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The least productive way for Chelsea to respond to their demolition of the Spanish giants would be to succumb to the buzz. The problem is that sentiments in the sport fluctuate from one end to another, as the figures managing things at the club have swiftly come to appreciate.

They have faced plenty of mockery for their unconventional strategy since buying the club from Roman Abramovich three years ago, so maybe they are justified to be a little sceptical now that the Blues are being applauded for their player acquisition plan and talked up as possible championship contenders before hosting their London rivals on Sunday.

Contrary to public perception, this is not a management that grows overexcited readily. The early turmoil has calmed – the club have had four full-time head coaches since their takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital – and the objective of building a sustainable forward-looking plan is at odds with overreacting to one disappointing outcome, one good sequence of performances or even one thumping victory over the Catalan club in the continental competition.

The message has not changed since the outset of the campaign: remain modest. It is worth recalling that there was plenty of critical talk from outsiders when the team lost to Manchester United and Brighton at the conclusion of September. Was any pundit talking about a league bid then? Or, actually, after Chelsea blew a one-goal cushion and fell at home to the Championship side last month? The atmosphere was contrasting. Cool minds were required; the message from leadership was that the manager and his squad had to trust themselves after the setback by Albion.

Now, with tough travel fixtures against Leeds and the Cherries to arrive next week, the focus is on guaranteeing the team are not fooled into overconfidence after that impressive beating of Barcelona.

Maybe that stoic vibe will aid the most youthful team in the Premier League stay level. the Italian, calm to a fault in his press dealings, aligns with the strategy. The Blues were in a analogous place this time last year but the Italian consistently stated they were not in the league hunt. He believed it was too early in their growth. The coach encountered criticism when the side dropped off and ended up in a fight for Champions League qualification – had he provided the squad an excuse? – but he was in his first season as a top-flight boss. He and his players had to experience setbacks and progress.

It is a deliberate approach. The head coach is not given to making audacious declarations, often remarking he is looking ahead no more than the upcoming game. His stance has not been changed by Chelsea rising to number two after several successes from their last multiple matches. It will probably not even shift dramatically if they overcome the Gunners and reduce their competitors’ gap to a few points.

“Whether we triumph, if we don’t come out on top, I believe it’s too soon,” the Italian said on Friday. “We are still in autumn. It’s incredibly important in the second month, the third month, where we are. From there we’ll assess if we can attain something meaningful.”

That was about as near as it gets to an acknowledgment that, yes, it is feasible for the Blues to challenge their opponents. Yet there is no pressure on the head coach to win the league this season. The coach has objectives to hit but the leadership will not assess his contributions until this summer. They have absolutely no wish to be forced into sacking a manager during a term again. Chelsea seek continuity and are only just starting out.

They have arrangements in order to recruit more youth in the transfer windows of 2026 and 2027. They were scrutinised for selling the attacker to their rivals last window but did so because moving an experienced top-flight talent had to be completed to make space for the new Estêvão Willian.

The youngster is learning. The teenager winger was exceptional against Barça, scoring a stunning goal, but the South American starlet is not expected to start against Arsenal. His workload is being carefully managed by the coach. The club had a disrupted pre-season after progressing all the way in last season’s global tournament. The manager’s heavy changes is an indication of a manager thinking about tomorrow as well as short-term.

For all the restraint, though, it is also true that the team are absolutely equipped of defeating Arsenal. the playmaker is available after two months absence and set to feature. the forward is in fine condition in offence, and Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández will match the Gunners’ engine room quality.

The manager said defeating PSG in that Club World Cup showpiece had aided his side’s mindset. He values that they are sharing the goals around to a greater extent than the prior term, when there was too much reliance on the star. A strong reserves will also offer him a range of ways to challenge their rivals’ defensive power.

Will it be enough? Maybe not now. Chelsea occasionally lack a deadly finish and the centre-back’s injury with a long-term {