Arsenal produced a breathless, physically overwhelming attacking display in the opening half-hour against Chelsea, responding to an early goal with a 2-1 comeback win that hints at an exciting upgrade this season.
The match at the Emirates Stadium began with Chelsea taking the lead after 1 minute 17 seconds, Morgan Rogers finishing on the volley with a measured grubber into the corner. Arsenal had 10 shots in that opening period and played with a wildness that felt like a throwback to the early-2000s Premier League.
Equaliser and winner
Kai Havertz equalised on 25 minutes, drifting inside before shooting low inside the near post. The decisive moment came when Havertz produced a dummy to put Martin Odegaard in space in front of goal, and the captain's finish was emphatic.
The game settled after the equaliser, and in the second half it became gripping and episodic, broken up by substitutions and stoppages. Arsenal never really looked like losing their 2-1 lead.
Throwback to a classic era
The opening half-hour felt like a twist on a classic: spells of midfield murder-ball, stretched full-backs, and players hurling themselves at defensive lines. The key to the day was that agreeably wild start, evidence that both teams have the will and energy to progress this season.
That is good news for the Premier League, which last season had a lot of demo-mode football, with elite defensive organisation but a lack of colour and fire.
Moments of drama and debate
There was a moment on 87 minutes that captured both sides of the game. Chelsea were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out, and Danny Welbeck, on as a late substitute, sprinted to hand Reece James a piece of paper as he prepared to shoot. James studied it dutifully before pacing out his run again.
Simultaneously, Morgan Rogers was barracked relentlessly by Arsenal fans as he left the pitch, looking spent and emotionally drained after giving everything to the spectacle.
The match also featured a manager match-up, with Xabi Alonso on the touchline, and Emi Martinez was kicked in the head but got up and was still booed relentlessly. Arsenal had a goal disallowed and produced one flowing full-length move set up by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The question will be asked: why don't Arsenal always play like this? The answer is that it's physically very hard. The real question is whether they can raise it again, store that 30-minute spell away, and keep it ready in their repertoire. If so, on this evidence, there might be an Arsenal upgrade on our hands.
