Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, producing a thrilling response after falling behind early in what Sky Sports called an "early contender for game of the season."
Morgan Rogers stunned the home crowd by putting Chelsea ahead after just 77 seconds, scoring against the club that had tried to sign him during the summer transfer window. But Arsenal's champions responded with goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard to secure all three points in the first major Premier League heavyweight clash of the new campaign.
The victory keeps Arsenal perfect at the top of the table alongside Manchester City, maintaining their status as the team to beat this season. Chelsea, meanwhile, showed they could be "worthy challengers for the top honours" despite the defeat, according to Sky Sports' match report.
Rogers haunts Arsenal early
The match exploded into life from the opening whistle. Rogers, who had been a summer target for Arsenal, crashed home the opener for his new club within the first two minutes. The early goal "poked the bear of the champions," as Sky Sports put it, setting up a pulsating encounter between the London rivals.
Arsenal's response came through two of their key players. Havertz, playing in his favored striker role, found the equalizer before captain Odegaard completed the comeback with what proved to be the winning goal.
Title credentials on display
The Athletic's live coverage described the match as a "feisty London derby," with both teams showing the quality expected from title contenders. Arsenal's ability to respond after going behind early demonstrated the mental strength that helped them claim the Premier League crown.
For Chelsea, the performance will provide encouragement despite the result. Rogers' impact in particular caught attention, with The Athletic analyzing "what Morgan Rogers offered Chelsea" in their post-match coverage.
The match was part of a busy Premier League weekend that also saw Manchester City maintain their perfect record, keeping pace with Arsenal at the summit. Both teams now have maximum points from their opening fixtures, setting up what promises to be another compelling title race.
Arsenal's victory came at the Emirates Stadium, where they continue to build momentum in front of their home supporters. The Gunners had previously beaten Coventry City 3-0 in their opening match before suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Aston Villa in their second fixture, making this comeback win particularly important for their early-season confidence.
