FA PREMIER LEAGUE 

ARSENAL 2 (Havertz 25, Odegaard 50) 

CHELSEA 1 (Rogers 2) 

THEY came in their droves with their tin foil European cups and a sense of optimism after a bright start to the season.

And it started so well for Chelsea with an early goal from Arsenal’s summer target Morgan Rogers.

But in the end it was business as usual for the mighty Arsenal against Chelsea who were sent back to west London after another reality check at the Emirates.

It is over six years since Arsenal lost to the Blues. And once again it was their old boy Kai Havertz who ensured the bragging rights stayed in North London.

The Arsenal frontman got the equaliser and calmy clipped an assist for what turned out to be the winner from Martin Odegaard.

The Gunners bossed a lot of the match and unlike many of the tougher matches last season played some easy on the eye football.

This was not a win ground-out through tough play and committed defending.

Some of the passing moves were magnificent and the rotation of the players will draw comparisions with the legendary total football of Ajax.

Chelsea did create quite a few good chances, and clearly their frontline will ensure they are there or thereabouts at the of the season.

After the match, manager Mikel Arteta said: “I think it was an exceptional performance.

“I think it is an indication for us for how capable we are and even higher than last season.

“Maintain that desire and humbleness. We have a lot of room to grow.”

The rousing North London Forever anthem hits particularly hard against our downmarket rivals from the Bridge.

But it was Chelsea who started with greater urgency.

The Rogers’s goal – accurately struck into David’s Raya’s near post – came after some hestitant opening play from the Gunners.

But Arsenal almost equalised immediately after a clever near post free kick that ended with a comedy goal mouth scramble that ended with Emi Martinez getting accidetnally kicked in the face by his old teammate Gabriel.

Ricardo Calafiori bundled in an equaliser that was judged offside due to two players crowding the keeper.

Despite being 1-0 down, Arsenal were looking like they would break Chelsea’s backline and Bukayo Saka had a good chance well saved, before his ball across the face was just cut out before it reached Havertz.

Minutes later, Havertz opted for a flick instead of shot after a mesmerising counter attack that was launched with a long raking pass from Raya – one of several hit by the keeper this afternoon.

Christos Tzolis – who played the full 90 and was arguably the man of the match – had picked out the Arsenal frontman in space but he chose a pass that didn’t quite work out.

The crowd sighed at the lack of confidence, but moments later he scored from outside the box with a goal that seemed to almost peeroll into the net past Martinez.

The former Arsenal bench warmer turned World Cup winner seemed slow to get down – perhaps a little out of it after his kick to the head.

There was some sublime approach play too in this thriller of a match.

Havertz quite regularly found himself of the right side of attack, filling in for Saka, while Calafiori drifted into to central midfield.

The left back put in another massive shift and looks on top form at the moment.

Ezri Konsa did make a few mistakes, perhaps not quite up to speed with all nuances of Arteta’s instructions.

In the second half – after Odegaard had just scored with a calmly placed shot from the central of the box over Martinez – Konsa put in thumping challenge on Joao Pedro that got the loudest cheer of the match.

The stadium was pumping and Arsenal looked like would get a couple more goals.

But Chelsea were always a threat.

Cole Palmer had a good shot stopped by Raya who later acrobatically tipped over a fierce shot from Estevao.

Martin Zubimendi and Pierro Hincapie were brought on on, before Mikel Merino, to sure things up.

Gabriel made two massive headed clearances in a frantic finish.

If Chelsea had equalised there probably would have been questions about the lack of front players bought in the summer transfer window.

But Arteta said: “No I think it’s no question that we have some great players. Can they improve?

“Yes, and they can have another version of themselves that’s even better than before.”

Eze, Dowman and Bruno did not get to play.

That’s nine out of nine points for Arsenal, who have played tougher fixtures than rivals Man City.

Next up in the Prem it’s Sunderland away on Saturday night.

Arsenal: Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori (Hincapie 67), Rice, Lewis-Skelly (Zubimendi 67), Saka (Madueke 90), Odegaard (Merino 77), Tzolis, Havertz (Gyokeres 78)
Subs unused:  Kepa, Eze, Guimaraes, Dowman