PL 2026/27: 3 things to look forward to ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea

The Premier League is all set for its first marquee showdown of the 2026/27 season, as defending champions Arsenal lock horns against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea in a highly anticipated London derby in Gameweek 3.

Both sides have begun their campaigns with two wins in two and will look to put down a marker in this early-season showdown.

There are a multitude of intriguing sub-plots in this game given the number of potential game-changers each team have at their disposal. Here, we present our top three things to watch out for in this clash of the London giants.

Can Arsenal take advantage of Chelsea’s wobbly defence?

Chelsea might have started the season with two wins on the trot, but as much as this new-look side loves to score goals, it also loves to concede equally, if not more.

The Blues have already conceded five goals in two matches. Even the arrival of Emi Martínez between the sticks failed to have any desired effect against Brighton.

Given how porous and open it is, the Arsenal attack of Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, and Bukayo Saka will definitely relish the prospect of having a go at this Chelsea backline right from the first whistle, especially with a deafening Emirates cheering them on. If the Gunners do manage to make early inroads, it could be a long evening for Alonso and his men.

Can Chelsea’s attackers continue their brilliant start?

While Chelsea’s defence has begun in suspicious fashion, their attack has begun the season like a house on fire. Morgan Rogers has taken to Chelsea like a duck to water. Cole Palmer is also finding his way to being the “Cold” Palmer we know, and João Pedro has taken off from where he left last season.

In all, the trio, now christened as “JP Morgan”, has helped itself to a combined five goals and four assists in two games. However, the three will now face their first big test against a seemingly invulnerable Arsenal backline, which has started the season with back-to-back clean sheets.

Will these three find a way to breach the Gunners’ defence?

Who starts at Arsenal’s left wing?

After the end of the transfer deadline, Arsenal suddenly find themselves short in numbers on the left wing. Leandro Trossard has left for Be?ikta?, Gabriel Jesus has been shipped off to Barcelona, while Gabriel Martinelli has been snapped by Al-Hilal, leaving Mikel Arteta suddenly short on numbers on the left flank.

New signing Christos Tzolis was anonymous against Aston Villa and was hooked off at half-time, having been booked and played the better part of the first half rashly and recklessly without any discernible end product. While Eberechi Eze can slot in there on the left in theory, he is not a natural winger, making this solution kind of a square peg in a round hole.

So, all of a sudden, the Gunners will look to either a rookie for a third game running or a central attacking midfielder who will be forced to play out wide. In a side that is stacked from top to bottom in every other position, the lack of depth on the left wing may prove to be a sore thumb not just against Chelsea, but throughout the season.