Mikel Arteta could not hide his delight after Arsenal’s comeback victory over Chelsea. The 2-1 win at the Emirates on Sunday gave the champions their third straight Premier League victory and underlined just how dangerous this side remains.
Kai Havertz equalised after an early Morgan Rogers strike for the visitors. Captain Martin Ødegaard then fired the winner to complete a dominant second-half display. Arteta praised the reaction, calling the performance exceptional and full of conviction.
The manager believes his players can push beyond the levels that delivered last season’s title. He told reporters the display showed the squad’s capacity for an even higher standard, provided they maintain the same desire.
Arsenal began the campaign with a comfortable win over promoted Coventry before grinding out a 1-0 result at Aston Villa. The Chelsea game represented the most complete showing so far. The team overcame an early setback with composure and quality that has become a hallmark under Arteta.
Midfield strength shines through
The summer window brought significant reinforcements. Bruno Guimarães arrived from Newcastle for a reported £75 million to partner Declan Rice. Ezri Konsa joined from Aston Villa for around £55 million to bolster central defence. Christos Tzolis, signed from Club Brugge for £34 million, has already shown promise on the flanks.
These additions have given Arteta more options and depth. The early results suggest the new faces are settling quickly and contributing to a fluid, attacking approach that stretches opponents.
Ødegaard’s renewed forward runs have added another dimension. The Norwegian has been pivotal in creating overloads and threatening the box, helping Arsenal maintain their intensity even after losing attacking options in the transfer window.
Why this start matters
Defending the Premier League title is never straightforward. Manchester City remain the only other side with a perfect record after three games. Chelsea’s new-look side under Xabi Alonso arrived with momentum but left with a reality check.
For Arsenal supporters, the early signs point to a squad that has learned from last season’s experiences. The conviction Arteta highlighted is exactly what will be needed across a long campaign that also includes a Champions League campaign.
The team flew to Naples on Tuesday for their opening group-stage fixture, arriving late after air-traffic disruption but still focused on extending their strong form. With the manager setting the bar even higher, the message is clear: this Arsenal side is not content to stand still.