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5 September 2026

Chelsea have spent heavily this summer in support of new manager Xabi Alonso.

Mikel Arteta believes Chelsea have the quality to compete with Arsenal for the Premier League title this season.

The two London rivals face each other at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the match offering an early opportunity for both teams to make a statement in the title race.

Both clubs have started the season with two wins from two, although their performances have looked very different.

Arsenal have recorded two clean sheets and underlined their defensive solidity, while Chelsea have come through two high-scoring and chaotic games, winning 4-3 and 3-2.

Chelsea ended last season in 10th place in the Premier League, but there is an expectation that they will improve sharply under Alonso, especially as they do not have European football to deal with.

Arteta, who is a close friend of Alonso, is bracing himself for a battle between the two clubs across the campaign.

Challenger: Xabi Alonso

"I think they have every ingredient to be in the highest part of the table," he said.

"Knowing him [Alonso], knowing the history of the club, the quality of the squad that they have, the schedule that they are going to face in relation to other teams - it is very, very possible that is going to be the case."

Arteta and Alonso both grew up in San Sebastian and came through the grassroots club Antiguoko.

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is also from the same part of Spain and played in the same team as Arteta.

Arteta and Alonso previously came up against each other in pre-season when Arsenal faced Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, and on Sunday they will meet again in the intensity of a London derby.

"I spoke to him before that," Arteta said about Alonso's appointment as Chelsea manager.

"But really happy for him, as I said. It's incredible because obviously we have the history that we have together, the same with Andoni.

"To be facing each other in such a level and with the responsibility we have managing some of the top clubs in the country is a really beautiful thing to experience."