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

Morgan Rogers needed only 77 seconds to put Chelsea ahead at the Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal turned the London derby around and delivered the strongest response yet to Chelsea’s title ambitions. The champions won 2-1 on Sunday, ending their rivals’ unbeaten start.

Rogers struck with a low volley from the edge of the penalty area after Reece James lifted a free-kick into the box. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard failed to clear the delivery, and the goal became the first Arsenal had conceded this season.

Kai Havertz equalised against his former club midway through the first half. Odegaard then scored soon after the interval to complete Arsenal’s comeback. The result left Mikel Arteta’s side with three league wins from three matches, level with leaders Manchester City on points and behind on goals scored.

Arsenal’s performance reinforced their ambition to win consecutive league titles for the first time since the 1930s. Their defence had allowed only one shot on target across their first two games, although it was caught out from a set piece against Chelsea.

For Xabi Alonso, the defeat ended a three-match winning run in all competitions since he took charge at Stamford Bridge in the close-season. Chelsea’s defence produced costly errors, while an attack that had flourished against Fulham, Luton and Brighton found it harder to create against Arsenal. The result suggested the club still has substantial work to do before it can challenge for a first league title since 2017. Arteta and Alonso, childhood friends from Spain’s Basque region, watched their teams produce a far more intense contest than the gravel-pitch matches of their youth. Chelsea had beaten Arsenal to the signing of Rogers from Aston Villa after Arsenal refused to match Chelsea’s £117 million bid, making him the most expensive British player in history.