Arsenal and Chelsea both arrive at the Emirates on Sunday with perfect records, setting up one of the standout fixtures of gameweek 3. They’re joined by Manchester City and newly-promoted Hull as the only sides yet to drop points this season.
Arsenal have picked up where they left off last term, building on their title-winning campaign with a 3-0 opening win over Coventry and a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa, a sixth clean sheet in seven league games.
Bukayo Saka has already scored twice after an injury-hit 2025/26 season, giving Mikel Arteta another reason for confidence.
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Chelsea’s start under new manager Xabi Alonso has been built on goals rather than defensive solidity.
Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have combined for five of Chelsea’s seven league goals in wins over Fulham and Brighton, though the team has also shipped five goals in those two matches, an area the former Leverkusen and Real Madrid coach will be keen to address.
History favours Arsenal too, with Chelsea winless in their last nine league meetings with their London rivals.
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Tottenham’s troubles show no sign of easing. After finishing 17th in back-to-back seasons and spending more than £350 million over the summer on players including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Savio, Spurs have opened the campaign with defeats to Brentford and Newcastle.
They travel to face a Nottingham Forest side that beat them twice last season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi, who took charge in late March, remains confident despite the results. “I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players,” he said.
Liverpool’s new era under Andoni Iraola has also stumbled out of the blocks, with draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest either side of four goals conceded. New signing Bradley Barcola could make his debut away at Ipswich on Friday following his move from Paris Saint-Germain.
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– AFP
Photo: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
