No new striker, no worries - Havertz and Odegaard torment Chelsea

WHAT HAPPENED
Arsenal began the new Premier League season with a third straight win, coming from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in Sunday’s London derby. Chelsea took an early lead through their recent £117m signing Morgan Rogers, but Kai Havertz levelled before half-time and captain Martin Ødegaard supplied the decisive goal around the 50th minute.

The victory followed opening-day wins over Coventry City and Aston Villa, leaving Arsenal with nine points from three matches and just one goal conceded so far.

KEY CONTEXT
- Arsenal spent close to £200m on new players in the summer transfer window but did not secure the high-profile striker they were pursuing; Julian Álvarez, Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola and Vinícius Jr were among names linked in transfer discussions reported in the campaign. Álvarez remains at Atlético Madrid; Rogers signed for Chelsea, Barcola moved to Liverpool, and Vinícius Jr stayed at Real Madrid, according to the source.
- Kai Havertz joined Arsenal in 2023 and Ødegaard in 2021. Chelsea have invested heavily in the squad too, spending close to £350m since the end of last season.
- Arsenal are one of only two clubs, alongside Manchester City, to have collected the maximum nine points from their opening three league fixtures.

WHY IT MATTERS
Arsenal’s start reinforces the momentum that carried them to the 2025-26 title, showing resilience when conceding early and the ability for their established players to influence big matches. Ødegaard’s improved goal return — three goals in four appearances this season after scoring once in 36 last term — and the attacking link-up on the right involving Bukayo Saka, Ødegaard and Havertz were singled out by former professionals as pivotal to the win. High spending by rivals like Chelsea makes early consistency valuable as the campaign progresses.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Arsenal can sustain a perfect start and maintain their defensive solidity beyond three games — the source cautions it is early in the season and tougher tests are likely to come.
- Can Ødegaard keep up his current scoring form, a factor highlighted by former players as central to Arsenal’s prospects?
- How Chelsea’s heavy summer outlay translates into results as the season unfolds.

KEY FACTS
- Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 after coming from behind; Havertz and Ødegaard scored.
- Morgan Rogers scored early for Chelsea; he was a reported £117m signing for Chelsea this summer.
- Arsenal have nine points from three Premier League games and have conceded one goal.
- Arsenal spent close to £200m on new signings in the summer; Chelsea have spent about £350m since last season.
- Ødegaard has three goals in four appearances this season, having scored once in 36 in the previous campaign.