Arsenal come from behind to beat Chelsea and maintain perfect Premier League start

Arsenal preserved their perfect start to the new Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead after only 77 seconds, but Kai Havertz equalised against his former club before Martin Ødegaard completed Arsenal’s comeback five minutes after half-time.

Chelsea’s opener came from a long free-kick delivered by Reece James. The ball caused confusion inside the Arsenal penalty area before falling to Rogers on the edge of the box, where he adjusted his position and volleyed past David Raya.

Arsenal attempted to respond through a set-piece of their own. Ødegaard’s low delivery created a scramble in the area, although the move was brought to a halt after Gabriel caught Emiliano Martinez in the head.

The hosts thought they had levelled after 12 minutes when Riccardo Calafiori converted a Declan Rice free-kick. Martinez had produced an excellent save to deny Gabriel, reacting quickly after Ezri Konsa’s effort had struck the post, but Calafiori’s follow-up was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Martinez then dealt comfortably with a header from Havertz, who had been picked out by a deep, inviting cross from Ødegaard. The Chelsea goalkeeper was tested again when Bukayo Saka raced on to a loose ball and drove a right-footed effort towards the near post from a tight angle.

Raya was also required to remain alert, keeping out Cole Palmer after Chelsea broke forward, as an entertaining opening period continued to swing from one end of the pitch to the other.

Arsenal finally found their equaliser in impressive fashion. Havertz collected Rice’s pass on the right before cutting inside and sending a low shot from 18 yards beyond Martinez at the near post.

Rogers nearly restored Chelsea’s advantage before the half-hour mark, but his attempt from the left drifted beyond the far post. Joao Pedro then tried to catch Raya out from 40 yards, with the Arsenal goalkeeper off his line, although the effort missed the target by some distance.

The final significant moment of a lively first half saw Pedro Neto strike the post.

Neither side made a change at the interval, and Arsenal moved in front shortly after the restart. Havertz deceived the Chelsea defence by allowing a clever pass from Christos Tzolis to run through to Ødegaard, who finished brilliantly past Martinez.

Chelsea responded with a spell of possession and created an opening when Josh Acheampong sent a cross into the area, but Raya claimed it securely.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso made a double substitution after an hour, bringing on Pep Chavarria and Malo Gusto for Jorrel Hato and Romeo Lavia. Gusto later fired over after being set up by the impressive Neto, while Palmer forced another save from Raya.

Mikel Arteta reacted to the pressure by introducing Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi for Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Martinez then prevented Saka from extending Arsenal’s lead, saving a first-time shot from the edge of the area that was travelling towards the far post.

Chelsea continued to threaten, but Arsenal also survived a major scare when Gabriel headed a corner clear from his own goal line with 14 minutes remaining.

Arteta made further changes by sending on Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino for Havertz and Ødegaard, while Chelsea introduced Estevao in place of Joao Pedro.

Palmer pulled a half-chance wide from a narrow angle as Arsenal increasingly adopted a deep defensive shape.

Raya made an outstanding one-handed save with a minute of normal time remaining to prevent Estevao from powerfully scoring an equaliser. Chelsea could not find a way through during the four minutes of added time, leaving Arsenal with nine points and second place in the Premier League standings.

Alonso’s Chelsea side finished the evening fourth with six points from their opening three matches.