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The worst manner for the Blues to answer to their thrashing of Barça would be to succumb to the excitement. The problem is that emotions in soccer fluctuate from one extreme to another, as the people overseeing things at Stamford Bridge have swiftly come to realize.

They have endured plenty of criticism for their alternative strategy since acquiring the club from the previous owner three years ago, so maybe they are entitled to be a little wary now that the Blues are being commended for their recruitment plan and talked up as possible championship contenders before facing the Gunners on Sunday.

Contrary to public view, this is not a board that gets overexcited quickly. The early disorder has settled – Chelsea have had multiple long-term head coaches since their acquisition by the current owners and their partners – and the objective of developing a sustainable forward-looking initiative is inconsistent with panicking to one poor result, one solid run of results or even one convincing victory over Barcelona in the Champions League.

The philosophy has not shifted since the start of the term: remain modest. It is important bearing in mind that there was plenty of sceptical talk from outside when the team lost to Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at the conclusion of September. Was anybody discussing about a championship bid then? Or, actually, after the club let slip a 1-0 advantage and were beaten at Stamford Bridge to Sunderland last month? The sentiment was distinct. Calm thinking were necessary; the guidance from leadership was that Enzo Maresca and his players had to believe themselves after the setback by Albion.

Now, with demanding travel games against the Whites and the Cherries to come next week, the attention is on making sure the Blues are not tricked into overconfidence after that remarkable dismissal of Barça.

Maybe that unflappable feel will aid the most youthful side in the Premier League remain balanced. the Italian, measured to a degree in his media dealings, fits the plan. The team were in a analogous place this time last year but the head coach repeatedly stated they were not in the championship race. He felt it was too soon in their growth. The Italian received scrutiny when the side fell away and ended up in a fight for continental qualification – had he offered the squad an excuse? – but he was in his first year as a Premier League coach. He and his team had to experience setbacks and progress.

It is a deliberate strategy. The manager is not given to making audacious pronouncements, often remarking he is planning no further than the upcoming fixture. His attitude has not been altered by Chelsea moving up to second after five successes from their previous six games. It will likely not even change radically if they defeat Arsenal and cut their competitors’ lead to a few points.

“If we win, if we fail to come out on top, I believe it’s too premature,” the coach said on Friday. “We are still in autumn. It’s extremely significant in February, March, where we are. From there we’ll assess if we can achieve something meaningful.”

That was about as approximate as it gets to an concession that, yes, it is achievable for the side to disrupt Arsenal. Yet there is no burden on Maresca to claim the league this term. The 45-year-old has targets to reach but the club will not review his work until the following summer. They have zero desire to be pushed into dismissing a manager during a term again. The Blues want stability and are only just getting going.

They have agreements in position to recruit more promising talents in the transfer windows of the coming years and 2027. They were questioned for moving on the winger to the Gunners last window but did so because moving an experienced top-flight talent had to be executed to free up a spot for the new the prodigy.

Estêvão is learning. The 18-year-old attacker was brilliant against Barcelona, netting a spectacular goal, but the young talent is unlikely to line up against the Gunners. His playing time is being prudently handled by the manager. Chelsea had a disrupted warm-up period after progressing all the way in last summer’s international competition. The manager’s frequent changes is evidence of a manager planning about tomorrow as well as the present.

For all the caution, though, it is also accurate that the Blues are absolutely able of defeating Arsenal. Cole Palmer is returned after an extended absence and set to feature. Pedro Neto is in fine form in attack, and the enforcer and Enzo Fernández will match the Gunners’ midfield strength.

The manager said beating PSG in that international competition final had benefited his team’s mindset. He likes that they are sharing the finishing around more evenly than the previous term, when there was too much leaning on Palmer. A deep reserves will also provide him a range of methods to confront their rivals’ defensive power.

Can it be sufficient? Maybe not at this stage. The side at times are missing a deadly edge and the centre-back’s unavailability with a prolonged {