Formidable Arsenal already look like they have too much for the rest - nobody can match their completeness as they beat Xabi Alonso's resurgent Chelsea to lay down an early marker, writes OLIVER HOLT

They are childhood friends from San Sebastian, who played football on Playa de la Concha, and received eclectic football educations that were influenced by the minds of men like Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola and Rafa Benitez.

They were both fine, cultured midfielders, thinkers who were born to be distinguished coaches. They met as coaches for the first time on Sunday, dressed identically in the style of the fashionable manager, short-sleeved shirts, dark slacks and pumps with dashes of white.

But they are not in Basque Country any more. English football has them now. And on Sunday afternoon, they were swallowed up by its passions and its glories. The managers of Arsenal and Chelsea masterminded an absolute barn-burner of a game, a contest full of sound and fury and, sometimes, footballing beauty that was a credit to both of them.

At the end of the breathlessness, Arsenal ran out 2-1 winners and even at this early stage of the season, it felt significant. Chelsea had come here as pretenders to Arsenal’s throne after a swashbuckling start to their campaign but even though they did themselves credit, they could not quite keep pace with the champions.

Xabi Alonso’s side still produced some stunning attacking football and broke with lightning speed and skill. This result suggested that they will improve dramatically on their 10th-place finish last season but that they still have to take another step forward to be a match for Arteta’s side.

This Chelsea has many attributes but it cannot quite match Arsenal’s completeness. Arsenal are an eight or nine out of 10 everywhere on the field. And their substitutes are on the same level. Chelsea have weaknesses in defence and midfield that were their undoing at the Emirates and will be again. They are, at least, on an upward trajectory again.