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The worst approach for Chelsea to respond to their thrashing of the Spanish giants would be to believe the excitement. The challenge is that sentiments in the sport shift from one extreme to another, as the figures managing things at Chelsea have rapidly come to realize.

They have faced plenty of ridicule for their alternative method since taking over the team from their former proprietor three years ago, so possibly they are deserving to be a little sceptical now that the Blues are being praised for their recruitment policy and talked up as potential championship contenders before facing the Gunners on Sunday.

Contrary to public perception, this is not a management that becomes swept up readily. The initial disorder has calmed – Chelsea have had several long-term head coaches since their purchase by Todd Boehly and the investment group – and the aim of constructing a enduring forward-looking initiative is at odds with overreacting to one poor performance, one good streak of results or even one convincing victory over the Catalan club in the Europe.

The message has not changed since the outset of the term: keep grounded. It is worth remembering that there was plenty of sceptical noise from outsiders when the team were defeated to Manchester United and Brighton at the close of September. Was any pundit discussing about a title bid then? Or, actually, after Chelsea blew a 1-0 cushion and were beaten at home to Sunderland last month? The sentiment was different. Cool minds were required; the message from leadership was that the head coach and his team had to trust themselves after the defeat by Brighton.

Now, with draining travel fixtures against Leeds and the Cherries to follow next week, the focus is on guaranteeing the Blues are not tricked into overconfidence after that stunning beating of Barcelona.

Possibly that unflappable vibe will assist the most youthful side in the English football stay level. the Italian, measured to a fault in his public interactions, fits the approach. The team were in a comparable position this time last year but the manager repeatedly insisted they were not in the title hunt. He thought it was too early in their evolution. The coach faced backlash when Chelsea dropped off and concluded in a fight for European qualification – had he offered the players an escape route? – but he was in his debut year as a top-flight coach. He and his players had to learn and grow.

It is a conscious tactic. Maresca is not prone to making brave statements, often stating he is focusing no more than the next match. His stance has not been shifted by the team rising to runner-up after five wins from their previous six games. It will almost certainly not even shift dramatically if they defeat the Gunners and narrow their opponents’ lead to a few points.

“If we triumph, whether we do not win, I feel it’s too soon,” Maresca said on Friday. “We are still in autumn. It’s incredibly significant in February, the third month, where we are. From there we’ll determine if we can attain something important.”

That was about as near as it gets to an concession that, indeed, it is feasible for the side to challenge Arsenal. Yet there is no pressure on the manager to claim the league this campaign. The manager has objectives to achieve but Chelsea will not assess his contributions until the following summer. They have no intention to be compelled into sacking a coach during a campaign again. The Blues want stability and are only just starting out.

They have deals in order to sign more youngsters in the off-seasons of 2026 and 2027. They were scrutinised for transferring the attacker to their rivals last off-season but did so because releasing an proven Premier League player had to be completed to free up a spot for the arriving Estêvão Willian.

The winger is learning. The 18-year-old forward was brilliant against Barça, finding the back of the net with a breathtaking goal, but the Brazilian talent is doubtful to start against Arsenal. His minutes is being prudently managed by the manager. The side had a disrupted warm-up period after making it all the way in last previous international competition. The manager’s heavy squad rotation is an indication of a manager planning about long-term as well as short-term.

For all the moderation, though, it is also true that the Blues are perfectly capable of defeating their rivals. the playmaker is back after an extended absence and set to play. the winger is in excellent condition in offence, and the midfielder and Enzo Fernández will match Arsenal’s centre quality.

The head coach said defeating Paris Saint-Germain in that international competition showpiece had benefited his team’s mindset. He appreciates that they are sharing the scoring around to a greater extent than last campaign, when there was too much dependence on Palmer. A strong reserves will also offer him a variety of options to confront their rivals’ backline power.

Will it be sufficient? Possibly not yet. The side occasionally do not have a clinical edge and Levi Colwill’s injury with a extended {