Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Report by Layth Yousif
Mick Jagger might have been at Sunday’s London derby, but it was Chelsea who couldn’t get any satisfaction, after Arsenal staged a superb comeback to prove to the billionaire moneybags that you can’t always get what you want.
North London staged the match of the fledging Premier League campaign so far, as both sides showed their quality in a pulsating early season clash, that ended with Mikel Arteta’s champions underlining their character and class to make it three wins from three.
While the Gunners early summer target Morgan Rogers scored after only two minutes to put Xabi Alonso’s side. 1-0 ahead, Arteta’s Arsenal once again showcased just why they lifted the title after 22 long years last term.
In a captivating clash that saw £50m arrival from Aston Villa Ezri Konsa make his full debut in Arsenal colours, Chelsea had the better of the first half, but former Blue Kai Havertz levelled on 25 minutes, prior to captain Martin Odegaard bringing the house down with a clinical finish five minutes after the interval, as Arteta’s side sealed a hard-fought victory, not to mention London bragging rights.
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Despite a challenging match at Villa for Arsenal’s new £34m summer signing from Bruges, Arteta opted for Christos Tzolis to keep his place on the left wing ahead of Eberechi Eze, while Myles Lewis-Skelly stayed in midfield alongside Declan Rice, with Bruno Guimaraes on the bench again.
Kai Havertz led the line for a third game on the bounce ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, with Bukayo Saka completing the front three.
Reece James returned to Chelsea’s starting line-up in one of two changes from their win over Brighton as he replaces Malo Gusto.
Moises Caicedo is not in the squad having seemingly aggravated an injury off the bench last weekend.
The other change sees Josh Acheampong picked ahead of Levi Colwillin the back three.
Riccardo Calafiori had the ball in the next on 15 minutes, but VAR simply couldn’t wait to disallow a goal line effort for offside. Couldn’t wait. But then, in the aftermath of the wretched Mike Dean’s shockingly disrespectful ‘revelations’ this week, fans should all just be thankful the referee ventured from the centre circle in the opening 20 minutes, not to mention actually blowing his whistle.
Undeterred Arsenal swept forward, with former Gunner Emi Martinez blocking Saka’s fierce near post shot shortly afterwards.
It was noticeable that, at an Arsenal corner on 20 minutes, Maresca’s tactic was to position two forwards on the halfway line, with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro forcing back a number of the Gunners backline – normally such a muscular presence at corners, thereby denuding the home side of its usual potency at such a dead ball situation.
In a lively opening from both sides, James unleashed a fierce effort from 30 yards that was heading for the top corner. That was until the alert David Raya at full stretch parried the ball, before safely gathered the rebound. Moments later, Pedro was inches away from netting from Palmer’s low ball into the box in a pulsating opening to this London derby.
That was before Havertz – who led the line for a third game on the bounce ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, with Bukayo Saka completing the front three – drilled in a low effort past former Arsenal keeper Martinez to level at 1-1.
Yet, as we approached the half hour mark, Chelsea kept attacking. Unsurprisingly given they could boast such riches in their attacking trident of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Rogers, who started together again, with new signing, and former Gunners keeper Emi Martinez continuing in goal on his return to North London.
Reece James returned to Chelsea’s starting line-up in one of two changes from their win over Brighton as the England man replaced Malo Gusto. Blues metronome Moises Caicedo was not in the squad having aggravated an injury off the bench last weekend, with Alonso’s other change saw Josh Acheampong picked ahead of Levi Colwillin the back three.
As the clock ticked towards half time, Rogers’ effort curled just the wrong side of Raya’s for post for Blues hopes, while Perdo drilled in a low, long range effort that fizzed just wide.
However, the champions weren’t to be denied, with skipper Odegaard finishing with aplomb following a neat interchange to make the score 2-1 and complete a remarkable turnabout, as the Emirates erupted in deep joy.
