Chelsea FC's unorthodox start to the Premier League season under Xabi Alonso has ignited debate about their style of play. The Blues sit fourth in the table with six points from two wins, having scored seven goals but conceded five, according to the latest standings.

Sky Sports Football reported on Thursday that Alonso's side are joint-top scorers in the league but have achieved their perfect start with remarkably little of the ball. Against Brighton, Chelsea recorded just 25% possession, the club's lowest share in a Premier League game since Opta records began. They had no more than 38% in their win over Fulham.

Since Opta records began, only two teams have finished in the top four with average possession under 50%: Everton in 2004/05 and Leicester City in 2015/16. This historical context frames the unique challenge Alonso has set. The manager himself downplayed the significance of the statistics. "The data is not important," Xabi Alonso said. "I don't say 'today we need to have 60 per cent or 20 per cent'. I never talk about those things."

How is Chelsea's midfield functioning?

The midfield setup has been unconventional, necessitated by injuries and departures. With Enzo Fernandez having left the club and Moises Caicedo nursing an injury, Romeo Lavia has been acting as the central pivot. Reece James is supporting him in midfield, while Cole Palmer has been deployed deeper to assist despite not being a natural central midfielder. Palmer has adapted well, making three goal contributions already. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been key to building play from the back, completing 97% of his passes directly against Brighton.

Chelsea's heavy investment in the transfer window, spending £340 million on 13 players for the second-highest total in the league, makes the low-possession approach more surprising. The club also missed out on a late target, Lamine Camara of Monaco. With no European football this season, focus is entirely on the domestic campaign, and the next test is a major one. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.

What does this mean for the clash with Arsenal?

The approach faces its sternest examination this Sunday at 4:30pm UK time, live on Sky Sports Main Event. Chelsea travel to face an Arsenal side who are also on maximum points and have not conceded a goal this season. The Gunners are second in the table, setting up a top-of-the-table clash between two of the four remaining perfect teams.

Jamie Carragher highlighted the unusual nature of Chelsea's performances for a club of their stature. "This is not something we usually see from the biggest teams in our league," he said. The team's current injury list, which includes Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra as confirmed on the club's injuries page, adds another layer of complexity to Alonso's task.

Can this style sustain a top-four challenge?

Five of Chelsea's seven goals came in the first half of games, suggesting a strategy of early intensity before surrendering control. While they are the joint-top scorers, they have also conceded the majority of open play in their matches. This high-risk model of absorbing pressure and countering effectively will be scrutinized as the season progresses. The absence of European football provides more recovery time between matches, which may aid this physically demanding approach.

The ultimate test of Alonso's philosophy will be its longevity. Chelsea face Arsenal away on 2026-09-06.