Xabi Alonso has delivered a ruthless assessment of Chelsea’s squad depth by banishing one of the club's most expensive young prospects from first-team duties. The Spaniard, who has enjoyed a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge, made it clear that certain players will have to look elsewhere for minutes as he refines his tactical project in west London.
Graeme Souness has once again voiced his concerns over Declan Rice’s credentials as an elite midfielder, delivering a scathing review of the Arsenal star's tactical approach. Despite Rice’s instrumental role in the Gunners' recent successes, the Liverpool legend remains entirely unconvinced by the England international’s positioning on the pitch.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has hit out at Declan Rice, accusing the Arsenal midfielder of committing the "most annoying offence in the world" to spark a confrontation with Morgan Rogers. The England internationals were involved in a heated altercation during the final stages of Arsenal’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday.
Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix insisted that his side were unfortunate to leave the Emirates Stadium empty-handed following their 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday. Despite a spirited performance from the visitors, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners managed to overturn an early deficit to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Chelsea may be left to rue a massive missed opportunity in the transfer market as Fermin Lopez continues his sensational rise at Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder, who has become a focal point for Hansi Flick, was reportedly available to the Blues last summer, but a deal collapsed over a valuation dispute.
Bruno Guimaraes has offered a fascinating insight into the mentality of Mikel Arteta, describing the Arsenal manager as "very obsessed" with continuous improvement. The Brazilian midfielder, who arrived in North London this summer, believes the Spaniard's relentless drive is the primary catalyst behind the Gunners' perfect start to their Premier League title defence.
Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium after finishing the match with two natural right-backs in midfield despite a £349m summer spend. Questions over squad depth persist as manager Xabi Alonso prepares his side to bounce back in upcoming fixtures.
Chelsea forward Morgan Rogers has insisted that the club's long-term trajectory remains positive despite suffering their first defeat of the Xabi Alonso era. The Blues saw their winning streak snapped at the Emirates Stadium, but Rogers is adamant that the squad is still in a period of significant transition and growth.
Emi Martinez is still in the process of finding his feet at Chelsea, but Robert Huth has told GOAL why the World Cup-winning goalkeeper’s “win at all costs” mentality will ultimately serve the Blues well. The Argentina international has been taken to Stamford Bridge as an upgrade on Robert Sanchez, as he boasts the kind of “character” that his shot-stopping predecessor lacked.
Ezri Konsa has expressed his delight after making a winning home debut for Arsenal in their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea. The summer signing proved to be a vital addition to the backline as the Gunners overturned an early deficit to secure all three points in a high-octane London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal defender Gabriel was incredibly fortunate to avoid a red card for kicking Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head. The controversial incident occurred early in a fiery London derby, leaving pundits completely stunned after VAR failed to intervene.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has lauded his side's resilience after the Gunners overturned an early deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over Chelsea. The win at the Emirates Stadium ensures Mikel Arteta's men maintain their perfect start to the new Premier League campaign.
Xabi Alonso has confessed to making a costly error regarding Moises Caicedo following Chelsea's narrow Premier League defeat against Arsenal. The Blues boss admitted he rushed the influential midfielder back to action too quickly against Brighton, resulting in another frustrating setback.
Arsenal's search for a clinical number nine was the primary talking point of the summer transfer window, with several high-profile names linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. While the Gunners eventually opted for a different path, it has emerged that Chelsea star Joao Pedro was firmly on their radar before a final decision was made by the club's hierarchy.
Arsenal secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea in a dramatic Premier League London derby at the Emirates Stadium. Despite Morgan Rogers giving the visitors a shock early lead and VAR controversially denying Riccardo Calafiori, goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard sealed the win.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has heavily criticised his old club for their decision to sell Kai Havertz to London rivals Arsenal. Havertz was instrumental in helping Mikel Arteta's side secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, prompting Cole to question the transfer strategy that allows highly talented players to strengthen their direct competitors.
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have delivered their verdicts after Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. While Carragher was left incredibly impressed by Arsenal's defensive solidity despite missing William Saliba, Neville issued a harsh critique of Chelsea's back three, though he remains confident in Xabi Alonso's overall project at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has expressed his delight after helping his side overcome his former club Chelsea 2-1 in a pulsating London derby at the Emirates Stadium. The German international played a pivotal role as the Gunners maintained their perfect start to the new Premier League campaign.
Arsenal fans took the opportunity to mock Chelsea midfielder Morgan Rogers with a brutal chant during a thrilling 2-1 victory on Sunday. After Rogers opted for a lucrative summer transfer to Stamford Bridge instead of joining Mikel Arteta's side, the Emirates crowd unforgivingly reminded him of his choice as he was substituted late in the highly anticipated London derby.
Mikel Arteta could not hide his delight after watching Arsenal maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea. Despite falling behind in the opening minutes, the Gunners rallied to secure a win that keeps them level with Manchester City at the top of the table.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice played a pivotal leadership role by calming his team-mates during a chaotic spell in their pulsating 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea. After a frantic start and a touchline eruption from Blues boss Xabi Alonso, Rice's timely intervention helped Arsenal regain composure and secure their third consecutive win.
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has admitted that his side are feeling the pain after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. The Blues took an early lead at the Emirates Stadium but were ultimately undone by a spirited comeback from Mikel Arteta's side.
Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a gritty 2-1 comeback victory over London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. Despite falling behind to an early strike, Mikel Arteta's side demonstrated the tactical maturity and clinical finishing that has defined their recent title charges, securing three wins from their opening three matches.
Arsenal defender Gabriel avoided a controversial red card after his boot caught Emi Martinez in the face during a frantic Premier League clash against Chelsea. The chaotic London derby also saw Riccardo Calafiori have an early equaliser ruled out by VAR for offside, before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard struck to give the Gunners a 2-1 lead on Sunday.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso revealed that Morgan Rogers was the club's top transfer target following their summer squad rebuild. The Blues prepare to put their perfect start on the line in a high-stakes London derby against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.