Arsenal edge Chelsea 2-1 in first Premier League test of the season
Arsenal maintained their perfect start at the Emirates, while Chelsea’s attacking promise was offset by continuing defensive concerns.
Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, securing a third successive Premier League victory in the first major test of the season for the defending champions.
Al Jazeera reported that Chelsea managed 13 shots but produced an expected goals figure of 0.35, with eight attempts coming from outside the box. Arsenal’s defensive performance was achieved despite the absence of first-choice defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
Ben White’s form at right-back has also eased the pressure to bring Timber back quickly from injury. White and Bukayo Saka provided the focus for Arsenal’s attack, with 47 per cent of the team’s attacking moves coming down the right flank, according to Al Jazeera.
Kai Havertz scored against his former club and recorded 10 touches in Chelsea’s penalty area. Martin Odegaard also continued his strong start to the campaign, scoring his third goal in four appearances and being named Player of the Match.
The result strengthened Arsenal’s early title credentials, although it came after only three matches of a 38-game season. Chelsea, meanwhile, showed enough attacking intent to remain in the early top-four discussion, but have now gone 19 league matches without a clean sheet.
Chelsea did set a notable early-season benchmark, becoming the first Premier League team reported to have scored inside the opening five minutes of each of its first three matches. The performance suggested potential, but also left defensive problems for the club to address.
