Arsenal come from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 and maintain perfect start

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.