Arsenal brings Chelsea's perfect start to an end
Martin Odegaard scored the winner as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to maintain its perfect start to the Premier League season and end that of its London rival.
Xabi Alonso's visitor had made a flying start as Morgan Rogers – a former Arsenal transfer target – put it in front after 77 seconds, though ex-Blues forward Kai Havertz got the Gunners level in the 25th minute.
Odegaard – who also struck in Arsenal's season-opening win over Coventry City – finished off a flowing move early in the second half, with the reigning champions now one of just two teams with a 100 percent record, alongside Manchester City.
It was Chelsea who struck first to stun the Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal struggled to clear its lines after a deep free-kick from Reece James. Jorrel Hato's knock-down found Rogers, whose first touch of the game was a right-footed volley that trickled past David Raya.
Arsenal responded positively, though, and Emiliano Martinez had to cover his near post under pressure from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes, both of whom were involved when Arsenal had a potential 12th-minute equaliser disallowed.
After Joao Pedro missed his clearance from a Declan Rice set-piece, Gabriel's shot was touched onto the post by Martinez, and though Ezri Konsa kept the attack alive for Calafiori to tap home, a VAR review led to the former Aston Villa defender being ruled offside.
The Gunners kept up the pressure, however, and Havertz levelled when he sauntered inside and beat Martinez with a clever reverse finish into the near corner.
But it was Chelsea that could have gone into half-time with the lead, as Rogers's shot faded away from Raya's left post and Pedro Neto smacked the base of the other upright, after racing down the left channel and skipping past Gabriel.
Arsenal went in front in the 50th minute, with Havertz involved once again. He spotted Odegaard's run into the Chelsea area and smartly dummied Christos Tzolis' pass for the Norwegian, who lashed beyond the helpless Martinez.
Malo Gusto skewed over the crossbar as Chelsea sought a route back into the contest, though Bukayo Saka almost ended their comeback hopes when his curler was turned wide by Martinez.
Chelsea had one last chance to preserve its unbeaten start under Alonso in the 89th minute, and though Estevao's attempt looked destined to bend into the top-left corner, Raya flew across his line to make a heroic save.
Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal FC
