Kai Havertz was on target as Arsenal came from behind to defeat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, maintaining their perfect start to the new Premier League season.
Chelsea took an early lead through Morgan Rogers, who struck just 77 seconds into the London derby. However, Arsenal responded strongly, with Havertz scoring against his former club before Martin Odegaard completed the comeback shortly after half-time.
The victory means Arsenal have now won all three of their league matches and remain unbeaten, sitting second behind Manchester City on goals scored.
Arsenal’s German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz (L) scores the team’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 6, 2026.
Arsenal Come From Behind to Beat Chelsea
Arsenal produced an impressive comeback after Rogers’ early goal gave Chelsea the advantage in a lively encounter at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s team showed their championship credentials by recovering quickly from the setback. Havertz restored parity midway through the first half before Odegaard scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute.
Arsenal’s victory also ended Chelsea’s unbeaten start under new manager Xabi Alonso, who had guided the Blues to three consecutive wins in all competitions since taking charge during the close season.
The result underlined Arsenal’s ambitions of retaining the Premier League title and winning back-to-back championships for the first time since the 1930s.
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice (R) and Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard (L) celebrate after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 6, 2026.
For Alonso, the defeat highlighted the significant work still required if Chelsea are to challenge for their first league title since 2017.
Chelsea’s defensive problems were again exposed, while their attack struggled to produce the same free-scoring performance seen in victories over Fulham, Luton and Brighton.
The meeting also brought together Arteta and Alonso, who have known each other since childhood in Spain’s Basque region.
Their fierce rivalry on the pitch contrasted sharply with the childhood matches they played together on a gravel pitch in the Berio district of San Sebastian.
Rogers Gives Chelsea an Early Lead
Chelsea beat Arsenal in the race to sign Rogers from Aston Villa during the close season after Arsenal declined to match the Blues’ £117 million ($158 million) offer for the England international.
Rogers immediately justified Chelsea’s huge investment by giving his new team the lead after only 77 seconds.
Arsenal’s normally dependable defence was caught out from a free-kick. Reece James delivered a lofted ball into the area, but Declan Rice and Odegaard failed to clear it.
Rogers capitalised on the mistake, firing a low volley beyond David Raya from the edge of the penalty area.
The goal was the first Arsenal had conceded in the Premier League this season after they had allowed just one shot on target across their opening two matches.
Incisive Arsenal Punish Chelsea
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard (R) scores the team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 6, 2026.
Chelsea’s defensive frailties, which had already seen them concede five goals in their opening two league games under Alonso, resurfaced in the 25th minute.
Havertz found space on the right before moving towards the edge of the penalty area. Jorrel Hato failed to track his movement, allowing the German to unleash a low shot through Maxence Lacroix’s legs and into the near corner past Emiliano Martinez.
Martinez had joined Chelsea from Aston Villa as a replacement for Robert Sanchez, but his unsuccessful attempt to stop Havertz’s effort offered little reassurance.
Chelsea nearly regained the lead before the break when Pedro Neto struck the far post with a powerful effort.
Arsenal, however, continued to look more clinical in front of goal and took advantage of Chelsea’s defensive weaknesses once again shortly after half-time.
Christos Tzolis, who has impressed since joining Arsenal from Club Brugge during the close season, played a perfectly weighted pass that split the Chelsea defence and found Havertz.
The German cleverly allowed the ball to run beyond him, creating space for Odegaard. The Arsenal captain kept his composure and calmly slotted the ball home from 10 yards to put the hosts ahead.
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice (L) and Chelsea’s English midfielder #17 Morgan Rogers (R) react during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 6, 2026.
Chelsea Push for an Equaliser
Rogers became involved in a heated exchange with Rice, prompting Arsenal supporters to taunt the Chelsea forward with chants of “you should have signed for a big club”.
Chelsea had opportunities to respond, but their finishing let them down.
Malo Gusto sent a promising chance over the crossbar, while Estevao Willian came close to an equaliser late in the match when Raya produced an excellent save to tip his powerful effort over the bar.
Arsenal held on to secure a valuable 2-1 victory, maintaining their perfect league record and sending an early warning to their Premier League rivals.
The result also reinforced Arsenal’s status as serious contenders to retain the title, while Chelsea will need to address their defensive shortcomings if they are to turn their promising start under Alonso into a sustained title challenge.
