[Arsenal’s 2-1 London Derby win over Chelsea](https://football360.com.au/arsenal-chelsea-score-result-everton-man-utd-maitland-niles-highlights-premier-league/) was the first big examination of their title defence and also a litmus test for Xabi Alonso early in his rebuild at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Chelsea coming out of the blocks via Morgan Rogers’ stunning opening goal, the Gunners showed how formidable a unit they have become in taking three points, while Alonso saw the work he still has left to do with his side.
For SuperCoach EPL managers, there’s a bit to ponder if you’re selecting heavily from the London based sides.
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There was a lot of talk centred on Arsenal’s attack prior to the transfer deadline, with wantaway Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez a target and especially after the departures of Gabriel Jesus (Barcelona) and Gabriel Martinelli (Al-Hilal).
Alvarez did not arrive by the close of the window last week. But, no matter. Just look at the London Derby.
Kai Havertz scored another big-game goal and earned 15 week-three points – a significant result for his 3.5% ownership, and Martin Odegaard found the back of the net as the Gunners overcame an early deficit.
“He looks happy, he looks settled, he looks happy, his personal life, some great things have happened as well, he feels fit, he’s training every day, he has this routine right now, and he’s scoring goals, and not only that, but it’s been an amazing work for the team,” said Arteta.
If you have Odegaard in your team, well done. In three Premier League appearances this season (two goals), the Norwegian midfielder has doubled his Premier League goal tally in the entirety of last season (1 in 24 apps).
“He’s fit, he feels confident, I think one of the highest that I’ve seen him, and he has a point to prove from last season as well, and after missing so much football,” Arteta told reporters of Odegaard post-match.
“When that happens, Kai the same, Bukayo (Saka) the same, we miss so many attacking players last season for long, long periods, and I don’t know how many times they’ve played together those two in the last year or so, but probably not much, and when you start to feel the chemistry they have between them and what they can produce, it’s great.
“For me, he gets to that point because he’s enjoying his football, and when you are that, you have to enjoy what you do, you have to play with real intent, and that’s what I love to see him today, he was running forward, he took shots, he created so many situations for his teammates, so it was great.”
It is crazy to think Myles Lewis-Skelly was linked with a move away from the Emirates. Manchester United and Chelsea were reportedly offered the 19-year-old sensation.
The most important thing for Arteta and Arsenal fans is that he is still a Gunners player. He has been an ever-present at the start of 2026-27, and showcased his qualities again in one of the biggest fixtures on the Premier League calendar.
Lewis-Skelly became the first English teenager to start each of Arsenal’s first three Premier League games of a season.
Listed as a defender on SuperCoach, the teenager looked comfortable in Arsenal’s midfield against Chelsea and continues to keep Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimaraes out of the XI.
Given his cheap fee, which has since increased by £930,000 since the start of the season, he could be one of the signings of the SuperCoach campaign – especially for those managers who got him early before his price increased 24% to £4,830,000 after just three match weeks.
Arsenal not only have depth in their title defence, but Arteta has a solution for virtually every problem through the opening three rounds of the Premier League season.
The titleholders found themselves 1-0 down inside two minutes. By the 25th, they were on level terms. Then, Odegaard put the hosts ahead within five minutes of the second-half restart.
With a narrow lead, Arteta used his bench well. Martin Zubimendi was introduced for Lewis-Skelly after the hour to take more control, and it worked. Viktor Gyokeres replaced goalscorer Havertz with 12 minutes remaining.
Then there is Ezri Konsa. The England international was prised from Aston Villa following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with William Saliba injured. The centre-back has barely put a foot wrong alongside Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
“I think it was an exceptional performance,” Arteta said “I I enjoyed every minute of it from the beginning to the end, and the beginning was tough, but I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way.
“The conviction, the determination, the quality of which I intend to have them constantly, it was beautiful. It was a fascinating game, I think, for the spectator as well, and I think we deserved to win the game, which I’m really pleased with, obviously.”
Has Enzo Fernandez’s British-record switch to Manchester City left a gaping hole in Chelsea’s midfield?
With Fernandez no longer at Stamford Bridge and Moises Caicedo injured, Xabi Alonso finished the match with a pair of fullbacks in midfield – star Reece James and Malo Gusto, who replaced Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea did try to sign Monaco’s Lamine Camara on deadline day but the transfer collapsed and on Monday (AEST), their midfield options, or lack thereof, were highlighted against the Premier League’s benchmark… even if Alonso won’t admit it.
If there’s a guarantee with Chelsea this season – it is goals… at both ends of the pitch.
Chelsea have scored eight goals and conceded seven after three matchdays in the Premier League.
The Blues’ back three consisted of new man Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong. Against Brighton and Hove Albion, Colwill was in defence alongside Lacroix and Fofana.
Alonso is still trying to find the perfect recipe, especially at the back.
In attack at least, Chelsea are providing value and points – from Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto, to Rogers.
Rogers is the first player to score or assist in each of Chelsea’s opening three matches of a Premier League season since Eden Hazard in 2018-19, and the first Englishman since Frank Lampard in 2002-03.
“My priority is to win games and for that, normally it’s easier when you don’t concede many goals. So for sure, this is something that we need to address. We want to do better, we want to be tighter, to be more clinical, more balanced. But this takes time as well,” Alonso told the press post-game.