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‘Really smart’ - Mikel Arteta has praised Xabi Alonso and Chelsea for their astute signing of Emiliano Martinez as Arsenal get set to host their London rivals in a huge early-season meeting. The Spanish manager feels the World Cup-winning goalkeeper is precisely the kind of addition the Blues required to tighten up their defence and greatly strengthen their Premier League title hopes this season.

Chelsea strengthen squad with former Gunner

Alonso’s spell at Stamford Bridge has started with major changes, underlined by the arrival of 11 players in the summer window. While the club-record £117 million signing of Rogers drew most of the attention, another arrival from Aston Villa has added steel to the Blues’ backline, with Martinez completing a £7.5m move to west London. He has come in as the club’s clear first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Spanish keeper Robert Sanchez, who sealed a deadline-day loan switch to Como.

The Argentina international made an instant impression in Chelsea’s dramatic 4-3 win over Brighton last weekend. Although he made his debut in John Terry’s famous No.26 shirt, Martinez has already switched to the vacant No.1 jersey in time for the meeting with his former club.

Arteta impressed by Chelsea’s transfer work

Speaking before Sunday’s high-profile London derby, Arsenal boss Arteta said he was not surprised to see Martinez complete such a major move. The experienced goalkeeper spent eight years in north London and notably helped Arteta win the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2020 before leaving for Villa Park.

“Obviously, I know Emi really well,” Arteta told reporters in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “We had him here. He is a top goalkeeper.”

Arteta also admitted that bringing a World Cup winner into Chelsea’s defence was a superb piece of business by Alonso. He said: “It is clear what he is going to bring to the team and I think it’s a really smart decision.”

Arsenal brush aside transfer disappointments

Chelsea’s aggressive transfer strategy had a direct effect on Arsenal’s own plans in the summer market. The Gunners were strongly linked with a move for Rogers before the Blues stepped in to take the forward to Stamford Bridge. Even after also missing out on attacking names such as Vinicius Jr. and Julian Alvarez, Arteta insists he is completely unconcerned by the absence of a marquee forward signing.

When asked whether failing to land Rogers was a major setback, the Spaniard dismissed the idea straight away. “I don’t know [if it is a missed opportunity], these are just opinions,” Arteta said. “The window is closed, and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in the squad and not to spend any more time on the things that are not part of us right now. So, that’s it, and that’s my main responsibility.”

An early title test awaits

Both London giants head into Sunday’s clash at the Emirates Stadium with perfect records from their first two Premier League matches. The game is set to be a significant early test of their title credentials.

Martinez will return to familiar surroundings wearing his new squad number and looking to stop an Arsenal attack eager to make a major statement. For Alonso, an away win over the reigning champions would go a long way towards justifying Chelsea’s hectic summer transfer business.