Arsenal vs Chelsea: Saturday, September 24th at Emirates Stadium, London

On September 24th Arsenal plays host to their London rivals Chelsea for the first time this season, in what will be the latest chapter in a fixture that goes back over one hundred years. Traditionally considered the top two clubs in London, this season will see both sides fighting it out for Premiership glory as well as bragging rights in England’s capital city. The corresponding fixture last season saw Chelsea take the three points back to Stamford Bridge courtesy of a Diego Costa goal in the 23rd minute, which was a bitter pill for Gunners fans to swallow as Chelsea took the lead a mere five minutes after Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker had been sent off for a foul on match-winner Costa. Arsene Wenger’s men had the last laugh, however, as they managed a late surge to pip fellow London rivals Tottenham to 2nd place in the league, while Chelsea ended one of the worst seasons in their recent history in 10th. With that said, a new season brings with it fresh hope and optimism for the year ahead, and once again Chelsea looks to have stolen a march on their London counterparts. As is becoming the norm, much to the chagrin of their fans, Arsenal have been relatively inactive in the transfer market once again. The only notable signing at the time of writing is 23-year-old Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, who was brought in from Borussia Monchengladbach of the German Bundesliga back in May for a fee rumoured to be in the region of £30 million. A stand-out at this summer's Euro 2016 tournament, Xhaka won a man of the match award for his performance against Albania and played in every minute of Switzerland’s campaign, where they were eliminated at the last 16 stage. Arsenal’s transfer market activity has become something of a running joke with opposition fans and the media in England alike, as Wenger seems unwilling or unable to make the key signings that Arsenal’s fanbase craves. With that said, they did finish 2nd last season, ahead of their big-spending rivals, but with major changes at both Manchester clubs and Chelsea, and Liverpool experiencing their first pre-season under Jurgen Klopp you have to believe that Arsenal will really have to up their game to even come close to matching that finish this season. The arrival of Chelsea to the Emirates next month will be a real test of Arsenal’s resolve, and perhaps more interesting will be the chance to monitor the progress that Chelsea have made under new boss Antonio Conte. Blues fans are quick to acknowledge that last season was one to forget. They dismissed Jose Mourinho in December, with the club in 16th place and only one point above the relegation zone. The ever-reliable Gus Hiddink stepped in and steered them to a semi-respectable 10th place, but by the time the Dutchman was handed the reigns much of the damage had already been done. Club owner Roman Abramovich wasted no time in setting about rebuilding his battered club and signalled his intent early on when it was announced that former Juventus and current Italy national coach Antonio Conte would be taking over as head coach for the 2016/17 season on a three-year contract. Conte, having won 5 Serie A titles with Juventus as a player, as well as bringing home two runners-up medals with the Italian national side in both a World Cup and European Championships, is a born winner. He has replicated this winning mentality as a coach, having taken Italian giants Juventus to three league titles during his time in Italy. Heading into the new season it looks clear that Conte believes he already has the nucleus of a side that can challenge for honours, with only two major signings made during the summer in 22-year-old Belgian Michy Batshuayi from French club Marseille, and N’Golo Kante from current English champions Leicester City for a combined sum in the region of £65 million. Perhaps the most valuable piece of business done in the summer by Conte was convincing temperamental striker Diego Costa that his future lies at Stamford Bridge. Late into last season, it looked more and more likely that the Spanish international would be headed for the exit, with a return to former club Atletico Madrid seemingly on the cards. That hasn’t been the case, though, and it now looks as though Costa will play a crucial part in the Chelsea rebirth this season. At the moment it’s difficult to know which, if any, further business will be conducted in the transfer window by either club. There is still a few weeks before the window slams shut on September 1st. If rumours are to be believed Arsenal are finally looking to address their issues at the back, with Atletico Madrid’s Uruguayan international centre-back Jose Gimenez a £40 million target, as well as long-term transfer target Julian Draxler of Wolfsburg a possibility this summer. Chelsea are also in the hunt for a new centre-back to boost their defence ahead of the new season, with Antonio Conte looking likely to turn to his former Serie A rivals Napoli in a bid to tempt Kalidou Koulibaly to London, as well as PSG defender Marquinhos. Regardless of any further signings this summer, one thing that is for certain is that the intense rivalry for London supremacy will continue this season between Arsenal and Chelsea, with the next chapter being written on September 24th. Who will draw first blood? We can hardly wait to find out. 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