The best defence in the Premier League vs the most menacing attack in the Premier League. That’s how Arsenal vs Chelsea on Sunday afternoon was billed.
Well, while both sides conceded, it was the Gunners who came out on top, winning 2-1.
The Blues were good. Credit must be given to Xabi Alonso’s side. That was certainly one of the toughest league fixtures Mikel Arteta’s men will have this season.
However, despite scoring early, the visitors were unable to take advantage of that strike. Arsenal were outstanding from the minute they went behind, scoring through Kai Havertz and then sealing a vital three points through Martin Odegaard.
How Arsenal got the better of Chelsea
This game had a heap of subplots but none were arguably greater than Morgan Rogers’ involvement.
The England man looked set to sign for Arsenal earlier in the summer. He was Arteta’s top target but a move fell through when Chelsea advanced talks and made a colossal £117m bid that Aston Villa were never going to reject.
So, when he found the net just two minutes into the game, firing the ball past David Raya, it was rather typical. Fortunately for the hosts, that was about as good as it got all day for Rogers.
Ezri Konsa on debut marshalled him to perfection, even making a phenomenally timed tackle to deny a goalscoring opportunity.
In truth, Chelsea’s mesmerising front three were not that mesmerising on Sunday. Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes performed brilliantly, registering a whopping 17 defensive contributions between them.
What was most impressive from an Arsenal point of view, however, was their forward line. A week ago they struggled against Villa but they were back and firing again on Sunday.
At the heart of it was Havertz, who scored against his former employers, slamming the past Emi Martinez at his near post with 25 minutes gone.
Arsenal grew into the game and were certainly excellent value for their win. Christos Tzolis, who was hauled off at half-time last Monday, responded to that setback in captivating fashion. He provided the winner, completed four progressive carries and won six of his eight duels. This was much better from the Greek.
Still, neither he nor Havertz were the true man of the match.
Arsenal’s £30m man stole the show against Chelsea
Arsenal look different this season, there’s a swagger about them, a certain confidence about being Premier League champions. It just radiates an aura.
Well, there are a number of players in the red and white who are playing as though they’ve gone up a level. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have started the campaign as they mean to go on. Gabriel looks like his usual self at the back but in midfield, wow, the skipper looks like one of the best players in the Premier League again.
In 2022/23, Odegaard was the division’s standout midfielder. No one in his position scored more than his 15 goals that campaign. Sadly, since then, the Norwegian has struggled to kick on.
Last season, the 27-year-old only found the net on one occasion. The playmaker has struggled with a succession of ankle injuries and it’s really hampered his confidence. That was clear last term; he looked so indecisive, so uncertain with every action he performed in critical attacking zones.
Well, he’s now back to his best. In this sort of form, he takes Arsenal to another level. His goal against Chelsea on Sunday was his third of 2026/27 already and this was perhaps his most devastating yet. It was almost a replica of his Community Shield goal, ghosting in behind Havertz and picking up Tzolis’ pass. This time he did not pass the ball home; he thundered it past Martinez.
Odegaard was simply marvellous in the middle of the park. It was a Santi Cazorla-esque display from midfield. Not just content with getting forward and making things happen in the final third, he dropped deep and dictated play too. His press resistance was first-class; his technique, as it was with Cazorla, was complete perfection.
During his 77 minutes on the field, the captain completed four key passes, the joint-highest on the pitch. Like Cazorla in his prime, he was creating chances with great regularity. It’s that ability to make things happen in little pockets on the edge of the box that makes the players so alike.
|
Odegaard vs Chelsea |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
77 |
|
Touches |
65 |
|
Accurate passes |
48/54 (89%) |
|
Shots |
2 |
|
Key passes |
4 |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
|
Progressive carries |
3 |
|
Duels won |
3/5 |
This was such a classy performance. Only Rice completed more passes (62) than Odegaard’s haul of 48. Only two players had more touches in the opposition box.
This was a virtuoso performance from a player who has proven the doubters wrong. While Odegaard became the first Arsenal captain in 22 years to lift the title last season, his future did look a tad uncertain. His numbers in recent years have seen supporters lust after someone who is more explosive going forward.
Well, that replacement is no longer needed. In this sort of form, the £30m signing is one of the first names on the teamsheet.