Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates, with Martin Odegaard scoring a stunning winner as the reigning champions maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta's side won the title last season by outmuscling opponents, but now they are threatening to win it again with real style and an extra swagger. The champions have gone from set-pieces to slick, beautiful football, and Odegaard's winner was an absolute cracker.
Hard-fought London derby
It was hard fought, tense and a superb London derby as Chelsea gave Arsenal a really tough examination and showed they will be a force to be reckoned with under Xabi Alonso. But Arsenal passed the acid test, showing they are determined to retain their title and playing with the shackles off, even if the dying minutes felt rather nervy.
Incredibly, Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in 12 meetings, dating back to August 2021, and the gap is still there because the Gunners look emboldened by last season's success.
Odegaard back to his best
Odegaard is well and truly back. The Arsenal captain missed so much of last season through injury and, when he was around, he was nowhere near his best. But Odegaard showed in the World Cup for Norway that he has got the bit between his teeth again and is getting back to the levels which made him one of the best midfielders in Europe.
Chelsea possess a dangerous forward line of Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, but they were up against the Premier League's meanest defence. When Chelsea substitute Estevao Willian produced one piece of late magic, he was thwarted by Arsenal keeper David Raya's incredible last-gasp save.
Early setback and response
This felt like a big moment for Arsenal, as it was the biggest game of the Premier League season so far and sent a clear message to the rest. The only strange thing was to see Arsenal concede a goal, their first this season. It was messy and came after just 77 seconds. Reece James' free kick was not cleared properly, Jorrel Hato headed it and the ball fell for Rogers, who hit it full on the volley.
Rogers' shot bounced past Raya's despairing dive, and the reigning champions had conceded their first goal of the season. The Emirates was stunned. But Arsenal then produced some of their best football this season, with so much play, possession and pressure, pinning Chelsea back.
Comeback and magic winner
Riccardo Calafiori had the ball in the net but it was disallowed because VAR showed Ezri Konsa was offside. Arsenal were putting Chelsea keeper Emiliano Martinez under real pressure. It eventually told when Arsenal levelled after 25 minutes. Declan Rice's short pass set up Kai Havertz, and the Arsenal striker cut inside the box and fired a low shot which caught out Martinez at his near post.
This was a really top quality London derby. Chelsea were dangerous on the break, and Pedro Neto led one counter attack in first half injury time, his long range effort hitting the far post. Arsenal then produced a moment of pure magic for the winner. Havertz started the move in the centre circle, Calafiori carried it on, then Christos Tzolis played a low cross field pass. Havertz dummied it and the ball went straight to Odegaard, who calmly slotted past Martinez.
Tzolis will get credited with the assist but he should really share it with Havertz. What a dummy. It left the Arsenal fans marveling at the brilliance of the goal. Arsenal really should have put the game to bed. Bukayo Saka saw a terrific curling effort saved by Martinez, and the Chelsea keeper also made a couple more last gasp stops. Arsenal were well worth the win.
