Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal recovered from an early setback to defeat Chelsea 2-1 in an entertaining London derby at Emirates Stadium, maintaining their perfect start to the season.
Chelsea made a stunning start when £117m summer signing Morgan Rogers scored after just two minutes. Arsenal failed to properly clear Reece James’ free-kick, allowing Rogers to volley home and become the first player to score against Mikel Arteta’s side this season.
The visitors, however, soon found themselves under sustained pressure. Emiliano Martinez saved from Bukayo Saka, while Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana produced important blocks as Arsenal searched for an equaliser.
It arrived in the 25th minute through former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz. The German found space and beat Martinez at his near post with a composed finish.
Chelsea responded strongly and threatened to regain the advantage. James tested David Raya from distance before Pedro Neto struck the post following an impressive individual run.
But Arsenal completed their comeback five minutes after half-time. Havertz cleverly allowed the ball to run through with a dummy, creating the opening for captain Martin Odegaard to beat Martinez. It was the Norwegian’s second Premier League goal in three matches.
Chelsea continued to push and almost rescued a point in the closing moments. Substitute Estevao appeared destined to equalise, only for Raya to produce an excellent fingertip save.
The victory extended Arsenal’s Premier League winning streak to eight matches stretching back to last season. After three games of the new campaign, they and Manchester City are the only sides with perfect records.
The result also provided an important early test of Arsenal’s title credentials. Their championship success last season was built heavily on defensive strength, making the second-minute concession unusual, but Arteta’s players responded with the resilience that helped deliver their first league title in 22 years.
Questions about Arsenal’s failure to recruit an elite forward during the transfer window remain, yet familiar figures Havertz and Odegaard supplied the decisive goals. New £55m signing Ezri Konsa also produced a solid performance on his first start before Arsenal turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Napoli.
For Chelsea, the performance offered encouragement but also highlighted a persistent problem. Xabi Alonso’s team, strengthened by close to £350m of summer spending, have now gone 18 Premier League matches without keeping a clean sheet.
Rogers continued his promising start with his second goal in three league appearances, but defensive weaknesses again proved costly.
Chelsea pushed the champions until the final moments, yet their fifth consecutive league defeat at Emirates Stadium showed Alonso still has significant work to do at the back.
