Chelsea’s perfect start to the season in the Premier League came to an end on Sunday afternoon as they went down 2-1 to the reigning champions Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Morgan Rogers gave Xabi Alonso’s side a shock lead after just 77 seconds before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard steered the hosts’ recovery either side of the interval.
This is Alonso’s first defeat during his era at West London and leaves the Blues on six points from three matchweeks. Arsenal maintained their 100% record and are now level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table, with City ahead on goal difference.
The opener for Rogers came from a free-kick into the deep Arsenal area. Jorrel Hato eventually got his head to it, putting it in the path of the England international to unleash from distance. Riccardo Calafiori thought he had equalised in the 12th minute, but the goal was ruled out when VAR ruled Ezri Konsa offside in the build-up.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 25th minute, with Havertz cutting infield from the right and drilling a low effort past Emiliano Martinez at his near post. Pedro Neto went agonisingly close to restoring the lead on the stroke of half-time, his curling effort hitting the base of the upright and bouncing away.
The game was wrapped up five minutes into the second half when Odegaard had a smart dummy from Havertz to thank as he was fed the ball by Christos Tzolis and slotted past Martinez. Chelsea created 13 attempts in the contest but mustered a poor expected goals tally of 0.35, more a reflection of the quality of chances created than the industry. David Raya produced a stunning 89th-minute save to deny Estevao the visitors’ final real opportunity.
The loss means Chelsea have now gone 12 matches without a win against Arsenal, their last victory coming in August 2021, when they won 2-0. Alonso’s side host Leeds United in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday before taking on newly promoted Hull City at Stamford Bridge next weekend.
Morgan Rogers Justifies His British Record Fee vs Arsenal
Morgan Rogers’ goal had a certain resonance. Arsenal had made him their number one forward target in the summer but had baulked at the price Aston Villa quoted. Chelsea eventually signed the forward for £117m, making him the most expensive British footballer ever, ahead of Elliot Anderson’s £116m move to Manchester City.
The 24-year-old, who signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, has now been involved in a goal or assist in each of the Blues’ first three league games. He scored on his Fulham debut, laid on the assist for Neto’s second against Brighton, and now has breached Raya’s goal in north London.
But his afternoon was marred by acrimony. A yellow card for a clash with Declan Rice was followed by a chorus of jeers when he was replaced by Danny Welbeck in the 87th minute. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough are set to pocket around £20.3m thanks to the sell-on clause negotiated when they sold him to Villa in January 2024.