Bukayo Saka sends message to Chelsea ahead of Arsenal clash

Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal’s wining goal against Aston Villa (Picture: Sky Sports)

Bukayo Saka has warned Chelsea they are set for an acid test of their title credentials when they face the champions on Sunday.

Following another summer of seismic spending, the Blues have put together a formidable looking squad that appears to be on the right road under the management of Xabi Alonso.

A formidable front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who had the chance to join Arsenal in the summer, have struck up an immediate understanding and that trio has contirbuted five of Chelsea’s seven Premier League goals already this season.

Defensively, however, Alonso’s new-look side are still a work in progress, despite the addition of a new No.1 goalkeeper in Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentina international conceded three times on his debut against Brighton on Sunday and will no doubt face a stiff examination against his former side this weekend in the first summit meeting of the new campaign.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have picked up where they left off last term and made it two wins from two last night with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Aston Villa.

Saka’s goal, which arrived just before the hour mark, proved to be the difference between the two sides as the Gunners kept their sixth clean sheet in their last seven Premier League games.

"We'll see on Sunday" Bukayo Saka on his mentality and the Chelsea game at the weekend 👀 pic.twitter.com/7uxJrnXbly— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2026

A case of the immovable object meeting the irresistible force awaits on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium with both teams desperate to lay down an early marker.

Asked if he’d paid attention to the start Arsenal’s London rivals have made to the new campaign, Saka gave a wry smile before saying: ‘Yeah, I’ve seen them.’

Pressed on what he had made of the wins over Fulham and the Seagulls, he added: ‘We’ll see on Sunday.’

Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal’s goal just before the hour mark (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, meanwhile, isn’t yet ready to buy into the Chelsea hype and hinted Manchester City should not be discounted from challenging for the title, despite the overhaul at the Etihad.