Arsenal vs Chelsea: Where will this big clash be won and lost? Will new faces make the difference?

The first true heavyweight encounter of the 2026-27 Premier League season is upon us. On Sunday (kicking off at 4.30pm BST/11.30am ET/8.30am PT), defending champions Arsenal welcome London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s team have begun the top-flight campaign with back-to-back wins, but so have Chelsea, who are one of the division’s many big-hitters at the start of a new era and a team who have scored seven goals but conceded five in those opening two matches. So where will this game be won and lost? And what are the key selection dilemmas facing Arteta and counterpart…