Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal have continued their dominant form from last season, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea in a high-stakes London derby this Sunday. Despite falling behind early, the Gunners rallied to claim their third consecutive win of the campaign, having already dispatched Coventry City and Aston Villa. This latest result leaves the title holders with a perfect nine points from three matches, having conceded only a single goal so far.
The victory served as a significant test for Mikel Arteta’s side, particularly against a Chelsea team that has invested nearly £350m in new personnel since the conclusion of the previous season. Arsenal’s response was led by established stars Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, who both found the net to overturn the deficit. Their performance underscored the squad’s resilience, earning praise from former Premier League winner Chris Sutton, who remarked to Sport that he currently cannot see anyone stopping Arsenal.
The club’s success comes despite a summer transfer window where they spent approximately £200m on reinforcements but ultimately failed to secure the marquee forward they had targeted. The club’s recruitment efforts included interest in former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, who opted for a move to Atletico Madrid, as well as Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. Ultimately, Rogers completed a transfer to Chelsea, while Barcola joined Liverpool and Vinicius Jr remained in Spain.
Arsenal’s ability to secure results without those specific additions highlights the strength of their existing core, which ended a 22-year wait for the league title in 2025-26. By maintaining this momentum, the Gunners have signaled their intent to defend their crown, proving that their top-tier players remain capable of stepping up in crucial moments against high-spending opposition. The report also notes that when they celebrated their first Premier League title for 22 years, yet reigning champions Arsenal have started this season as strongly as they finished 2025-26.
