Arteta says Arsenal can reach new level after Chelsea win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his side showed they can perform at an even higher level than last season’s title-winning model after their impressive 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea on Sunday.

Chelsea took the lead through Morgan Rogers in the second minute, but Arsenal responded with goals from Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.

The result was Arsenal’s third win from three matches. After a straightforward victory over promoted Coventry City and a narrow 1-0 success at Aston Villa, the win against Chelsea represented their most convincing performance so far.

“I think it was an exceptional performance. I enjoyed every minute of it from the beginning to the end, and the beginning was tough,” Arteta told reporters.

“I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way. The conviction, the determination, the quality of which I intend to have constantly, it was beautiful.

“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.”

Arsenal did not significantly strengthen their attacking options during a relatively quiet transfer window. Brazilian forwards Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, along with Leandro Trossard, departed the club.

However, Havertz, Odegaard and Bukayo Saka all impressed against Chelsea, while new signing Christos Tzolis produced several eye-catching moments from the wing.

Odegaard was particularly influential as he continued his return to his best form following the injury problems that disrupted his previous season.

“Odegaard has a point to prove from last season after missing so much football,” Arteta said.

“When that happens, Kai the same, Bukayo the same, we miss so many attacking players last season for long, long periods.

“I don’t know how many times they’ve played together those two in the last year or so, but probably not much, and when you start to feel the chemistry they have between them and what they can produce, it’s great.”

Arsenal are now one of only two teams with a 100% record in the Premier League, alongside Manchester City.

For Chelsea, the defeat was a setback under new manager Xabi Alonso. Their promising beginning under the Spaniard ended with their first dropped points, while defensive concerns were exposed again.

Chelsea have conceded seven goals in their opening three matches. Although they continue to look dangerous in attack, Alonso’s team still have work to do to improve at the other end of the pitch.

“We want to start having clean sheets, they will come,” Alonso said.

“The players are committed to working hard, to knowing that we’re on the way to compete in each game.

“Not happy that we couldn’t get anything, but we need to keep calm and carry on.”