+34
Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scoring either side of half-time. The result ended Chelsea's unbeaten start and kept Arsenal perfect in their Premier League title defence.
Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, ending their London rivals' unbeaten start and making it three wins from three in the Premier League title defence.
Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead after 77 seconds, but Kai Havertz equalised in the 25th minute and Martin Odegaard scored the decisive goal in the 50th. The first heavyweight encounter of the season was framed as an immovable object against an irresistible force. Chelsea had been fun and free-scoring under Xabi Alonso, but Arsenal's percussive power with the ball proved more important.
Chelsea scored very early in Alonso's first two league matches, against Fulham and Brighton, and they did the same here. Alonso lined up with three central defenders, a choice that recalled Antonio Conte's switch around a decade earlier after Chelsea trailed Arsenal 3-0 at half-time. That time, the change powered Chelsea towards the title. Rogers's goal after 77 seconds was the first Arsenal had conceded this season.
Arsenal's rock-solid defence had allowed only one shot on target in their first two games. Reece James's free-kick was not cleared by Declan Rice or Odegaard. Jorrel Hato outjumped Odegaard, and the ball broke for Rogers, whose low volley was driven into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. David Raya may have done better.
Rogers was a significant summer target for Arsenal, who offered £80m but refused to go higher. Chelsea paid Aston Villa £117m (€136.21m) to sign him, making the England midfielder the most expensive British player in history. He made the perfect start against the club that had wanted him. Arsenal's response was ferocious.
The Emirates sounded like a bear-pit as every collision drew a roar from the home crowd. Arsenal created a staggering number of openings before the equaliser and forced Chelsea to put their bodies on the line. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, formerly of Arsenal and signed from Aston Villa to replace Robert Sanchez, made several fine saves.
He threw himself into a thicket of legs to keep out a low Odegaard free-kick, taking a boot to the head from Gabriel Magalhaes, and saved brilliantly from Gabriel after Joao Pedro failed to clear a Declan Rice free-kick. On the rebound, Ezri Konsa hit the post and Riccardo Calafiori turned in the loose ball, but Konsa was offside and the goal was disallowed.
Martinez also denied Bukayo Saka, Wesley Fofana made a big block, and Jorrel Hato leapt into a saving block against Odegaard. The equaliser arrived in the 25th minute. Kai Havertz, facing his former club, was allowed to drift from the right flank to the edge of the area unchecked by Jorrel Hato. His low shot went through Maxence Lacroix's legs and beat Martinez inside the near post.
It was a soft concession and exposed the vulnerabilities in Chelsea's three-man defence, which had already conceded five times in their first two league games under Alonso. Martinez's weak attempted save at the near post was not a significant improvement on the error-prone performances he had replaced. Chelsea had their moments before the interval. Pedro Neto, played in by Joao Pedro, cut inside and steered a low shot against the far post.
Morgan Rogers also curled just past the far post. Arsenal cleared their heads for the second half and took the lead in the 50th minute. Martin Odegaard started and finished a superb move, scoring from ten yards. The key was a stunning dummy from Havertz, who let Christos Tzolis's low pass run through and froze Wesley Fofana.
Christos Tzolis, the Greek winger who has impressed since moving from Club Brugge, delivered the low ball from the left. Tzolis was very polished throughout, and Odegaard kept his composure to slot home. Rogers's angry clash with Declan Rice prompted Arsenal fans to chant 'you should have signed for a big club'.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser, but Malo Gusto blazed over from a good position and substitute Estevao Willian forced David Raya into a fine tip-over with an 89th-minute drive. Saka forced Martinez into another fine save after a lovely Havertz touch, and Martinez grabbed a loose ball from a corner while already on the ground. Rogers was halted by a thunderous Konsa slide challenge, Cole Palmer had half-chances, and Arsenal held firm.
Chelsea's attack, so potent in their previous wins over Fulham, Luton and Brighton, found far less space at the Emirates. Arsenal's defending was organised and their midfield pressed relentlessly. The defeat ended Xabi Alonso's three-game winning run in all competitions since he took charge in the close-season. It also showed how much work remains if Chelsea are to end a title drought dating back to 2017.
Arsenal continued their perfect start, sitting second behind Manchester City on goals scored. Mikel Arteta's side are chasing their first back-to-back titles since the 1930s, and this statement win reinforced their credentials. They have not lost to Chelsea in 11 previous meetings in all competitions, winning eight, and they never looked like letting this one slip. Arsenal did not deserve to drop points.
There was also a personal storyline between the dugouts. Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso have known each other since childhood in the Basque region of Spain, where they played on a gravel pitch in the Berio district of San Sebastian. This London derby was far more chaotic than those youthful kickabouts, and it was Arsenal who delivered the decisive blows.
The42_ie 
IrishTimes:Arsenal dominate after Chelsea’s early goal to lay down marker for the season aheadThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Arsenal Chelsea Premier League London Derby Title Contenders Morgan Rogers Kai Havertz Martin Odegaard Mikel Arteta Xabi Alonso Stamford Bridge Emirates Stadium Set-Piece Defence Attack Victory Defeat Goal Scorer Midfielder Goalkeeper Strategy Tactics Performance Player Ratings Match Highlights Football Soccer Sport Arsenal Vs Chelsea
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What does Katie McCabe bring to Chelsea after a decade at rivals Arsenal?New chapter for Ireland captain as WSL returns.
Read more »
Chelsea Held to Disappointing Draw by Aston Villa in WSL OpenerKatie McCabe's Chelsea debut ended in frustration as an 80th-minute own goal by Veerle Buurman canceled out Lauren James' early strike, earning Aston Villa their first-ever point against the Blues. Despite dominating possession and shots, Chelsea failed to convert their superiority into goals, while Villa's resilience and a key save by Akane Okuma secured a memorable draw.
Read more »
Morgan Rogers' €136m Chelsea move sets British record and highlights transfer divideMorgan Rogers moved from Aston Villa to Chelsea for a British record €136m after Arsenal stalled near €75m. The transfer exposes the Premier League's new trading model as Chelsea prepare to visit Arsenal.
Read more »