Arsenal won against Chelsea in a London derby, showing they can be a complete team despite conceding an early goal to Morgan Rogers. Martin Odegaard scored two goals, including one from a clever free-kick, and is now level with his tally for the entire 2023-24 season after just three matches. The article suggests that Kai Havertz has solidified his position as Arsenal's best striker, using his hold-up play, pressuring ability, and vision to bring out the best in his teammates.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Arsenal vs Chelsea: A Tale of Two Derbies
The highly anticipated London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea is just around the corner, with both teams looking to assert their dominance in the Premier League.
In a pre-match interview, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his confidence in his team's ability to compete against the Blues. "I think they have every ingredient to be in the highest part of the table," he said.
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is expected to deploy Reece James in midfield, where his importance will likely grow after the transfer collapse of Lamine Camara and Enzo Fernandez's departure for Manchester City.
The two teams have been on a roll so far this season, with Arsenal showcasing their strength in depth against Aston Villa and Chelsea impressing with an attacking display against Brighton.
This match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with different strengths. Can Arteta's side contain the Blues' new-look attack, or will Alonso's men prove too strong for the Gunners?
Chelsea XI vs Arsenal: Predicted Lineup
Emi Martinez is set to keep his place in goal, while Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro will again form the fearsome front three.
Reece James could start in midfield, where he will be expected to play a crucial role alongside Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco.
Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: Predicted Lineup
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated that Cristhian Mosquera's withdrawal against Aston Villa was precautionary, but the Gunners may still opt to add more experience to their back line with Ezri Konsa pushing for his full debut.
Bruno Guimaraes is a doubt after picking up a small issue in the previous match, while Timber is closing in on a return from injury.
How to Watch Arsenal vs Chelsea
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 4pm BST ahead of the 4.30pm BST kick off.
Written for “Arsenal vs Chelsea Derby” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 34 other(s) covering the same event.
It could have been a very different afternoon, with an alternative narrative almost inevitably materialising early on.
uncertain
narrative → materialise → ?
Morgan Rogers, who Arsenal wanted to sign this summer, fired Chelsea in front.
asserted
Arsenal → want → front
Emi Martinez, unpopular in these parts even before his move to Stamford Bridge, looked to be shaping up to frustrate the home supporters.
asserted
Martinez → look → supporters
Mikel Arteta's side, though, ensured those became minor subplots, as Arsenal showed they can be the full package.
asserted
they → ensure → ?
Arsenal show mettle after early scare
asserted
Arsenal → show → scare
Within one minute and 17 seconds, Arsenal had conceded for the first time this season.
asserted
Arsenal → concede → time
Against a side set to be one of their main title rivals, and with an attack offering a constant threat, this was a major test for the Gunners, not just of their quality but of their composure too in a red-hot London derby.
asserted
this → set → derby
Arteta's side had the answers.
asserted
side → have → answers
In a game brimming with pace and edge, Arsenal responded superbly in a thrilling first-half.
asserted
Arsenal → brim → half
At times they left themselves open on the counter, but the intent in attack was there.
asserted
intent → leave → attack
Riccardo Calafiori was denied by the offside flag, Havertz tested Martinez, and only a wonderful headed clearance from Romeo Lavia denied Bukayo Saka a certain goal.
asserted
clearance → deny → goal
Arsenal have already shown they are elite front-runners and here was evidence they can do it the hard way, against tough opposition too.
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they → show → opposition
Another marker has been laid down.
asserted
marker → lay → ?
Captain Odegaard leads from the front
asserted
Odegaard → lead → front
His clever, low free-kick almost led to Calafiori turning in for an immediate equaliser.
asserted
Calafiori → lead → equaliser
Odegaard then pounced on a loose ball to scoop a pass in behind for Saka, who tested Martinez at his near post.
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who → pounce → post
There was zip to everything Odegaard did, whether he was setting Arsenal away on the counter or operating in tight areas.
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he → be → areas
This time he did not sit the goalkeeper down, but the late run into the box was just as well-timed and the finish no less ruthless.
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finish → sit → box
With two goals in the opening three Premier League matches, Odegaard has already bettered last season's tally.
asserted
Odegaard → better → tally
One more and he'll have matched what he managed in the 2024-25 campaign too.
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he → match → campaign
No debate over Arsenal's striker
As he has for every competitive match so far this season, Havertz led the line for Arsenal over Viktor Gyokeres.
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Havertz → lead → Gyokeres
The German missed almost the entirety of the first half of last season and he is quickly showing Arsenal exactly what they missed.
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they → miss → what
When free in the box in the first half, he opted to flick it off to Odegaard instead of shooting, highlighting that he is not a forward with the most selfish striker instincts.
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he → opt → instincts
He is, though, the best forward for what Arsenal need.
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Arsenal → need → what
Havertz leads the press, holds the ball up, and brings the best out of those around him.
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Havertz → lead → him
There was a lovely flexibility to Arsenal’s attack, with Havertz often drifting out to the right and Bukayo Saka moving centrally.
asserted
Saka → be → right
Havertz’s sensational dummy let the ball run through for Odegaard's goal.
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ball → let → goal
Later in the half, his flick nutmegged Wesley Fofana and set up a chance for Saka.
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flick → nutmegge → Saka
Arsenal play their best football with Havertz in the side.
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Arsenal → play → side
Gyokeres came on for his first minutes of the season and the ball bounced off him.
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ball → come → him
The Swede looked clumsy and offered too many turnovers when Arsenal were looking to see out the match.
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Arsenal → look → match
There is no argument to be had over who should be starting for Arsenal in attack.
asserted
who → be → attack
