Arsenal don’t tend to do well at Stamford Bridge and despite new figures in the dugout this season, it’s hard to see the trend changing. The newest entrants to the top 6 managerial cabal had differing starts to their English tenures, but I for one can’t read too much into Chelsea’s stroll at Huddersfield, regardless of how smooth and proactive Maurizio Sarri’s Blues already look in contrast to last season.
While Unai Emery was slightly chastened in last weekend’s opener, we can’t lose sight of the fact that it was against City — the champions now in year three of the Pep Guardiola era. The loss does present an opportunity to Emery however. He can show us immediately that he is different from Arsene Wenger. Will he tweak at least a few things to prove that Arsenal are indeed heading into a new era of tactical flexibility and greater accountability?
There are also some questions on the pitch. As impressive as Chelsea were last weekend, can David Luiz be exposed by the pace of Aubameyang and Lacazette? On the flip side, how will Sokratis and a makeshift left back handle the threat of Hazard and Willian?