15 facts to know ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea Premier League clash

Arsenal and Chelsea meet at the Emirates on Sunday with both sides carrying 100 per cent Premier League records, but the numbers point to a fascinating contest between Arsenal’s strength and Chelsea’s early attacking firepower.

The Gunners have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, while Chelsea arrive in North London under Xabi Alonso with plenty of attacking confidence after scoring freely in their opening two matches.

15 facts to know ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea

1. Arsenal have dominated the recent head-to-head

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Chelsea, winning eight and drawing three. Chelsea have therefore gone a considerable period without beating their London rivals, with Arsenal holding the clear advantage in recent encounters.

2. Chelsea have the Premier League’s biggest attack

Chelsea have scored more goals, seven, than any other team after the opening two league matches and have also created more goalscoring chances. Their attacking start under Alonso has immediately made them one of the most entertaining sides to watch.

3. Arsenal’s remarkable home success against Chelsea

The Gunners have won their last six home matches against the Blues, scoring 15 goals and conceding only three. That record gives Mikel Arteta’s side another significant psychological advantage against Sunday’s visitors.

5. Chelsea are chasing a rare perfect start

Victory over Arsenal would give Chelsea three wins from their opening three Premier League matches for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. Alonso’s side have already beaten Fulham and Brighton to collect six points.

6. Saka and Gabriel only links to Chelsea’s last victory

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes are the only Arsenal players still at the club who were present when Chelsea last defeated them. Of the pair, only Saka featured in that match.

7. Arsenal’s exceptionally reliable defensive unit

Arsenal have recorded eight Premier League clean sheets since March, three more than any other team during that period. Their defensive consistency will face one of its toughest tests against Chelsea’s fast-starting attack.

8. Chelsea have been scoring in bursts

The Blues scored at least three goals in each of their opening two league matches, a feat they have achieved only three times previously in their history. Their latest outing ended in a 4-3 victory over Brighton.

9. Arsenal are chasing another defensive milestone

Mikel Arteta’s side could become the first team since Liverpool in 2024-25 to keep clean sheets in each of their opening three Premier League games. Arsenal have not achieved that feat since the 2012-13 season.

10. João Pedro’s form under Alonso

The Chelsea forward has scored and provided an assist in both of his opening Premier League appearances under the new manager, giving the Blues another major attacking threat ahead of the Emirates trip.

11. Arsenal have struggled to start quickly in recent seasons

The Gunners have failed to win their third Premier League fixture in each of the last three campaigns. Their most recent victory in Gameweek Three came in August 2022, when they defeated Bournemouth 3-0, which was also the last time they won each of their opening three league matches.

12. Bukayo Saka and Ødegaard vs. Chelsea duels

Bukayo Saka has scored in back-to-back Premier League games since November 2024. The Arsenal star boy has also been directly involved in five goals during Arsenal’s unbeaten run against Chelsea.

Meanwhile Martin Ødegaard has been directly involved in seven Premier League goals against Chelsea. Against no other team has he has more — level with West Ham United.

13. Emi Martinez returns to Arsenal

Emiliano Martinez’s last Arsenal game in his breakthrough season came against Chelsea in the Emirates FA Cup final, which finished in a 2-1 Arsenal win in 2020. He returns for a first London derby, for Chelsea, against Arsenal.

14. Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso H2H

Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso have faced off as managers once, during Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Emirates Cup — Kai Havertz was directly involved in three of the Arsenal goals.

15. Arsenal-Chelsea connections

Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Kai Havertz share history with Chelsea, although only the latter played for the first team. Emiliano Martinez was also on Arsenal’s books 2011 and 2020, but is now Chelsea’s No.1.