Arsenal came from behind to extend their 100 per cent start to the season.The Athletic Live TeamSeptember 7, 2026 at 5:57 AM EDTArsenal have maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season by beating Chelsea. Getty ImagesArsenal 2-1 Chelsea — reactionMartin Odegaard's goal saw Arsenal come from behind to defeat Chelsea in a thrilling Premier League contest at the Emirates. A Morgan Rogers volley gave the visitors a shock lead 77 seconds in before Kai Havertz equalised by beating Emi Martinez at the near post.Shortly after the break, Odegaard capitalised on Havertz's brilliant dummy to slam in Arsenal's second, while David Raya produced a stunning fingertip save to deny Estevao in the closing minutes. Join the Discuss tab or email us your reaction: live@theathletic.comSKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementAnd up next for Chelsea Getty ImagesChelsea are also in action midweek as they host Leeds United in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday. After that they welcome Hull City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Up next for Arsenal Getty ImagesThree wins from three to start their Premier League campaign and now Arsenal turn their attentions to the Champions League.They travel to Napoli on Wednesday to get their European season up and running before a trip to Sunderland three days later. Arsenal's strong start to the seasonThis is Arsenal's third win in a row in the new campaign and is only the third time in their history that they have managed that as well as conceding fewer than two goals. It happened once in 1924-25 and again in 2003-04, according to our friends at Opta. That latter season was, of course, their ‘Invincibles’ campaign. Premier LeagueAs for the bottom half of the table, here's how things are shaping up following match day three...A look at the top of the Premier League table... Premier LeagueSo after that result, let's take a look at the top half of the table and where that leaves Arsenal and Chelsea...Nearly top of the tree once again for Mikel Arteta's side, only behind Manchester City on goal difference, while Chelsea are in fourth.SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementHavertz outdid Joao Pedro up top Getty ImagesChelsea fans will not have enjoyed it for many reasons but...Kai Havertz, the man who scored the winner in Chelsea’s 2021 Champion League triumph only to leave for Arsenal two years later, outshone Chelsea's current No 9 Joao Pedro in the battle of the frontmen today.Alonso: ‘Defeat has to hurt’ Getty Images Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has also spoken to Sky Sports and admitted that losing for the first time in the league this season was painful.💬 “A defeat has to hurt. It has been a very intense game with different moments, we had chances to equalise in the first half as well so it was a tight game. But you are never happy if you lose.“After we had scored, there were 15 or 20 minutes that we had to defend too much and we were struggling to get a little bit of control of the goal.“After 20 minutes, we got back in the game, we had better spells with the ball, we had the chance with Morgan (Rogers) and with Pedro (Neto) as well, but overall it was a very, very tight, very intense game.“We were in the game, we fought till the end, the guys gave everything, they tried everything, but it's the first defeat. We need to continue but it has to hurt.”Odegaard in rich form Getty ImagesThat was a third goal in four outings this season for Martin Odegaard, after scoring just once in 36 games last season.Finding an eye for goal.More from Arteta Getty Images Mikel Arteta also told Sky Sports he is seeing extra ‘layers’ from his team at the start of their title defence.💬 “It was another layer of dynamism, of threat, of aggression in the attacking phase. I really enjoyed it, honestly. It was a joy to stand there.“That's what we have to do daily and try to improve daily, to find a new version, a better version of ourselves every single day and hopefully inspire the players to try to get to those levels.”Mikel Arteta: ‘It was an avalanche’ Getty Images Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken to Sky Sports and eulogised over his team's response to conceding Morgan Rogers' goal in the second minute of their win over Chelsea.💬 “We were very disappointed the way we conceded the first goal, and we talked about it, but credit to them and the finish that Morgan (Rogers) has.“The way we reacted and the way we played was a fascinating game and from start to finish, it was an absolute joy to watch.“Our team play, to compete, the composure, the personality, the threat that we generated and there were some huge individual performance as well and the atmosphere in the stadium is just ready to win.“I'm interested in the way we reacted and the composure that we showed in that moment. It was just an avalanche. It was action after action and it was a joy to watch.”SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementBelatedly, we have heard from the Arsenal manager.Over to you, Mikel...The thoughts of Chelsea fansChelsea supporters have had their say on the game at our Discuss tab.Mike G: Credit to Arsenal today, I didn’t even think we looked bad. Estevao looked great at least imo. Disappointed but not angry.MP: Can’t argue with the outcome unfortunately. Arsenal did shade it but that was a cracking game. Good to see Chelsea playing proper football again.Tim M: The gap is closing rapidly. Arsenal looked very vulnerable in the second half. We’re still in a shambles defending on the wings but positive nonetheless.James B: Got to give credit to Arsenal, they just know how to get the job done now. Plenty of encouraging signs for Chelsea, but central midfield is clearly going to be an issue for us against the best teams.Chelsea and Alonso have a psychological barrier to overcome against ArsenalYou did suspect this game came a bit too early for Xabi Alonso’s liking as he is just three league games into his reign. Players are still getting used to his system and as mentioned before, being without Moises Caicedo is a major loss. But this is also an early reality check for Alonso in what he needs to change. Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal for five years and that is a psychological barrier he has to overcome. When Chelsea used to dominate Arsenal, it was because they were smarter, physically stronger, could defend better and get the better of the dark arts. They were ruthless up front too. Arsenal were talented back then but a bit too nice for their own good. That is something which has turned around in Arsenal’s favour since Mikel Arteta took over and Alonso needs to switch back again.Alonso's Chelsea love fast openings Getty ImagesOpta data shows that with Morgan Rogers’ goal inside two minutes today, Chelsea became the first Premier League team in history to score within the first five minutes of their opening three games of the season.Rapid.Dissecting that Rice/Rogers moment...SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementAnd Arsenal fans are happyArsenal fans have taken to the Discuss tab to summarise the game from their point of view.Freddie M: HUGE WIN against a good team. Chelsea good in the first half, but had nothing but whining in the second. All in all, the game shows the difference in quality between the champions and Chelsea. The more handsome Basque won. Great game from everyone on the Arsenal side, despite going behind early, no one gave up and we stuck to our plan. On to the next one.CJ P: Great match to both sides. To get the early second goal and then lock down the rest of the way was satisfying to see.Mo B: 2.11 to 0.35 on XG. Random flukey goal — followed by nothing for 90 mins. Should have been 3-1 or 4-1.Vern X: Great game. Could have gone the other way to be honest.Arthur K: Chelsea were good, good win honestly, deserved win for us. Chelsea have signs of a good future in front of them, trust Xabi and they will have a proper Chelsea like that side that was a factor 10-15 years ago.A statement win for Arsenal Getty ImagesAside from keeping their 100 per cent record intact for the new season, that was a statement Arsenal win as the first time they have come from behind to beat Chelsea since 2011. According to Opta, that ends a run of 14 without a victory when behind against their London rivals.Konsa: ‘Fantastic’ reaction to early Chelsea goal Getty ImagesEzri Konsa made his first Arsenal start today and produced a crucial sliding challenge on former team-mate Morgan Rogers in the second half. Here's what he had to say to Sky Sports after his side's win. 💬 “I felt at home from the first day that I joined. The boys have been top and the staff have been top. “I'm buzzing to make my debut at home and three points is the most important thing. “Over here (at Arsenal) I know we're big on clean sheets so it was disappointing (to concede early). But it's about how you react and we reacted fantastically.”And over to Odegaard's team-mate Ezri Konsa...