Premier League champions Arsenal came from behind to beat 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 opening two minutes of an eye-catching London derby, before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored to give Mikel Arteta’s men the victory.
The result maintains Arsenal’s perfect start to their title defence, while Chelsea’s own 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.
Enthralling contest
Billed as one of the early clashes of the season, the game sprang into life almost instantly, with £117m-signing Rogers volleying home after just 77 seconds.
It was an electric start to what proved to be a pulsating 45 minutes of top-flight football.
Riccardo Calafiori thought he had equalised for the hosts before a quarter of an hour had elapsed , however, the goal was ruled out after Ezri Konsa – making his first Arsenal start – was adjudged to have been in an offside position.
With the Gunners showing positive signs despite falling behind, with Havertz flashing a header straight at Emi Martinez before Bukayo Saka saw an effort beaten away by the Chelsea stopper.
However, just over 10 minutes after having a goal chalked off, the champions did draw level when Havertz cut in from the right and rifled an effort that beat Martinez at his near post, much to the visible delight of Mikel Arteta on the touchline.
On the stroke of half-time, Joao Pedro’s raking pass picked out Pedro Neto, who drove inside before unleashing a drive that hit the post.
Odegaard puts Arsenal in front
The drama continued after the break, with Odegaard blasting Arteta’s side in front following an incisive move down the left that ended with a neat Havertz dummy giving the Gunners’ captain time and space to fire past Martinez.
With Arsenal in the ascendancy, the visitors tried to wrestle back momentum, with Cole Palmer hitting a shot straight at David Raya in the Gunners’ goal.
At the other end, substitute Martin Zubimendi had an effort blocked before Saka drew a smart save from Martinez moments later.
Tempers threatened to flare between Rogers and his England teammate Declan Rice when the latter appeared to trip the former Villa man as the clock ticked towards the 90 minute mark.
On the cusp of stoppage time, Raya expertly tipped over Estevao’s curling goal-bound effort as the champions held on to secure what could prove to be a vital victory.
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