Chelsea head to the Emirates Stadium this afternoon knowing one unwanted record has followed them for more than five years.
Xabi Alonso’s side have made an exciting start to the new season, but Arsenal represent a very different challenge.
The Blues have not beaten their London rivals in 11 consecutive matches across all competitions, a sequence stretching back to August 2021.
Ending it would represent Alonso’s biggest Chelsea result so far.
Chelsea’s worrying Arsenal record
Chelsea have faced Arsenal more often than any other opponent in their history.
Unfortunately, recent meetings have heavily favoured the Gunners.
According to Chelsea’s official Arsenal vs Chelsea statistics, Arsenal are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings in all competitions, winning eight and drawing three.
The Premier League sequence stands at nine without defeat for Arsenal.
That is their longest unbeaten league run against Chelsea since a 19-match sequence between 1995 and 2005.
Things have become particularly difficult at the Emirates.
Arsenal have won their last four home Premier League games against Chelsea.
The Gunners have not managed five consecutive home league victories over the Blues since a run between 1990 and 1994.
Chelsea therefore have history working against them this afternoon.
But Alonso’s new-look side also have reasons to believe that run can finally end.
Chelsea’s last Arsenal win came at the Emirates
Chelsea’s most recent victory against Arsenal actually came at today’s venue.
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues travelled across London in August 2021 and delivered a convincing 2-0 victory.
Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring on his second Chelsea debut before Reece James doubled the advantage before half-time.
James remains at Chelsea five years later and could again have an important role today.
The captain’s position has become one of Alonso’s most interesting tactical decisions, which we explored in our Chelsea predicted XI against Arsenal.
Much has changed since that 2021 victory.
Chelsea have changed managers repeatedly, rebuilt their squad and now arrive at the Emirates under Alonso after an explosive start to 2026/27.
Arsenal defence faces different Chelsea threat
Chelsea have scored seven goals in their opening two Premier League matches, the joint-highest tally in the division.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are yet to concede.
That gives today’s contest a simple underlying battle: the league’s most productive attack against a defence that has started perfectly.
Alonso will need considerably more from his attack than Chelsea managed on several recent visits to north London.
Last season’s trip ended in a 2-1 Arsenal victory, with Chelsea punished twice from set-pieces before Pedro Neto was sent off.
However, Chelsea did compete strongly for long periods and came close to a stoppage-time equaliser.
Our analysis of how Chelsea can beat Arsenal at the Emirates highlighted how Alonso can use the pace and creativity available to him when Arsenal leave space in transition.
Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer give Chelsea attacking weapons that can punish those moments.
The history is firmly against the Blues.
A victory today would not simply maintain Chelsea’s perfect Premier League start.
It would end a five-year wait and finally break Arsenal’s hold over this fixture
