Football Review | Arsenal 2 - 1 Chelsea

A fascinating and pulsating London derby

Reigning champions Arsenal came from behind to beat big-spending Chelsea 

Author | DJ

Stadium | Emirates Stadium

Pre match fireworks

Chelsea stunned the home fans by taking a second-minute lead through £117m summer signing Morgan Rogers' volley after the Gunners failed to clear Reece James' free-kick.

That was the first goal Mikel Arteta's side have conceded this season.

More defensive concerns for Chelsea

Chelsea had not kept a clean sheet in their previous 18 Premier League games and Xabi Alonso's side were forced to withstand wave after wave of Arsenal pressure.

Recent signing Emiliano Martinez denied Bukayo Saka, while Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana each made crucial blocks before the Gunners levelled in the 25th-minute after former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz beat Martinez at his near post with a well-placed finish.

In a high-quality match, Chelsea, who spent close to £350m in the summer transfer window, came within a whisker of retaking the lead.

How Arsenal eventually came out on top

After captain James had forced David Raya into a save from outside the box, Pedro Neto hit the post after a wonderful solo run before Martin Odegaard settled it in the 50th minute.

The Arsenal captain beat Martinez after Havertz's clever dummy, the Norwegian's second goal in three Premier League games.

Odegaard was outstanding for Arsenal

Chelsea substitute Estevao thought he had equalised right at the end of the game but Raya produced a brilliant finger-tip save as the Blues lost for the fifth straight league game at Emirates Stadium.

Plenty of positives to be the away side

Chelsea finished 10th last season, a remarkable 33 points adrift of Arsenal.

While Alonso's side still have plenty of ground to make up, there were signs in this game that they can compete towards the top end of the table this season. He must address his side's defensive weaknesses though.

Reaction from Alonso

Chelsea have plenty of attacking threat in Rogers, who has scored twice and provided an assist in his first three league appearances for his new club, as well as Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer. But there remain significant concerns at the other end.

They have not kept a league clean sheet since 17 January and, despite pushing Arsenal all the way, there will be frustration over both goals they conceded.

Argentina's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martinez will feel he should have done better for Havertz's equaliser, while Chelsea's defence was caught out for Odegaard's winner.