Chelsea have gained three consecutive matches for the primary time since March however are eleventh within the Premier League, 9 factors behind Arsenal; watch Chelsea vs Arsenal on Saturday, dwell on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm

Chelsea’s 4-1 thrashing of Burnley at Turf Moor earlier this month stands out for plenty of causes.

Firstly, it marked simply the second time in a 12 months that that they had earned three successive victories, coming because it did on the again of a Carabao Cup win over Brighton and three factors being claimed at Fulham.

The end result was additionally the primary time Chelsea had scored greater than three objectives in a aggressive match since a 6-0 thumping of Southampton in March 2022.

If any additional proof have been wanted of simply how dangerous the Blues had been for the previous 12 months, the success at Burnley additionally meant Chelsea went right into a mid-season worldwide break on the again of a win for the primary time in 19 months.

Being capable of spend the final week and a half enjoyable within the perception that their facet might have lastly turned a nook has been a uncommon luxurious for Chelsea supporters.

But are these outcomes proof that the west Londoners are getting again to the place they suppose they belong or just the product of beneficial fixtures? Moreover, is there a impolite awakening on the horizon when Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, dwell on Sky Sports?

Pochettino’s plain affect

Anybody watching Chelsea intently this season would have been capable of see the constructive impression Mauricio Pochettino has made since taking cost.

The outcomes – simply two wins from their first seven video games – might not have backed it up, however Pochettino’s Chelsea are simpler on the attention than both of Graham Potter or Frank Lampard’s sides.

Whereas Chelsea’s underlying numbers final season confirmed they have been nothing greater than a mid-table staff, the previous Tottenham boss has generated clear enhancements everywhere in the pitch.

Chelsea now rank seventh for anticipated objectives within the Premier League after coming twelfth final season, whereas they’re fourth for anticipated objectives conceded in comparison with eleventh within the earlier marketing campaign.

What is extra, Chelsea have gone from seventh to second for possessions gained within the attacking third per match, pointing to apparent enhancements of their potential to press the opposition.

But earlier than getting too carried away, it is essential to notice Pochettino continues to grapple with the difficulty that undermined Potter – Chelsea’s continued underperformance in entrance of aim in comparison with their anticipated output.

Last season, the Blues had the worst anticipated objectives differential within the Premier League, hitting the web 12.08 fewer occasions than they need to have accomplished.

That profligacy continues to be an issue, with solely Everton’s misfiring forwards outdoing Chelsea in that exact metric this season.

Pochettino will little question hope that routine win at Burnley was the second the floodgates lastly opened.

Fernandez is essential – however the place are the objectives?

The participant that maybe greatest represents the adjustments Pochettino has applied is Enzo Fernandez, the midfielder who shone as a No 8 when serving to Argentina to World Cup glory however then noticed himself changing Jorginho in entrance of the again 4 after becoming a member of Chelsea in January.

Fernandez solely confirmed glimpses of his high quality as Chelsea limped to the top of a dispiriting season however Pochettino was in no doubt of Fernandez’s ideal role when speaking to Sky Sports in August, firmly stating the 22-year-old “is a No 8”.

The wins over Fulham and Burnley coincided with Pochettino deciding on a three-player midfield, with Moises Caicedo because the pivot and Conor Gallagher and Fernandez on both facet.

The World Cup winner has shortly turn out to be key to Chelsea’s set-up, rating second for accomplished passes and third for final-third accomplished passes per 90 amongst all Premier League midfielders this season.

But, as with Pochettino’s staff, there may be nonetheless loads of room for enchancment – significantly in entrance of aim. Fernandez is but to attain in 26 Premier League video games, whereas he has simply two assists.

Extracting extra of his compatriot’s undoubted potential would go an extended option to serving to Pochettino maintain his facet’s enchancment.

Sterling embracing management position

The pivot to youth underneath Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali’s management has been so drastic that, at simply 28, Raheem Sterling is the third-oldest participant in Chelsea’s first staff.

The four-time Premier League winner seemed misplaced after becoming a member of Chelsea final season, at occasions chosen as a striker by Thomas Tuchel and a wing-back by Potter, with accidents additionally proscribing his progress.

But with Pochettino persistently asking him to play in his favoured position on the wing – and maybe spurred on by his ejection from the England squad – Sterling has attacked his second season at Stamford Bridge head on.

The former Manchester City ahead ranks above all his team-mates for objectives and profitable take-ons per 90 within the Premier League, whereas he additionally has the uncommon distinction of being a Chelsea ahead that’s outperforming his xG whole.

Sterling revealed throughout pre-season that he feels “great” after altering his weight loss program in a bid to shake off his damage troubles and the choice seems to be paying dividends as he seems to be to guide Chelsea’s youthful dressing room by instance.

Arsenal present acid take a look at

As with most issues, there are two methods of taking a look at Chelsea’s progress throughout the first few months of Pochettino’s reign.

Fernandez and Sterling have been spectacular, a first-choice XI is starting to emerge and the staff are on the up throughout quite a lot of metrics – however eight video games represents a small pattern measurement.

For any Chelsea supporters getting carried away after league wins over Fulham and Burnley, it is value noting Opta ranks the Blues’ fixture checklist to be the third-easiest up to now this season – but they’re nonetheless within the backside half of the desk.

Whether Chelsea’s enchancment is sustainable will turn out to be clear between now and Christmas, with matches in opposition to Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle and Manchester United all contributing to a schedule that Opta charges because the fourth-toughest throughout that interval.

The Gunners are first up and can arrive in west London having gained seven of their final eight matches in opposition to Chelsea. In truth, having not claimed victory at Stamford Bridge in almost 10 years, Arsenal have now gained on their final three visits.

Beating up the Premier League’s weakest sides is all effectively and good – however ending Arsenal’s dominance of their rivalry will present the proof that’s wanted to take Chelsea’s resurgence significantly.

Watch Chelsea vs Arsenal on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm.