Chelsea, Arsenal Collide In Early Season London Derby ...

Chelsea, Arsenal Collide In Early Season London Derby …

Sports Correspondent|Stamford Bridge and the Emirates have barely cooled down, and already two unbeaten sides meet. Chelsea travel to Arsenal on Sunday for the Blues’ third Premier League fixture of 2026-27, a London derby that pits two of only four teams with a perfect start to the season against each other.

For Xabi Alonso, it marks a familiar reunion. The Chelsea boss heads to the Emirates for his second straight away league match against a coach he grew up with.

Alonso and Mikel Arteta were born just four months apart and came through the same youth setup at Antiguoko in San Sebastian. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was also part of that same Antiguoko group.

History heavily favors the Gunners lately

This fixture is Chelsea’s most-played opponent in their history, with 215 meetings across all competitions.

This century, 10 Premier League clashes between the two have taken place in August or September. Chelsea have come out on top in five of those, with three draws and one defeat.

However, recent form points to North London. Arsenal have not lost to Chelsea in 11 matches in all competitions, including eight wins and three draws. Nine of those games were in the Premier League.

That nine-game unbeaten league run is Arsenal’s longest against Chelsea since a 19-match streak between 1995 and 2005.

At home, the Gunners have been even more dominant. Arsenal have won their last four Premier League games against Chelsea at the Emirates. The last time they put together a longer home winning run in this fixture was five straight victories between 1990 and 1994.

With both clubs sitting on maximum points after two games, something has to give on Sunday at the Emirates.