Same old, same old for Chelsea, will they ever beat Arsenal again?
After a blistering start, Chelsea yet again left the Emirates Stadium empty handed after goals from former player Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard for Arsenal.
It was Chelsea however who took the lead. Inside just two minutes, following some head tennis the ball dropped to new signing Morgan Rogers on the edge of Arsenal's penalty area and he volleyed first time low into the bottom left corner of the goal just beyond David Raya's reach.
That lead would last just 23 minutes, when Kai Havertz (who has a complicated Chelsea legacy) collected the ball on the edge of the box and similarly to Chelsea's goal, his shot into the bottom right corner was just out of goalkeeper Emi Martinez's reach.
Chelsea needed a big second half but it started badly when after five minutes they found themselves behind, Martin Odegaard finishing off a sweeping Arsenal move in the box. Though Chelsea fans will point out a foul on Rogers in the build-up when Ezri Konsa literally lifted him off his feet.
Chelsea fans will feel aggrieved about many decisions that went against them and it will do little to relieve the feeling Arsenal get an easy time from officials. Gabriel could have received a red card for a boot to Martinez's head following a goal mouth scramble. Rogers was fouled by Declan Rice in the build-up of a Chelsea attack, yet it was Rogers who was booked for his reaction.
Arsenal fans however will no doubt point to Califiori's disallowed goal when Gabriel was adjudged to have been offside.
The positives for Chelsea were they did create good chances most notably in the first half. David Raya in the Arsenal goal made good saves from Cole Palmer, Reece James and Estevao. Pedro Neto also had an effort that hit the post.
The concern for Chelsea as ever is the defence. They never looked comfortable at the back and after Chelsea took the lead, it looked inevitable Arsenal would equalise. Jorrel Hato in particular had a horrid time trying to guard Chelsea's left flank.
In three premier league games this season, Chelsea have scored eight goals but they have conceded seven. If they can't tighten up at the back, it will be another long season for the Blues.
Chelsea Team: Martinez 6, Fofana 5, La Croix 7, Acheampong 6, Neto 7 (Estevao 81') , James 6, Lavia 6 (Gusto 60', 5), Hato 5 (Chavarria 60', 6), Palmer 6, Rogers 7 (Welbeck 87'), Pedro 5
Unused Subs: Barco, Gittens, Penders, Colwill, Quenda
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