Martin Odegaard seals victory as Arsenal equal record against Chelsea

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, maintaining their perfect start to the Premier League season.

They have now won their last five league home games against the Blues for just the second time in the English top flight.

Morgan Rogers broke the deadlock inside the second minute, with the ball breaking kindly for him to volley into the bottom corner.

The goal was the first Arsenal conceded within the opening two minutes of a league game since August 2023 against Fulham.

Arsenal almost restored parity with their first chance. Martin Odegaard delivered a dangerous set-piece into the box, but Emiliano Martinez averted the danger.

Riccardo Calafiori thought he had restored parity for the hosts, tucking the ball home after Chelsea failed to clear their lines from a set-piece. However, his effort was ruled out for offside.

Arsenal equalised in the 25th minute, with Kai Havertz driving inside before drilling a low shot beyond Martinez’s reach at the near post.

Rogers should have restored the visitors’ lead, curling wide after brilliant work from Joao Pedro, who got away from his marker to set him up.

Pedro Neto almost put the Blues ahead before half-time following a counter-attacking move, but his effort struck the woodwork.

The defending champions took the lead early in the second half. Christos Tzolis cut inside to thread the ball through to Odegaard to smash it past Martinez.

Chelsea fashioned their first real opening in the second period on the hour mark, with Malo Gusto blasting wide from inside the area.

Havertz flicked the ball behind for Bukayo Saka, but Martinez palmed his effort away.

Chelsea pushed for a late equaliser, but the Gunners held firm to secure all three points.