Arsenal: Mikel Arteta issues Chelsea title verdict amid Xabi Alonso reunion

The London rivals meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, presenting them with the chance to lay down an early marker in the title race.

Both sides have won their opening two matches of the season, though in particularly contrasting fashion.

Arsenal have kept two clean sheets and displayed their strength in defence, whereas Chelsea have won 4-3 and 3-2 in chaotic matches.

The Blues finished tenth in the Premier League last season but are expected to improve significantly under Xabi Alonso, particularly with no European football to contend with.

Arteta is close friends with Alonso and he is preparing for a season-long battle between the two clubs.

Challenger: Xabi Alonso

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"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 for grassroots club Antiguoko.

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

Arteta and Alonso faced off in pre-season when Arsenal took on Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, and on Sunday they will go head-to-head in the heat of a London derby.

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

"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."