Champions of the Premier League arsenal came from behind to win Chelsea 2-1 in what was a thrilling contest from start to finish at the Emirates on Sunday.
Morgan Rogers gave the Blues the lead inside the first two minutes of an enthralling London derby, before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored to give Mikel Arteta’s men victory.
The result maintains Arsenal’s perfect start to their title defense while Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the campaign under Xabi Alonso came to an end.
The Gunners now sit at the top end of the top-flight table, level on points with rivals Manchester City.
Endearing contest
Billed as one of the first clashes of the season, the game burst into life almost instantly, with £117m signing Rogers slotting home after just 77 seconds.
It was an electric start to what turned out to be a pulsating 45 minutes of top-flight football.
Riccardo Calafiori thought he had drawn the hosts level before a quarter of an hour had passed, but the goal was ruled out after Ezri Konsa, making his first start for Arsenal, was ruled offside.
With the Gunners showing positive signs despite falling behind, Havertz headed straight at Emi Martinez before Bukayo Saka saw an effort beaten away by the Chelsea striker.
However, just over 10 minutes after scoring, the champions leveled when Havertz cut in from the right and fired an effort past Martinez at his near post, to the visible delight of Mikel Arteta on the touchline.
At half-time, Joao Pedro’s pass marked Pedro Neto, who got inside before unleashing a ball that hit the post.
Odegaard puts Arsenal in front
The drama continued after the break, with Odegaard firing Arteta’s full-back ahead after an incisive move down the left ended with a dummy from Havertz giving the Gunners captain time and space to fire past Martinez.
With Arsenal in the ascendancy, the visitors tried to regain the momentum, with Cole Palmer firing straight at David Raya in the Gunners’ goal.
At the other end, substitute Martin Zubimendi had an effort blocked before Saka leveled a smart save from Martinez moments later.
Tempers threatened to flare between Rogers and England team-mate Declan Rice when the latter appeared to hook the former Villa man as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute.
In stoppage time, Raya expertly tipped Estevao’s effort wide of the goal as the champions held on for what could turn out to be a vital victory.
