REUTERS/Tony O Brien
In their quest to win the Premier League for a successive year, Arsenal have laid down their first big statement of the new season.
Just three weeks into the campaign, Chelsea have been billed as the Gunners' closest challengers and on the evidence of the first two minutes, you could see why.
Xabi Alonso has concocted a menacing front three consisting of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers. They're a fearsome trio and will no doubt run through plenty of sides this season.
Reuters/Paul Childs
Against Arsenal, however, the best defence in Europe, they were not able to have the same success as they've enjoyed in the early weeks of the season when they beat Fulham and Brighton.
How Morgan Rogers performed against Arsenal
It was inevitable, wasn't it? Rogers was always going to score at the Emirates Stadium after how this summer played out.
During the World Cup, it quickly became apparent that the England international was Arsenal's top target to bolster their forward line. Indeed, even before those rumours regarding Vinicius Junior came about, Rogers was looked at first.
REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Arsenal thought they could do a deal. The player was reportedly keen on making it happen too. However, after dilly-dallying over matters, Andrea Berta lost out on his man.
The Gunners had done all of the legwork necessary on this move but when Chelsea came calling, telling Aston Villa they would pay £117m, it blew the champions out of the water. Villa gave Arsenal the chance to match the bid but they moved on.
So, on his first visit to north London since that saga, Rogers had a point to prove. Here's what you could have had, Mikel Arteta.
Rogers scored just two minutes in, slamming the ball past David Raya and then bursting off to celebrate in front of the home support. Point proved.
Despite that goal, however, this was not the 24-year-old's finest outing. He will certainly have easier days. Here's why.
£55m Arsenal star dominates Rogers at the Emirates
This summer, Arsenal had two big priorities: to bolster the midfield, which they did with the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes and to sign an elite forward. They tried with Rogers, Vinicius Junior and Co, to no avail.
However, in worrying circumstances, a third priority soon emerged as the World Cup finished. William Saliba picked up a back injury. He was going to miss a lengthy period of time at the beginning of the new season.
REUTERS/Paul Rutherford
So, the Gunners needed to act quickly. They wanted cover. Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah was looked at, as was Aston Villa's vice captain, Ezri Konsa.
It was Konsa they picked, bringing the centre-back to the English capital to the tune of £55m. It's an exceptional signing. Aged 28, like Guimaraes, the defender is Premier League-proven. This was a player who was not going to take long to get up to speed.
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Lo and behold, on his first start for the Gunners, he proved that point expertly. While Konsa made his official debut last Monday against his former employers, this was the first real sighting supporters had of him. What a job he did.
REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Against one of the best forward lines in the English top flight, Konsa did not put a foot wrong. In true Saliba-esque fashion, he completed 95% of his passes. So calm and composed from the back, this was one of the main reasons Arsenal signed him.
However, as fans discovered on Sunday evening, he's also phenomenal physicalyl. That should be no surprise; last term he won 67.1% of his duels, more than Gabriel (65.2%) and Saliba (56.7%).
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Konsa vs Chelsea
Minutes played
Accurate passes
Touches
Ground duels won
Aerial duels won
Defensive contributions
Ball recoveries
Interceptions
Clearances
Tackles
The way he dealt with his old Villa clubmate Rogers was truly emphatic. There was a moment in the second half when the Chelsea forward looked to burst forward but Konsa came across with a huge tackle. He timed it to perfection and won the ball. "It was a very English tackle", Arteta said after the game. "I think you guys love that more than a goal sometimes," he joked.
Indeed, it prompted quite the reaction from the Emirates faithful who have already taken a real liking to the centre-back.
Reuters/Paul Childs
During his 90-minute outing, he made ten defensive contributions, more than Gabriel's tally of seven, while he won eight of his 12 duels all told.
It was such a classy display, such a statement performance on your Arsenal debut. At this rate, Saliba may even struggle to get back into the team.
After an iffy first year as Arsenal's recruitment chief for Berta, signing the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi - inconsistent figures - it looks like Konsa, the colossal defender, could be his best signing yet. This is about as win-now as it gets for Arsenal. He will certainly make them a better team.
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