Arsenal boss Arteta relishing first Premier League duel with Chelsea's Alonso

Sept 4 : Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is relishing the prospect of facing long-time friend Xabi Alonso in the Premier League for the first time when the defending champions host Chelsea on Sunday.Both sides have made perfect starts to the season, with Arsenal and Chelsea both taking six points from their opening two matches.Arteta and Alonso, both 44, grew up together in Spain's Basque Country and have remained close throughout their playing and coaching careers.The pair first faced each other as managers in a friendly in 2024 when Alonso was in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, but Sunday's encounter will be their first meeting in England's top flight. "I am really happy for him. It's incredible because obviously we have the history we have together," Arteta told reporters on Friday."To be faci