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The worst approach for Chelsea to react to their thrashing of the Spanish giants would be to buy into the excitement. The issue is that sentiments in soccer shift from one pole to another, as the people overseeing things at Chelsea have swiftly come to understand.

They have encountered plenty of mockery for their different approach since buying the club from their former proprietor three years ago, so perhaps they are entitled to be a little sceptical now that Chelsea are being praised for their recruitment plan and touted as potential championship contenders before hosting their London rivals on Sunday.

Opposite to public opinion, this is not a board that becomes swept up quickly. The starting disorder has subsided – Chelsea have had several permanent coaches since their takeover by the current owners and the investment group – and the objective of building a sustainable future-oriented project is incompatible with overreacting to one poor outcome, one solid sequence of results or even one convincing triumph over Barcelona in the Europe.

The philosophy has not changed since the start of the term: stay modest. It is important bearing in mind that there was plenty of sceptical noise from outside when Chelsea were defeated to United and Brighton & Hove Albion at the conclusion of September. Was anyone discussing about a championship push then? Or, in fact, after Chelsea blew a single-goal lead and were beaten at Stamford Bridge to Sunderland last month? The mood was distinct. Calm heads were essential; the instruction from the top was that the head coach and his players had to trust themselves after the defeat by the Seagulls.

Now, with tough on the road matches against the Whites and Bournemouth to follow next week, the attention is on making sure the team are not lulled into satisfaction after that remarkable defeat of Barça.

Maybe that stoic feel will assist the least experienced team in the English football remain level. Maresca, measured to a degree in his press dealings, plays into the approach. Chelsea were in a comparable situation this time last year but the Italian consistently insisted they were not in the league contest. He felt it was too premature in their evolution. Maresca encountered criticism when Chelsea dropped off and finished in a struggle for European entry – had he given the squad an escape route? – but he was in his maiden season as a Premier League boss. He and his team had to make mistakes and develop.

It is a deliberate approach. The head coach is not given to making audacious pronouncements, often remarking he is looking ahead no beyond than the following fixture. His position has not been altered by the Blues climbing to runner-up after several wins from their most recent six matches. It will almost certainly not even shift significantly if they defeat the Gunners and cut their rivals’ gap to three points.

“If we win, whether we don’t win, I believe it’s too early,” the coach said on Friday. “We are still in November. It’s extremely crucial in winter, the third month, where we are. From there we’ll assess if we can accomplish something meaningful.”

That was about as near as it gets to an concession that, indeed, it is achievable for the Blues to upset their opponents. Yet there is no burden on the head coach to secure the league this season. The manager has objectives to hit but Chelsea will not assess his contributions until next summer. They have absolutely no wish to be pushed into firing a manager during a season again. Chelsea want stability and are only just getting going.

They have deals in order to sign more promising talents in the off-seasons of the coming years and subsequent seasons. They were questioned for moving on Noni Madueke to Arsenal last off-season but did so because moving an experienced Premier League player had to be done to free up a spot for the new the Brazilian.

The winger is learning. The teenager winger was outstanding against Barcelona, finding the back of the net with a spectacular strike, but the South American talent is unlikely to line up against the Gunners. His workload is being carefully managed by the manager. Chelsea had a interrupted warm-up period after going all the way in last summer’s Club World Cup. The manager’s extensive changes is evidence of a coach planning about long-term as well as the present.

Despite the moderation, though, it is also accurate that the Blues are perfectly able of overcoming their rivals. the playmaker is available after two months lay-off and ready to play. the forward is in fine condition in attack, and the enforcer and the playmaker will match the Gunners’ midfield quality.

The manager said defeating Paris Saint-Germain in that international competition showpiece had helped his team’s mindset. He likes that they are spreading the scoring around more evenly than last campaign, when there was too much reliance on the attacker. A strong reserves will also provide him a range of ways to challenge Arsenal’s backline power.

Will it be sufficient? Maybe not yet. The Blues at times do not have a ruthless finish and the centre-back’s injury with a long-term {