Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the first real major Premier League heavyweight clash of the new campaign – in an early contender for game of the season.
Both London rivals produced a Sunday afternoon treat which rubberstamped Arsenal’s credentials as the team to beat – and Chelsea’s as worthy challengers for the top honours.
A pulsating game started right from the off as Morgan Rogers – sought after by Arsenal this summer – crashed new club Chelsea ahead after just 77 seconds. That poked the bear of the champions – who produced a response.
After Riccardo Calafiori saw a goal disallowed for offside, former Blue Kai Havertz got his fourth goal against his old club for Arsenal with a strike from the edge of the box.
But despite a dominant Arsenal display, Chelsea still went inches away from a second as Rogers curled wide and Pedro Neto hit the post.
Arsenal turned the tide after the break as Martin Odegaard scored his second goal of the season via a slick team move – which was a carbon copy of the attack that saw him score in the Community Shield against Man City.
And despite some half chances for Chelsea, it was Arsenal who looked more likely to add to their tally – as Emiliano Martinez smartly kept out Bukayo Saka and Ezri Konsa in quick succession. That was until Estevao produced an 89th-minute curler – which needed tipping over by David Raya.
The result means Arsenal stay perfect – level with Manchester City after three games.
Afrer the match Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher said:
“I think the worrying thing for everybody else already is that William Saliba, – who is genuinely world-class and arguably probably the best centre-back in world football – has not played a minute of football so far this season. And it doesn’t look like anyone can score against them.
“There is a massive gulf between both teams – their XIs and the squads. It will take Chelsea a while to get to that level, if they can get there. But I thought Arsenal were fantastic today.
“We don’t normally see Arsenal in these games, end-to-end, because they very rarely go behind. They’re so strong defensively they don’t need to get involved in those games.
“They still didn’t look like they were going to give too much away, even though they were bombing forwards and putting so many bodies in the opposition box.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports:
“I think it’s an indication for us of how capable we are to perform at an even higher level than last season.
“And it depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humility, and continue every day to try to find a better version of myself and the team. We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer, and this is the ambition of the team.
“I think it was an exceptional performance. I think I enjoyed every minute of it from the beginning to the end, and the beginning was tough, but I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way.
“The conviction, the determination, the quality of which I intend to have them constantly, it was beautiful.
“It was a fascinating game, I think, for the spectator as well, and I think we deserved to win the game, which I’m really pleased with, obviously.”
Chsea manager Xabi Alonso said:
“My priority is to win games. Normally you win games when you don’t concede many goals. It’s something we need to address. We need to be tighter, more clinical, more balanced but this takes time.
“We wanted to compete, win here. We knew we were not that far but it went their way. We could have scored for 2-1 and you never know what happens.
“The result is the result; I can’t argue against that. But we need to take it, not happy. It hurts. Disappointed for sure. This is our first defeat.
“I want to compete in the best possible way to win. Today we didn’t want to sit deep from the first minute. We want to be active, protagonists in the pressing. We have done many right things. We need to make it better, learn from them.
“When you play at the top level, we want to be as efficient in all the phases of the game. But this is where we are. It’s game three or four for us in a new phase starting with Chelsea. I’m pleased with the spirit and attitude of the players. They worked hard.”
Sky Sportss
