Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea counterpart Xabi Alonso will take their lifelong friendship into the dugout on Sunday when the Premier League champions host their London rivals at the Emirates Stadium.
The pair grew up in San Sebastián and played together for local youth side Antiguoko, forming a close bond that has endured through their playing careers and into management. Their relationship will briefly take a back seat when Arsenal and Chelsea meet at 3.30pm.
Arteta has spoken about the unusual path that has taken two childhood friends to the touchline at leading English clubs. Both men went on to play in the Premier League before establishing themselves as coaches at the highest level.
Alonso began his tenure as Chelsea manager with three victories in all competitions, including two Premier League wins, while Arsenal opened their title defence with victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa.
The two managers were among four nominees for the Premier League’s August Manager of the Month award, underlining the strong starts made by both clubs before their first meeting of the campaign.
Sunday’s fixture will therefore be more than a meeting between two of London’s biggest clubs. It will also mark the latest chapter in a friendship that began in childhood, with Arteta and Alonso now responsible for leading opposing teams in one of the Premier League’s headline contests.
