Odegaard and Havertz Inspire Arsenal Comeback in Pulsating London Derby Against Chelsea
Kai Havertz, facing his former club, pulled Arsenal level midway through the first half with a well-placed finish past Emiliano Martinez.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Arsenal passed their first major test of their Premier League title defence in style as they came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in a pulsating London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s champions were stunned after just 77 seconds when Chelsea, who had spent close to £350 million in the summer window, took the lead through Morgan Rogers. The visitors’ fast start threatened to derail Arsenal’s perfect start to the season, but the Gunners responded with the composure and maturity of champions.
Kai Havertz, facing his former club, pulled Arsenal level midway through the first half with a well-placed finish past Emiliano Martinez. The German forward, who has become a key figure under Arteta, beat the Chelsea goalkeeper at his near post after a flowing Arsenal move to make it 1-1 in the 25th minute.
The decisive moment came five minutes after the break. In a moment of brilliant combination play, Havertz produced a clever dummy to allow Christos Tzolis’ pass to run through to captain Martin Odegaard, who crashed in the winner to send the Emirates into raptures.
It was Odegaard’s second goal in three Premier League games this season and, according to the Norwegian, one of his finest in an Arsenal shirt.
“He is a really smart player and moves so well,” Odegaard told Sky Sports after the game. “It was a brilliant goal.”[Havertz]
Chelsea, to their credit, were never out of contention in a high-octane, high-quality duel. Pedro Neto struck the post, substitute Malo Gusto curled a good chance over the bar, and substitute Estevao was denied a dramatic late equaliser by a superb fingertip save from David Raya.
The save preserved Arsenal’s lead and ensured a third win from three games for the champions, who now sit level at the top of the Premier League table with Manchester City, both on a maximum nine points. Arsenal remain second only on goals scored, but the win was a statement of intent as they chase back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1930s.
For Arteta, the victory showed his side can become even better than last season’s title-winning model.
“We showed character. To concede that early and to respond the way we did against a top Chelsea side shows where we are,” Arteta said after the match.
The result also extends Arsenal’s impressive dominance over Chelsea in London derbies, with the Gunners now claiming five consecutive wins over their rivals at the Emirates.
For Chelsea, despite the defeat, there were positives in their aggressive start and their ability to push the champions until the final whistle. But ultimately, the combination of Havertz and Odegaard proved the difference in a derby that lived up to its billing.
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