The champions answer back: Arsenal sink Chelsea in pulsating London derby
Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder #41 Estevao (2R) is fouled by Arsenal's Ecuadorian defender #05 Piero Hincapie (2L) and Arsenal's Brazilian defender #06 Gabriel Magalhaes (R) during the English League Cup semi final second leg, football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, in London on February 3, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO VIDEO EMULATION. SOCIAL MEDIA IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO USE IN BETTING PUBLICATIONS, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. /
Havertz and Ødegaard overturn a second-minute deficit as Arsenal maintain their perfect start, leaving Chelsea to rue what might have been
By Andalo Christine Ingutia
Seventy-seven seconds into yesterday’s match, Chelsea stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence. Following a deep free kick by Reece James, Jorrel Hato’s knock-down found Morgan Rogers, who drove a low volley past David Raya from the edge of the area to put the visitors ahead.
It was the kind of start that immediately changed the mood inside the ground. Chelsea did not look intimidated by the defending champions and showed a clear willingness to attack from the opening minute. Rogers’ goal also extended Chelsea’s striking habit of scoring within the first five minutes in each of their three league matches this season.
Arsenal’s pressure began to build, though an attempted equaliser through Ricardo Calafiori was ruled out for offside by VAR. The breakthrough eventually came midway through the first half when former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz drifted in from the right flank unchecked and smashed a low strike past Emiliano Martinez at his near post to level at 1-1.
Rather than allowing the early setback to unsettle them, Arsenal kept pushing forward and forced Chelsea to defend for longer periods. Havertz’s equaliser carried particular weight — scored against his former club — and gave the home side the confidence to take control.
Chelsea remained dangerous on the break. Their attacking approach under Xabi Alonso was evident throughout, but Arsenal gradually dealt more effectively with the threat. The first half illustrated that Chelsea are capable of competing with the champions, even if defensive stability remains a concern: they had conceded seven goals in their opening three league matches before yesterday’s game.
Five minutes after the break, Martin Ødegaard completed the turnaround. Havertz’s intelligent movement created space, and the Arsenal captain finished from close range to give the Gunners the lead they would not relinquish.
The goal was a precise illustration of Arsenal’s capacity to punish a moment of defensive uncertainty. Ødegaard, who struggled with injuries last season, has started this campaign sharply, and his influence in the final third is already proving central to Arsenal’s title defence.
Late drama followed as Chelsea pushed hard for an equaliser. Pedro Neto struck the post before half-time, and Raya produced a series of important saves to keep Arsenal ahead in the closing stages.
Those final minutes showed that Chelsea were not prepared to accept their fate quietly. They came close on more than one occasion, and Raya’s interventions proved as decisive as either of Arsenal’s goals.
Chelsea look markedly improved from last season, when they finished 33 points behind Arsenal. They were dangerous at set pieces, physically combative and capable of hurting the champions — even if Alonso acknowledged the defeat was painful. Their supporters will argue they were unfortunate not to take something from the game; their manager will know the defensive frailties must be addressed.
For Arsenal, the more significant achievement may have been their response. Conceding after 77 seconds to a Chelsea side arriving with full momentum could have proved destabilising. Instead, they stayed composed, gradually reasserted control and turned the game. That is the hallmark of a team defending a title with conviction.
Questions remain about how the title race will unfold. Arsenal now have nine points from three matches, level with Manchester City, who lead on goal difference with a perfect record of their own. Both sides are setting the pace, and the championship may again be decided in the final weeks of the season.
Arsenal are now one of just two teams with a perfect record this term, alongside Manchester City. The pressure of defending a title is different from winning one — every opponent arrives motivated to end the champions’ run — and Arsenal will need to sustain this level of concentration across the full campaign.
Arsenal have come from behind to beat Chelsea in the Premier League for the first time since October 2011. But Chelsea’s performance suggests the gap between the sides is narrowing, even if Arteta’s team remain the stronger side for now.
For Alonso, the challenge is turning promising performances into consistent results. Chelsea have invested heavily and brought in several new players, and there is still an adjustment period under way. Their attacking football has already given supporters reason for optimism, but their defensive organisation must improve if they are to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City over a full season.
The rivalry is not yet at its fiercest, but yesterday gave it another spark. Chelsea showed they can challenge Arsenal; Arsenal showed why they remain the team everyone is trying to catch.
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