Arsenal boss’ scary warning after electric comeback win
Mikel Arteta warned Arsenal are ready to go to a “higher level” this season after the Premier League champions joined Manchester City at the top of the table with a 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea on Monday (AEST).
Chelsea’s record signing Morgan Rogers ignited the glamour London derby with a volleyed goal after just 77 seconds, but the steely hosts weren’t rattled one bit.
Morgan Rogers of Chelsea reacts with Declan Rice of Arsenal. Getty Images
Kai Havertz equalised in the 25th minute before captain Martin Odegaard finished a lovely movement for what proved to be the winner five minutes into the second half.
“I think it’s an indication for us of how capable we are to perform at an even higher level than last season,” Arteta told reporters.
“And it depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humbleness and continue every day to try to find a better version of myself and the team. We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer, and this is the ambition of the team.”
City and Arsenal are the only teams to have won all three games, with Lucas Herrington’s Hull City the surprise packet in third on seven points.
“It’s super hard, and the margin is that you win games, and we’ve seen that. We went to Villa Park a few days ago, and it was a really tough one, and today again. We know every week it’s going to be like this, but that’s what we prepare for,” Arteta said.
Chelsea were always a threat in an absorbing, high-octane duel and substitute Estevao was denied a late equaliser by a superb save from David Raya.
Chelsea’s first dropped points left them on six.
Chelsea's free-scoring start to the season under new manager Xabi Alonso had marked them out as potential title rivals to Arsenal and that still might well be the case.
But despite a dream start, they were overpowered by their great rivals, who were clearly seeking to make a statement, and could have few complaints as their winless run against Arsenal stretched to 12 in all competitions.
“It was a big game, massive game, tough opponent, and we got there in the end so brilliant,” Odegaard said.
“Our mentality is to keep fighting. We have shown that many times. We never want to concede early, but the reaction is top.”
Chelsea spent an extraordinary summer making 11 signings for a total of $655 million and selling 17 players as part of yet another rebuild under yet another manager.
Arsenal’s off-season, on the other hand, was one of stability and Arteta’s side have quickly found the rhythm and efficiency that took them to their first title in 22 years.
They did concede their first goal of the season though, meaning promoted Hull now boast the only perfect defensive record after three games of the campaign.
England midfielder Rogers, a $220 million signing from Aston Villa, stunned the home faithful as he swung his right foot at a dropping ball to place a volley past Raya.
The goal made Chelsea the first team in Premier League history to score inside the first five minutes of their first three games of the season and lit the fuse for a breathless opening period on a balmy afternoon in north London.
Arsenal thought they had levelled shortly afterwards when Riccardo Calafiori bundled in after Ezri Konsa's effort had come back off the post in a goalmouth scramble, but a VAR check adjudged Konsa to have been offside.
The hosts swarmed forward though and Bukayo Saka was denied by Emi Martinez.
Chelsea’s rearguard creaked and then buckled when their former striker Havertz cut in from the right and his low left-foot shot crept in past Martinez.
Chelsea's counter-attacking style almost rewarded them in first-half stoppage time as Pedro Neto's shot hit the post.
Arsenal began the second half strongly and grabbed the lead when Christos Tzolis's ball in from the left was dummied by Havertz and Odegaard planted a shot high into the net.
The points never looked totally secure for Arteta’s side, and it needed Raya to turn over Estevao’s dipping effort to ensure their perfect start to the season continued.
While it was a reality check for Alonso's side, there were plenty of positives for the visitors.
“They are hard to beat, they are hard to create chances (against), but we had three or four chances to score more than one goal. This is a process. It’s still early days for us,” Alonso said.
“Not happy that we couldn’t get anything, but we need to keep calm and carry on.”
Meanwhile, frustrated Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says his team is hurting after conceding with virtually the last kick of the game in a 2-2 draw at Everton.
United twice led after goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, but conceded in the 96th minute as Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored with a scorching drive from 32 metres to snatch a point.
Everton’s first goal from Tyrique George was also a fine strike and Carrick was left to rue his side’s misfortune at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
"They're two fantastic strikes from in and outside the box, so they don't go in too often. I thought we did a lot of good things in the game to get us in the position we were in twice,” he told the BBC.
“Some of our attacking play was really good, and we looked dangerous and did a lot of things that we were trying to do. And for the most part, I thought we dealt with them quite well.
“It hurts as we came here to win, and we put ourselves in a good position.”
Carrick withdrew Marcus Rashford on 70 minutes after a lively performance on the left wing.
“He felt a little bit of something, so we had to change him,” Carrick said.
“We had good connections pretty much all over the pitch at different times of the game, and Marcus and Luke Shaw have played together for a long period of time and have a good understanding.
"And you can see that, they look really dangerous down that side, and there's obviously more to come."
United next host Sabah from Azerbaijan in the Champions League on Friday (AEST).
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