Martin Ødegaard struck the decisive goal as Arsenal came from behind to beat London rivals Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, recording his first match-winning goal since the final Premier League game of the 2024/25 campaign.
Arsenal had entered the game without conceding in the new season, but that record lasted less than two minutes. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for Chelsea with a well-placed volley following a chaotic sequence from a free-kick. The goal also made Chelsea the first team in Premier League history to score within the first five minutes of each of their opening three league matches.
Arsenal almost responded immediately from another set piece. Ødegaard delivered dangerously towards the near post, but Riccardo Calafiori failed to connect properly, while Emiliano Martínez managed to retain possession after taking a heavy-looking kick to the head from Gabriel Magalhães.
Martínez then appeared vulnerable at another set piece, allowing Calafiori to pounce on a loose ball and seemingly restore parity. However, VAR intervened after determining that Ezri Konsa had touched the ball while in an offside position, leading to the goal being ruled out.
The Gunners kept pressing, with Bukayo Saka forcing a save with a powerful effort towards the near post. Chelsea also threatened, as Cole Palmer and Reece James tested David Raya with efforts from distance. Arsenal eventually got their reward when former Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz found a way past Martínez to bring the hosts level.
The comeback was later completed by Ødegaard, who delivered the match-winning moment to seal a 2-1 victory for Arsenal.
