Old friends turn foes as Arteta's Arsenal host Alonso's Chelsea

The friendship between Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso will add a fascinating layer to an already intriguing London derby, with Arsenal and Chelsea both putting perfect Premier League starts on the line at the Emirates on Sunday.

Arteta and Alonso, both 44, grew up together in Spain’s Basque Country and have remained close through their playing and coaching careers. Now, their contrasting footballing philosophies will collide in the Premier League for the first time.

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“I am really happy for him. It's incredible because obviously we have the history we have together,” Arteta said of Alonso. “To be facing each other at 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.”

The stakes, however, leave little room for sentiment. Both sides have won their opening two league games, meaning something has to give on Sunday.

Arteta’s Arsenal have begun their title defence in typically controlled fashion, beating Coventry City 3-0 before a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa. They have kept six clean sheets in their last seven league matches, while goalkeeper David Raya has faced just one shot on target across the two games this season.

Chelsea, by contrast, have embraced a more dynamic approach under Alonso. They have scored seven goals in wins over Fulham and Brighton, with Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers already combining for five league goals. But the attacking freedom has come at a cost, with Chelsea conceding five times.

Against Brighton, Chelsea had just 26 percent possession but repeatedly hurt their opponents on turnovers, using pace to launch direct attacks.

Arteta knows containing that threat will be central to Arsenal’s hopes.

“Game state is a massive one, especially because the two games that they played, they scored very, very early and that changes the momentum and the shift of the game,” he said. “But they are capable and he's capable of playing in various ways. He’s been a really successful manager so far.”

While Arsenal favour possession, control and building from the back, Alonso’s Chelsea have shown a willingness to attack quickly and directly. That clash of ideas could ultimately decide which friend walks away with bragging rights.

Recent history, meanwhile, strongly favours Arteta’s side. Chelsea are winless in their last nine Premier League meetings with Arsenal and have not beaten the Gunners in their last 11 games in all competitions, a run stretching five years.

Yet Chelsea arrive with renewed belief and genuine title ambitions. Arsenal’s defensive armour, so rarely breached in recent months, will face its sternest examination yet.

Two old friends, two unbeaten records and two very different footballing visions. By Sunday night, at least one of those perfect starts will be gone.