This Sunday, the reigning champions Arsenal will face their closest rivals Chelsea in a highly anticipated London derby at the Emirates Stadium, marking the highlight of the Premier League weekend. Both teams have maintained perfect records in all competitions so far this season, but that will change when Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso meet on the pitch. Arsenal's season has been characterized by on-field success and off-field frustrations. Their hard-fought 1-0 win against Aston Villa on August 31 was soon overshadowed by a quiet transfer deadline day. While Arteta and Andrea Berta allowed several attacking players, including Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, and record sale Gabriel Martinelli, to leave, they did not bring in any new signings on September 1. Their attempts to lure Julian Alvarez back and pursue Malick Fofana were unsuccessful. An ongoing injury in the attacking line could pose a threat to Arsenal's title defense, at least from the perspective of pessimistic fans. Nevertheless, the team has achieved three wins, three clean sheets, and scored seven goals, which is a solid start. Historically, Arsenal has struggled to win their first three matches of a Premier League season, having accomplished this feat only once in the last 21 years, during the 2022-23 season. In recent years, Arsenal has thrived in capital clashes, remaining unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League London derbies, boasting 12 wins and four draws. On the other hand, Chelsea's impressive start to the 2026-27 season is marked by a potent attack rather than a strong defense, as they have scored a league-high 12 goals in just two matches. Their thrilling 4-3 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion showcased their attacking prowess, as Alonso's side surged to a 3-0 lead, faced a comeback to 3-2, regained a two-goal advantage, and ultimately held on through a tense injury-time finish.