Chelsea have parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino after just one season at the club. Arsenal secured a 5-0 win at home and a draw at Stamford Bridge during their two clashes with the Blues, in which Pochettino ended a losing streak against the Gunners in west London.
Todd Boehly has seemingly not been impressed enough by Pochettino to make the choice as critics have claimed that once again Chelsea will be starting from scratch and choosing from a pool of coaches lacking in potential.
But what does this decision mean for London rivals Arsenal? The Gunners are fresh off a second successive title challenge and will be aiming for a third time to beat Manchester City, so where Chelsea figure in the dynamic remains uncertain.
Transition again for Chelsea
Arsenal will look to take advantage of yet more uncertainty at Chelsea with their record against the Gunners already in ruin. Arsenal have been beaten just once in the last 10 meetings between the two sides, winning seven and are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in the league since 2018.
The summer shake-up in 2023 saw the Gunners take advantage of the clear-out and sign Kai Havertz despite plenty of scrutiny over the deal. However, it looks like Arsenal were the side to get the better of the deal as, despite the £65million price tag, Havertz is now a crucial part of this Arsenal side, becoming the starting centre-forward and scoring plenty of vital goals including two against his former club.
Transfer opportunities
Like with Havertz, Arsenal might again be ready to snap up any potential options they see as a good fit for their project. Gunners supporters have been given little reason of late to doubt the processes behind who their club targets, and have been proven wrong or justified in their view of players that have gone to have such success.
Conor Gallagher stands out as a potential midfield candidate with some suggestions that there might be some openness from Chelsea over a sale – which would be ridiculous as one of the few standout players of their season.
The Mourinho fear
Jose Mourinho remains a name that Arsenal fans are perhaps cautiously hoping does not rekindle his connection with Chelsea for a third time. Despite the club’s plight since his last departure, Mourinho holds something of a reputation with Chelsea.
His record against Arsenal when Chelsea’s manager is also exceptional. That said, Arteta did manage to beat the Portuguese coach for the third time of asking despite back-to-back defeats in the first couple of meetings, which will provide hope that this new era of the Arsenal-Chelsea divide, which stretched to 36 points this season, will continue.
