Arsenal come from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in London derby

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Chelsea defend a corner during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 6, 2026. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

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Arsenal delivered an emphatic response to Chelsea’s emergence as potential Premier League title contenders with a 2-1 win that ended their rivals’ unbeaten start on Sunday.

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Mikel Arteta’s side trailed to Morgan Rogers’ second-minute goal in a pulsating London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

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But the champions showed why they are firm favourites to retain the title with a blistering response to that early setback.

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Kai Havertz bagged the equaliser against his former club midway through the first half and Martin Odegaard netted Arsenal’s winner soon after the interval.

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It was a statement of intent from second-placed Arsenal, who have won all three league matches to sit behind leaders Manchester City on goal scored.

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The Gunners’ mature display underlined their desire to win the club’s first back-to-back titles since the 1930s.

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For Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, the defeat ended his three-game winning run in all competitions since taking charge at Stamford Bridge in the close-season.

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Alonso will realise just how much work Chelsea still have to do before they are in position to end a title drought dating back to 2017.

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Chelsea’s shaky defence is prone to costly miscues, while their vaunted attack found it harder to flourish against Arsenal than in their free-scoring wins over Fulham, Luton and Brighton.

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Arteta and Alonso have known each other since their days as childhood friends in the Basque region of Spain.

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The chaotic matches of their youth on a gravel pitch in the Berio district of San Sebastian would have seemed calm in comparison to the blood and thunder their teams brought to a raucous corner of north London.

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Chelsea beat Arsenal in the race to sign Rogers from Aston Villa in the close-season after the Gunners refused to match the Blues’ £117 million ($158 million) bid for the England midfielder.

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Rogers showed why Chelsea made him the most expensive British player in history as he put the Blues ahead after just 77 seconds.

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– Incisive Arsenal –

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Arsenal’s rock-solid defence had allowed just one shot on target in their first two games.

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So often masters of the set-piece, Arteta’s men were found wanting at a free-kick for once.

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Reece James’ lofted delivery wasn’t cleared by Declan Rice or Odegaard, giving Rogers the chance to drive a low volley past David Raya from the edge of the penalty area.

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It was the first goal conceded by Arsenal this season.

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Having conceded five times in their first two league games under Alonso, Chelsea’s three-man central defence remains flawed and they were exposed again in the 25th minute.

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Havertz was allowed to drift from the right flank to the edge of the area unchecked by Jorrel Hato before the German smashed a low strike through the slow to react Maxence Lacroix’s legs and past Emiliano Martinez at his near post.

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Martinez was signed from Villa to replace the error-prone Robert Sanchez but the Argentine’s weak attempted save was hardly an improvement on his hapless predecessor.

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Pedro Neto was inches away from restoring Chelsea’s lead just before half-time when the Portugal winger slapped his shot against the far post.

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Where Chelsea were profligate, Arsenal have developed a ruthless touch in front of goal.

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They exploited Chelsea’s weakness at the back to net with a superb-crafted move in the 50th minute.

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Christos Tzolis has made an impressive start following his close-season move from Club Brugge and the Greek winger’s incisive pass sliced through the Chelsea defence to Havertz.

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The German’s clever dummy let the ball run through to Odegaard and he kept his composure to slot home from 10 yards.

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Rogers’ angry clash with Rice prompted mocking chants of “you should have signed for a big club” from Arsenal fans.

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Chelsea had chances to silence the taunts, but Malo Gusto blazed over from a good position before Estevao Willian’s rocket was tipped over by Raya in the final minutes.

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