Arsenal faced a major Premier League test in a London derby against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, September 6th, 2025. The match came as both clubs aimed to protect perfect starts to the campaign.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal entered the fixture sitting fourth with a 2-0-0 record, fresh from a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. The Gunners were also looking ahead to the start of their Champions League group stage the following week. This home game against Chelsea was their last at the Emirates before a run of four consecutive away matches across three competitions.
Arsenal's form was solid, built on defensive resilience. In contrast, Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, had been explosive. Alonso, previously of Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, became Chelsea's tenth non-interim manager since their last league title in 2016/17. His team had also won their first two matches, scoring seven goals but conceding five for an average of six total goals per game. Key attackers João Pedro, Cole Palmer, and new signing Morgan Rogers had found the net.
Chelsea's squad had undergone a dramatic summer overhaul. Their major arrivals included a £116m move for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, alongside signings like Maxence LaCroix, Emi Martinez, and Danny Welbeck. Significant departures saw Enzo Fernandez join Manchester City, Andrey Santos move to Manchester United, and Nicolas Jackson head to Aston Villa.
The Blues had several fitness concerns ahead of the clash. Midfielder Moises Caicedo was ruled out with a calf issue, while new signing Jordan Henderson had a wrist problem. Another recruit, Marco Palestra, was also injured. The club had attempted to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco, but the transfer did not materialize. Commenting on the window's end, Alonso simply said, "that's enough of that." The club itself issued a statement describing certain late approaches as "deeply unprofessional."
Fast forward to the present day, September 6th, 2026, and Arsenal's situation provides context. The team currently sits 3rd in the Premier League with six points from two wins. Their form has been impressive, scoring four goals and conceding none for a +4 goal difference. They are, however, three points behind leaders Manchester City in the early title race.
Managerial consistency with Arteta contrasts with the flux seen at rivals. The squad faces some defensive absences, with Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera currently sidelined. Their next challenge is an away trip to face Sunderland, who are 11th, on September 12th. Fans can view the full fixtures schedule online.
This particular London derby arrived at a key early season moment. For Arsenal, it was a chance to measure themselves against a lavishly assembled rival and build momentum before a demanding away stretch and European football's return. For Chelsea and Alonso, it was an early examination of their new-look team's credentials against top-four opposition. The high-scoring nature of Chelsea's early games suggested an open contest, while Arsenal's tighter defensive record pointed to a tactical battle. The result would provide a major statement for either club's ambitions.
The full details of the squad involved in that 2025 derby and the current roster are available on the official squad page. Arsenal's next match is away to Sunderland on September 12th, 2026.
