Mikel Arteta is not interested in comfort. Not right now. Not with a major London derby coming up. Ahead of Arsenal’s next Premier League clash against Chelsea, the Gunners boss has made his message clear: recent dominance in this fixture does not guarantee anything.

It is an attitude that fits Arsenal’s season. They are fighting at the top end of the table, chasing trophies and trying to keep momentum through the toughest part of the campaign. But Arteta knows big matches can flip fast. One mistake, one moment, one tactical surprise — and past results become a meaningless memory.

“It Means Nothing”  Why Arteta Is Shutting Down the Noise

Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea looks strong on paper. They have not lost to their rivals since 2021, and they have enjoyed a productive run across recent meetings. They also beat Chelsea twice in the recent League Cup semi-finals, another reminder of how well Arteta’s side have handled this matchup lately.

However, Arteta is pushing hard against the idea that history provides an advantage. His point is simple: every game brings new conditions. Line-ups change. Confidence rises and falls. Coaches adapt. A rival can improve quickly. Even the story within a single season can shift.

Fans may be surprised how strongly Arteta dismisses the “record” angle, but it makes sense. If Arsenal walk into this match feeling protected by previous wins, they lose their edge. If they approach it as a fresh battle, they stay sharp. That mindset is often what separates title challengers from teams that stumble under pressure.

Chelsea’s New Identity Adds Danger

One reason Arteta is refusing to relax is Chelsea’s current momentum. Under new head coach Liam Rosenior, Chelsea have shown stability and resilience. They have put together a solid unbeaten run in the league, and the team looks more tactically flexible than earlier in the season.

That flexibility is exactly what Arteta highlighted. Chelsea can shift their shape during games. They can adjust their pressing approach. They can change how they build attacks. And in a derby, those small tweaks can create big problems, especially if the match becomes frantic or emotionally charged.

In other words, Arsenal are not preparing for “Chelsea from last season” or “Chelsea from last month.” They are preparing for the Chelsea that shows up now — with confidence, improved organization, and the belief that they can punch above expectations in a high-profile fixture.

Arsenal’s Challenge: Stay Calm, Stay Ruthless

Arsenal’s best version this season has been built on control. They dominate phases of play, win the ball back quickly, and attack with purpose rather than chaos. Against Chelsea, that approach matters even more. Derbies can become messy, and that usually helps the team that can’t match Arsenal’s technical rhythm.

Arteta will want his side to manage emotions and keep decision-making clean. That means smart positioning, quick passing under pressure, and avoiding cheap turnovers in dangerous areas. It also means being ruthless when chances arrive. In tight fixtures, you cannot afford to miss two or three good moments and hope you get a fourth.

From an Arsenal perspective, the goal is not to “prove” they are better. It’s to win. Title races are not built on statements. They are built on points.

The Quadruple Talk? Arteta Isn’t Entertaining It

As Arsenal continue competing on multiple fronts, the bigger headlines always arrive: “Can they win everything?” “Is a quadruple possible?” “Are we watching a historic season?” Arteta has a very clear response to that kind of talk. He does not want it.

Arteta has stressed how rare it is for a club to win four major trophies in one season. Football history makes that clear. The margins are brutal. The schedules are unforgiving. Injuries appear without warning. One poor performance can end a cup run instantly.

So Arteta keeps bringing the conversation back to the next match, the next preparation, the next ninety minutes. That is not just media training. It is also a survival strategy for a squad trying to handle pressure week after week.

What This Match Could Decide

For Arsenal, this game is about maintaining their league momentum and protecting their position at the top end of the table. For Chelsea, it is a chance to disrupt a title contender and prove they are a serious force again.

Derbies are rarely predictable. Form can matter less than intensity. Tactics can swing with one substitution. A quick goal can completely reshape the plan. That is why Arteta’s warning is important: Arsenal cannot assume anything. They must earn everything.

If Arsenal approach the match with full focus, strong structure, and smart decision-making, they will give themselves the best chance to win. If they treat it like a fixture they “normally” control, Chelsea have enough quality and momentum to punish them.