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The least productive approach for the Blues to respond to their demolition of the Spanish giants would be to believe the buzz. The challenge is that sentiments in the sport shift from one pole to another, as the individuals managing things at the club have swiftly come to appreciate.

They have encountered plenty of mockery for their different strategy since buying the team from their former proprietor three years ago, so maybe they are justified to be a little sceptical now that the team are being commended for their player acquisition strategy and hyped as prospective league challengers before facing their London rivals on Sunday.

Contrary to common perception, this is not a board that gets swept up easily. The initial turmoil has calmed – the Blues have had multiple permanent coaches since their acquisition by the current owners and the investment group – and the goal of constructing a long-lasting future-oriented project is inconsistent with panicking to one disappointing result, one solid streak of performances or even one resounding win over Barcelona in the Europe.

The philosophy has not changed since the beginning of the season: remain modest. It is important remembering that there was plenty of negative talk from outsiders when the Blues lost to Manchester United and Brighton at the conclusion of September. Was anyone discussing about a league bid then? Or, indeed, after Chelsea let slip a single-goal cushion and were beaten at their own ground to the Championship side last month? The sentiment was contrasting. Cool thinking were essential; the message from the top was that the manager and his squad had to have faith in themselves after the setback by Albion.

Now, with draining on the road fixtures against Leeds and Bournemouth to arrive next week, the focus is on ensuring the team are not tricked into satisfaction after that impressive beating of the Spanish side.

Perhaps that unflappable atmosphere will aid the least experienced team in the English football remain even-keeled. the coach, composed to a fault in his press engagements, plays into the strategy. The team were in a comparable position this time last year but the head coach frequently insisted they were not in the title race. He believed it was too soon in their development. Maresca encountered scrutiny when the club fell away and concluded in a struggle for continental placement – had he provided the players an excuse? – but he was in his first season as a Premier League manager. He and his players had to make mistakes and develop.

It is a intentional tactic. The head coach is not given to making bold declarations, often stating he is looking ahead no further than the following match. His position has not been changed by Chelsea rising to second after a run of successes from their previous half-dozen fixtures. It will almost certainly not even alter dramatically if they beat their rivals and cut their opponents’ lead to several points.

“Whether we triumph, whether we do not win, I believe it’s too early,” the Italian said on Friday. “We are still in the eleventh month. It’s incredibly crucial in February, the third month, where we are. From there we’ll determine if we can attain something important.”

That was about as approximate as it gets to an acknowledgment that, indeed, it is achievable for the Blues to challenge the Gunners. Yet there is no pressure on Maresca to secure the title this term. The manager has targets to reach but Chelsea will not assess his performance until the following summer. They have zero intention to be compelled into dismissing a manager during a season again. Chelsea seek consistency and are only just starting out.

They have deals in order to sign more promising talents in the transfer windows of the coming years and subsequent seasons. They were questioned for moving on the winger to Arsenal last off-season but did so because moving an established top-flight attacker had to be completed to make space for the arriving the prodigy.

The youngster is learning. The 18-year-old attacker was outstanding against the opposition, scoring a spectacular strike, but the Brazilian prodigy is doubtful to line up against Arsenal. His minutes is being carefully handled by Maresca. The club had a interrupted summer preparation after going all the way in last season’s global tournament. The manager’s frequent squad rotation is an indication of a boss planning about long-term as well as the present.

For all the restraint, though, it is also accurate that the Blues are completely equipped of defeating Arsenal. the playmaker is returned after a lengthy absence and ready to start. the forward is in fine condition in offence, and Moisés Caicedo and the playmaker will compete with Arsenal’s midfield strength.

Maresca said overcoming PSG in that Club World Cup showpiece had helped his team’s mentality. He appreciates that they are spreading the scoring around more than the previous term, when there was too much leaning on Palmer. A talented reserves will also provide him a variety of options to test Arsenal’s backline power.

Can it be sufficient? Maybe not at this stage. Chelsea sometimes are missing a clinical edge and the centre-back’s absence with a extended {