Havertz haunts Chelsea as Arsenal produce statement comeback at Emirates
Arsenal produced an impressive comeback to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium and maintain their perfect start to the Premier League title defence.
Goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard overturned Morgan Rogers’ early opener as Arsenal passed their toughest examination of the new campaign.
Chelsea arrived in north London having attracted attention with their explosive attack under new manager Xabi Alonso, and it took just 77 seconds for that threat to materialise.
Arsenal failed to properly clear Reece James’ free-kick before Rogers collected the loose ball and guided a superb volley beyond David Raya.
It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded this season, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta received precisely the response he would have wanted.
The champions immediately increased the intensity and began overwhelming Chelsea, with Riccardo Calafiori briefly believing he had equalised after a scramble from a set-piece.
VAR ruled the goal out because Ezri Konsa had been offside during the move, while Bukayo Saka subsequently tested Emiliano Martinez as Arsenal maintained the pressure.
Their dominance eventually produced the deserved equaliser after 25 minutes.
Havertz drifted across the edge of the penalty area without being closed down before beating his former club with a low finish inside Martinez’s near post.
Chelsea provided a reminder of their counter-attacking quality shortly before half-time when Joao Pedro released Pedro Neto, whose effort struck the post.
Arsenal responded after the interval by producing the decisive moment only five minutes into the second half.
Christos Tzolis delivered from the left before an intelligent Havertz dummy allowed Odegaard to ghost into the penalty area and finish beyond Martinez.
Havertz continued tormenting his former employers and later produced an excellent flick to release Saka, although Martinez prevented Arsenal from extending their advantage.
Chelsea inevitably applied pressure as the contest entered its closing stages, but Arsenal showed the resilience that underpinned last season’s championship success.
Raya produced the crucial intervention in the 89th minute, brilliantly tipping substitute Estevao Willian’s powerful effort over the crossbar.
Arsenal subsequently protected their advantage to secure a third successive Premier League victory after earlier wins over Coventry City and Aston Villa.
It is only the second time in 22 seasons that the Gunners have opened a league campaign with three consecutive victories.
Their remarkable dominance of Chelsea also continues, with Arsenal now unbeaten in 12 meetings against their London rivals, winning nine.
More importantly, this was an early demonstration of the champions’ range.
Arsenal overwhelmed Coventry, ground out victory at Villa Park and have now recovered from behind against one of the teams expected to challenge them.
Chelsea provided the toughest test yet, but Arsenal’s response sent an early warning to every rival hoping to take their Premier League crown.
The post Havertz haunts Chelsea as Arsenal produce statement comeback at Emirates first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
