By Chiagoziem Abosi
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
If you left your seat for two minutes during Arsenal vs Chelsea, you might have missed a goal.
The first big Premier League heavyweight clash of the new season delivered exactly what you’d expect from a London derby: an early goal, a comeback, VAR drama, missed chances and a late goalkeeper save.
And when the dust settled, Arsenal had beaten Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates.
Chelsea said “good morning” first
Chelsea needed just 77 seconds to open the scoring.
Morgan Rogers found space on the edge of the Arsenal box after a free-kick and fired the ball into the bottom corner.
1-0 Chelsea.
For a moment, it looked like Xabi Alonso’s side had found the perfect way to spoil Arsenal’s afternoon.
But Arsenal had other plans.
The Gunners gradually took control, and Kai Havertz against his former club brought Arsenal level in the 25th minute with a low shot from the edge of the box.
1-1.
Game on.
Then came Ødegaard
The second half was where Arsenal really turned the game around.
In the 50th minute, Kai Havertz cleverly allowed a low cross to run through to Martin Ødegaard, who finished from close range.
Arsenal 2, Chelsea 1.
Chelsea didn’t disappear.
Far from it.
Pedro Neto hit the post before Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya produced an important late save to deny Estêvão Willian.
Chelsea pushed, Arsenal defended.
But the equaliser never came.
And that was that.
What does the result mean?
For Arsenal, it is a massive early statement.
The defending champions have now won all three of their opening Premier League matches and remain level on nine points with Manchester City at the top of the table.
More importantly, Arsenal have shown something champions need: the ability to win even after conceding first.
For Chelsea, however, this was their first league defeat of the season.
There were still positives for Xabi Alonso. His team scored early, created chances and pushed Arsenal until the final whistle.
But the loss also showed that Chelsea are still a work in progress.
And with no shortage of new faces in the squad, Alonso will need time to turn potential into consistency.
And elsewhere in the Premier League…
While Arsenal and Chelsea were producing the weekend’s headline act, Manchester United were involved in their own drama.
United looked set to leave Everton with a win after taking the lead twice.
But Everton refused to give up.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored in the 96th minute to rescue a 2-2 draw for Everton.
United had to settle for a point after throwing away the lead late in the game.
And that result leaves plenty for Ruben Amorim’s side to think about.
It’s still incredibly early, but Arsenal and Manchester City are already setting the pace with perfect records.
Chelsea are still in the mix despite Sunday’s defeat, while Manchester United have work to do after another dropped opportunity.
And that’s exactly why the Premier League is fun.
One weekend can make a team look like title contenders.
The next can make everybody panic.
Three games down. Plenty more chaos to come.
So, Ikeja football fans… 👀⚽
Did Arsenal deserve the win against Chelsea?
And after what you’ve seen so far, who are you backing to win the Premier League?
Arsenal defending the crown, Manchester City taking it back, or are Liverpool, Chelsea or another club coming for the trophy?
Tell us your club and your prediction in the comments.
