ArsenalSummary
Generated byArsenal's title defence is under its first real test this weekend, with Chelsea visiting the Emirates on Sunday in what shapes up as the defining fixture of the early Premier League season. Mikel Arteta's side sit second on six points from two games, level with Manchester City at the top, after a 1-0 win at Aston Villa on August 31 kept their momentum intact. The derby arrives at a complicated moment for the club, though, with Arteta confirming two injury absentees from Thursday's preparations and uncertainty over the squad's depth in attack.
That attacking depth has been the central debate surrounding Arsenal all week. The summer window closed with Gabriel Martinelli completing a £60 million move to Al-Hilal after being frozen out by Arteta, while Gabriel Jesus departed to Barcelona on a cut-price deal. The club brought in only Christos Tzolis as a direct replacement for the trio of forwards who left. Arteta has pushed back firmly against criticism, insisting the recruitment strategy was ambitious and fully delivered on its targets, but pundits including Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher have been unconvinced, with Carragher arguing Arsenal failed to land the match-changing signing their title rivals now possess.
Chelsea arrive in strong form under Xabi Alonso and have strengthened significantly, with Emiliano Martinez among their summer additions. Arteta publicly praised that signing as a smart piece of business, a candid acknowledgement of the threat his side face. With Chelsea potentially without Moises Caicedo through injury, Arsenal will sense an opportunity to send an early statement about their credentials as champions.
Arsenal Overview
August 2026
Standings
Frequently asked questions
A group of workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armanent Factory, who called themselves Dial Square, formed a football team in 1886. They would later rename themselves to Royal Arsenal in the same year. In 1893, the club was renamed to Woolwich Arsenal, before finally being named just Arsenal in 1919, six years after they moved to Highbury.
American billionaire Enos Stanley Kroenke is the owner of Arsenal, purchasing the club via Arsenal Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE).
The Emirates Stadium is the name of Arsenal's stadium. It has been the team's home ground since 2006, replacing Highbury, which served as Arsenal's home venue from 1913.
The Emirates Stadium has a capacity of 60,704 and is among the UK's biggest football venues.
Arsenal have won 48 trophies till date, including 13 league titles and a record 14 FA Cups.
Arsenal have 13 English top flight titles to their name, making them the third-most successful team behind Man Utd and Liverpool. They, however, won their last title over two decades ago.
London-born Irish defender David O'Leary sits at the top of the list for most Arsenal appearances in history. O'Leary spent 18 years at the club and made 722 appearances in all competitions, ahead of Tony Adams, George Armstrong, and Lee Dixon.
Thierry Henry is Arsenal's leading goalscorer of all-time with 228 goals in 377 games. No other Arsenal player has scored over 200 goals for the club, with Ian Wright sitting in second place (185 goals in 288 games).
Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Ozil, Robert Pires, and Robin van Persie are among the popular footballing names to have played for Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery, George Graham, and Herbert Chapman are among the biggest names to have been in charge of Arsenal throughout their notable history.
Arsenal have a pretty unique nickname, called The Gunners. This nickname is a reference to the club's origins in the late 19th century, when a group of workers from the Royal Arsenal armanent factory in Woolwich formed the club. That's also the reason why the Arsenal badge includes a cannon.