Are you surprised how well Alonso's Chelsea have done so quickly?

🗣 Mikel Arteta: "Not surprised, because obviously you see the magnitude and the stature of that football club, the history that they have, the squad that they have, the squad that they built again this summer, and the quality that Xabi has as a manager, and the clear ideas that he's going to install on that team to make him successful."

🚨 Xabi Alonso believes Reece James can have a bigger influence on his team-mates from the middle of the park.

[Via Matt Law]

🎙 David Ornstein: "Alex Scott was the main target of Chelsea. They did go really strongly for him."

🗣 BBC's Ian dennis on Enzo Fernandez comments about joining a big club:

"They [Chelsea] brought him over and enhanced his career, because on the evidence of what you witnessed at the last World Cup, you wouldn't have paid that money for him.

He's had success with Chelsea, and then he's been disrespectful. I thought he showed his true colors. He lacks grace."

Paul Merson on Chelsea's summer window:

🗣 "I like the players they brought in, and players they got rid of. And for the money they got rid of them, they should be knighted. They've pulled up trees.

The money they brought in and turned around for players that never done anything really at the club and failed quite miserably, they've got rid of them for more of a profit. I think they've done absolutely amazing."

🚨🔵 Xabi Alonso on if Morgan Rogers' immediate impact has surprised him:

"Probably yes, because it’s been just three weeks since he started playing for Chelsea and started training with us and getting his fitness level, but he has had a very good impact."

"I hoped he would have a straight impact on the team and that he would get along with his teammates so well, because he knew many of them. That’s why he was such an important target and a goal for us to get him, and once we got him in the building, he fulfilled our expectations."

To North London for Arsenal (A). ⏳

#CFC  | #ARSCHE

🚨 Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera were NOT spotted with the @Arsenal_london squad on Sunday morning,

(standardsport) #CFC 

#Pre-game analysis

Arsenal: what I expect from them is Control

They’ve won their first two league games without conceding, including a difficult 1-0 away win at @Aston_Villa. Their defensive structure is currently excellent, and they’ve conceded only one shot on target across their opening two league matches.

I expect Arteta to try to:

• Build patiently from the back.
• Use Rice and Ødegaard to control the central areas.
• Get Saka isolated against Chelsea’s left side.
• Push Chelsea backwards through sustained possession.
• Immediately counter-press whenever possession is lost.
• Keep a strong “rest defence” behind the ball to prevent Chelsea’s transitions.

The Saka–White relationship on Arsenal’s right could be one of the most important areas of the game. Saka has already scored twice this season and @Arsenal_london have a very reliable attacking outlet on that side

Chelsea’s best way to counter Arsenal is NOT to try to out-control Arsenal. They should make the game uncomfortable, force Arsenal into transitions, and attack the spaces Arsenal leave when they push forward.

Chelsea have started the season very aggressively under Xabi Alonso, while Arsenal have been much more structured and defensive. Chelsea have scored freely but have also conceded five in two league games.

1. Let Arsenal have the ball — then attack the space

This is probably Chelsea’s biggest weapon.

Arsenal will naturally push their full-backs and midfielders forward. Chelsea shouldn’t panic when Arsenal have 60%+ possession.

Instead:

Arsenal build → Chelsea stay compact → Arsenal lose the ball → QUICK TRANSITION.

Chelsea need Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro immediately running into the spaces behind Arsenal’s midfield.

That’s where Arsenal can actually be vulnerable.

⚡ 2. Attack before Arsenal can set their defence

This is VERY important.

Once Arsenal get everyone behind the ball, they’re extremely difficult to break down. They’ve allowed just one shot on target across their opening two league matches.

So Chelsea shouldn’t spend 30 seconds passing around Arsenal’s block.

When they win the ball:

Caicedo/Lavia/James → Palmer → João Pedro/Rogers

One or two quick passes.

Get Arsenal’s centre-backs running toward their own goal, rather than allowing them to face the attackers.

🎯 3. Palmer needs to live between Arsenal’s midfield and defence

This is Chelsea’s most dangerous situation.

Palmer shouldn’t constantly stay wide.

He should drift into that right/central half-space and look for the ball between Arsenal’s midfield and defenders.

If he receives there:

• @Arsenal_london midfielder has to step out
• Centre-back can’t comfortably leave his position
• João Pedro can run behind
• Rogers can attack the opposite channel

That’s how Chelsea can create the first big opening.

Attack Arsenal’s right side aggressively

Chelsea need to make Arsenal’s right side defend.

Saka is one of Arsenal’s biggest attacking weapons, but that also means Chelsea can try to pin him back.

If Chelsea’s wing-back pushes high, Arsenal’s right-sided player has a decision:

Stay with the wing-back → Saka can’t counter quickly.

Push forward → Chelsea have space behind him.

Chelsea should repeatedly create this dilemma

Don’t allow Ødegaard to control the game (even though he Can’t )

This is another huge one.

If Ødegaard receives comfortably between the lines, Arsenal can start playing exactly the football they want.

Chelsea need to make his life uncomfortable:

Ødegaard receives → immediate pressure → force him backwards/sideways.

Don’t necessarily chase him everywhere. Just make sure he can’t turn and play forward.

If Chelsea stop Ødegaard from connecting Arsenal’s midfield to Saka and the attack, Arsenal become much more predictable.

🛡️ 6. Chelsea need a compact 5-4-1/5-2-3 without the ball

This is where Alonso’s system can help.

His teams have historically been comfortable switching between a back three/five and more aggressive pressing structures.

Chelsea could effectively have:

João Pedro

Rogers — Palmer

Hato — Lavia — James — Neto
though he Can’t )


The important thing isn’t the exact formation.

It’s keeping the central area crowded.

Don’t let Arsenal play through the middle.

Force them wide.

Then Chelsea can defend crosses and look for the counter.

Your Chelsea XI.

#CFC  | #ARSCHE

Thoughts?

🚨 Alonso: “Looking forward to seeing Arteta but once the whistle blows it’s game on” (SkySportsPL)