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EPL: Arsenal Face Chelsea Test as Tottenham Fight to End Woeful Start

EPL: Arsenal Face Chelsea Test as Tottenham Fight to End Woeful Start

Global NewsTrackSports, News3 hours ago13 Views

Arsenal and Chelsea will put their perfect starts to the new Premier League season on the line when the London rivals meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, while Tottenham Hotspur will be desperate to halt their early-season slide against Nottingham Forest.

Defending champions Arsenal are among the four teams to have won their opening two league matches, alongside Chelsea, Manchester City and newly promoted Hull City.

Arsenal’s defence faces Chelsea’s attack

Arsenal have begun their title defence with the same defensive resilience that characterised their campaign last season.

Mikel Arteta’s side followed a 3-0 opening-day victory over Coventry with a narrow 1-0 win away to Aston Villa. The result means Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their last seven Premier League matches.

Bukayo Saka has also made an encouraging start after an injury-hit 2025/26 campaign, with the England winger already finding the net twice.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have enjoyed a strong beginning to the Xabi Alonso era, winning their first three matches across all competitions.

The Blues have looked particularly dangerous in attack, with Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers accounting for five of their seven league goals in victories over Fulham and Brighton.

However, Chelsea have also conceded five goals in those two league matches, leaving Alonso with defensive issues to address before the trip to Arsenal.

History also favours the hosts. Chelsea are without a Premier League victory over Arsenal in their last nine meetings, making Sunday’s encounter another major test of Alonso’s new-look side.

Tottenham desperate for a response

Tottenham will travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday hoping to avoid another setback after a disastrous opening to the season.

Spurs have suffered consecutive defeats, losing 3-0 to Brentford before a 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle. They currently sit bottom of the Premier League table.

The poor start comes despite Tottenham spending more than £350 million during the summer transfer window as they sought to rebuild the squad.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi remains confident that the club can turn its fortunes around despite the disappointing results.

“After two defeats, maybe somebody can think it’s the same story, the same as the last two seasons,” De Zerbi said.

“I have no doubt it’s not like this. I think I can’t change my opinion after two defeats. I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players.”

Tottenham face an especially difficult assignment at the City Ground, having lost both meetings with Forest last season.

Iraola seeks first Liverpool win

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is still waiting for his first Premier League victory after successive draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

The champions have scored in both matches but have also conceded four goals, raising questions about their defensive balance.

Liverpool have strengthened their attacking options with the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal reportedly worth up to £124 million.

Barcola could make his debut against newly promoted Ipswich Town on Friday, joining an attack that already includes Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, while Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined by injury.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has warned that the squad still has weaknesses despite its attacking firepower.

“Liverpool are short in the full-back areas and probably a midfield player as well,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

Iraola, however, believes the close of the transfer window gives Liverpool clarity as they prepare to focus fully on the campaign.

“Once the market is closed, we know who we are,” he said. “I think we have a lot of talent in this group of players.”

Liverpool travel to Ipswich on Friday seeking a first league victory under their new manager.