougher test than their opening two fixtures and a chance to maintain their defensive standards against one of the league’s more adventurous attacking sides.
