Arsenal fought back from an early setback to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, preserving their perfect start to the Premier League season and underlining their title credentials.
Chelsea struck after only 77 seconds when Morgan Rogers, who had been pursued by Arsenal during the summer, lashed into the corner from the edge of the area after a free-kick had been cleared into his path.
The visitors’ lead was short-lived as Arsenal responded with sustained pressure. Riccardo Calafiori appeared to have equalised after a goalmouth scramble, but the effort was ruled out following a VAR review for offside in the build-up.
Kai Havertz then levelled in the 25th minute against his former club, driving into the near corner from just outside the box. It was the German’s fourth goal against Chelsea since joining Arsenal.
Chelsea remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Rogers went close to adding a second when his curling effort drifted wide, before Pedro Neto struck the post in first-half stoppage time.
Arsenal took control shortly after the interval. Christos Tzolis’ pass found Martin Odegaard, with Havertz’s clever dummy opening the space for the captain to fire home in the 50th minute.
The goal echoed the move that produced Odegaard’s earlier strike in the Community Shield against Manchester City and gave Arsenal the lead for the first time.
Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez kept his side in contention with impressive saves from Bukayo Saka and Ezri Konsa, denying Arsenal a third goal in quick succession. Neto also sent a promising effort over the crossbar after being set up by the former Arsenal target.
There was late drama at both ends. David Raya produced a fine save to tip Estevao’s 89th-minute curler over the bar, while Martinez had earlier made a fingertip stop to prevent Saka from putting the result beyond doubt and then kept out Konsa’s header on the goal-line.
The victory leaves Arsenal level with Manchester City at the top of the table after three matches. Chelsea leave north London beaten but having shown enough in an absorbing contest to suggest they will remain in the title race.
