LONDON — Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium in a big London derby as the title favorites and a recalibrated contender collide. Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso go way back, but their friendship will be put to one side for this clash as both teams aim to keep their 100 percent record to start the season.

Natural midfielder Valentin Barco, who joined from Strasbourg in the summer, has been overlooked in favour of Malo Gusto in all three of Chelsea's Premier League matches so far. With Gusto starting in midfield, Chelsea recorded 25.6% possession in last weekend's 4-3 victory over Brighton, their lowest figure since records began in 2003-04.

The Blues were unable to reinforce their midfield after Enzo Fernández’s Deadline Day departure.

The Athletic's Arsenal writer James McNicholas and Chelsea reporter Liam Twomey break down the talking points ahead of a big London derby

Arsenal needed to come from behind to win a breathless game 2-1 against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium as Kai Havertz scored for the third time in the Premier League against his former club. Havertz netted midway through the first half to equalise after Morgan Rogers,

Chelsea want to secure the signing of Bournemouth's Alex Scott now, with a view to the midfielder arriving next summer, after having a £60m bid rejected in the recent transfer window. (Teamtalk)

Champion Arsenal hosts Chelsea for a high-stakes London Derby.

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have delivered their verdicts after Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. While Carragher was left incredibly impressed by Arsenal's defensive solidity despite missing William Saliba,

Havertz may never have become this player at Chelsea, but allowing a talented 24-year-old to join a title rival always carried serious risk. Three years later, he is helping Arsenal win major matches against the very club that sold him.