Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (Havertz 25′, Odegaard 50′ | Rogers 2′)
EMIRATES — I don’t know if Arsenal and Chelsea are going to be the two best football teams in England this season, but on Sunday afternoon most in attendance would have delayed any evening plans to extend proceedings by an hour or two to find out.
It is no exaggeration to say that Arsenal played with more verve than we are used to and that they were more prone to being exposed too. It was rollicking fun and offered meaningful hope that the top of the Premier League may be a great deal more fun than in 2025-26.
Xabi Alonso has already proved his worth to the “Super Sunday” neutral. Much of elite club management over the last decade has been protecting weaknesses and maximising your chances of winning through several key moments. Alonso has one of the most exciting front threes in world football, an understaffed central midfield and a defence still learning the requirements of a new shape.
So what does he do? Tells the front three to score so many goals that it overshadows most other sins. Sees Arsenal’s famed corner threat, chuckles to himself and leaves four attacking players up the pitch. Picks Pedro Neto as a wing-back and tells him to play as a winger.
