7 September 2026
Sunday afternoon saw the biggest Premier League fixture of the season so far, with champions Arsenal holding off incumbent challengers Chelsea in an enthralling 2-1 win. Rivalries aside, this was a game of football at the highest level, with both teams demonstrating their quality in what was a pulsating encounter. Here are our key takeaways from the top of the table clash:
This Could Be Martin Ødegaard’s Season
Despite Arsenal’s greatest Premier League season for decades, their captain did not live up to his own high standards in the last campaign. Ødegaard struggled with injury and couldn’t really string a run of games together, and when he did play he was nowhere near the level that earned him the armband in the first place.
Now, after a stellar World Cup campaign with Norway, the talismanic figure looks like one of the best midifelders in the world again. Buoyed by the support of Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly behind him, as well as the added competition of Bruno Guimaraes, there is a healthy pressure that is bringing out the best of Martin Ødegaard. If he can stave off injury, this could be his most dominant year in an Arsenal shirt to date.
Emi Martinez Is An Instant Upgrade For Chelsea
Chelsea’s opening day thriller against Fulham demonstrated the need of an upgrade at the number 1 position. Robert Sanchez proved he was not suitable for the responsibility of playing in a Xabi Alonso side, and was quickly shipped off to Como after the arrival of Aston Villa’s shot stopper.
Even though Chelsea went 1-0 up, Arsenal created the better chances throughout the match and the visitors relied on their goalkeeper to keep them in the game. Despite the loss, the Blues will feel as if they went toe to toe with the best team in England, while if Sanchez was still guarding the net, the optimism surrounding their performance may have quickly dissipated.
Kai Havertz Is Finally Realising His Potential
It’s been an odd time in English football for Kai Havertz. Two high profile moves, two Champions League final goals, and two fanbases who haven’t quite warmed to the silky German. For a player of his stature, perhaps the English game was expecting much more of a back to goal, target man style player, but Havertz is proving his worth in the build up for Arsenal.
The arrival of Viktor Gyokeres last summer looked as if it spelled a new era for Arsenal, with Havertz falling by the wayside in order to accommodate the Swedish international. Instead, Gyokeres has found himself watching on from the sidelines, with the man he came in to replace netting the equaliser and delivering a delicious dummy for the winner. If he can keep up this chemistry with Ødegaard, Saka, and Tzolis, this could be the time that Kai becomes the main man for the Gunners.
It Might Be One Season Too Soon For JPMorgan
When Morgan Rogers fired Chelsea in front, the away supporters at The Emirates would have been sent into fever pitch. Much has been made of the combination of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and the new man from Aston Villa, with many discussing the idea that they may be the best front three in English football.
Instead, it proved that the wiliness and experience of Saka, Havertz, and Ødegaard, coupled with the mercurial Tzolis to round off Arsenal’s attacking quartet, proved far more potent than Chelsea’s front line. The visitors were mainly forced to settle for potshots from the edge of the box, which forced some smart saves from David Raya but ultimately proved fruitless.
The arrival of Moises Caicedo back from injury may end up helping JPMorgan through the Ecuadorian winning the ball back high up the pitch to create more chances for them, but it feels as if there are a few too many variables for Chelsea to reach the heights of their North London counterparts.