Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Player ratings as Gunners come from behind in sublime fashion

Arsenal fought from a goal down to defeat London rivals Chelsea 2-1 and continue their perfect start to the Premier League season.

Mikel Arteta made just one change to the side that defeated Aston Villa last time out, bringing in Ezri Konsa for his first start as he replaced the injured Cristhian Mosquera on the right side of the central defensive pairing.

It was a disastrous start for the Gunners as Chelsea took the lead after just two minutes and it as their summer transfer target Morgan Rogers who fired the visitors in front. A free kick was swung into the box, but the hosts didn't clear it well, allowing the number 17 to fire a volley in from the edge of the area.

The North Londoners wasted no time in hitting back and after plenty of attacking, they though they had found their equaliser when Riccardo Calafiori tucked it away after a goalmouth scramble, but Konsa was deemed to have been obstructing Emiliano Martinez, which saw the goal ruled out.

Arsenal continued their charge for a leveller and they did get it after 25 minutes when Kai Havertz latched onto a pass from Declan Rice to cut inside from the right flank and beat Martinez with a well-taken strike into the bottom corner.

Chelsea found their feet again after sustaining a period of pressure and they almost retook their lead moments before half-time when Pedro Neto darted in from the right side to unleash a low effort towards the far corner, but it struck the post and was cleared, meaning there was nothing to separate the two London sides at the break.

The Gunners replicated the manner in which they went behind with a strike just minutes after the restart when Christos Tzolis played a pass in for Havertz to dummy through to Martin Ødegaard, who raced in to the box to collect the ball and fire past a helpless Martinez.

Fresh off the bench, Martín Zubimendi had a great chance to make it three, but he made the wrong decision as he cut on to his right when the correct decision was to fire with his left. Saka then saw a troubling shot saved well by Martinez.

Chelsea did push to bring themselves on level terms, but were thwarted by Gabriel, who stood firm to block a long-range strike from Reece James with his head, clearing the danger.

David Raya came to his side's rescue right at the death as Estêvão struck a brilliant effort towards the far top corner, but the Spaniard got across in incredible fashion to get a hand to it and tip it over the crossbar.

Arsenal managed to keep Chelsea at bay for the four minutes of stoppage time to secure what could prove to be a monumental victory over the side that are tipped to challenge them for the Premier League title this season.

Here are the Gunners' player ratings from their London derby win.

Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7.5/10 - Maybe should have done better with Rogers' opener as he failed to get down to save it. Solid from that point though, doing really well to claim crosses and catch shots. Made an incredible save right at the death.

Ben White (RB) - 7.5/10 - Played a great pass over the top for Tzolis to run on to and create a chance. Offered constant support on the overlap as he linked up well with Saka down the right once again.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 7.5/10 - Interfered with play from an offside position leading his side's leveller to be disallowed. Made a brilliant sliding tackle to prevent a quick counterattack as he dispossessed Rogers.

Gabriel Magalhães (CB) - 7.5/10 - Handled Pedro really well throughout the game, frustrating his fellow Brazilian. Dealt with crosses coming in in good fashion when Raya wasn't first to them. Headed a goal bound strike from James away from danger.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 7.5/10 - Thought he scored the equaliser but saw it ruled out by VAR. Involved in his side's second goal as he played the ball to Tzolis in the build-up. Withdrawn after the hour mark.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 8/10 - Played a clever disguised low ball from a free kick, but it didn't pay off with Calafiori missing it. Put his side in front when he raced on to a pass from Tzolis and worked into space before firing past Martinez. Subbed for the late stages.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - 7.5/10 - Really good with the ball at his feet to break away from some tricky situations and get moves going. Brought off with just under 25 minutes left to play.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7.5/10 - Assisted Havertz for their side's equaliser. Pretty solid in midfield throughout but his set piece deliveries weren't always as troubling as usual. One almost paid off though with James forced to clear away a flick-on.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 7.5/10 - Saw a shot from a tight angle saved well by Martinez. Linked up with White well down the right side, allowing him extra time to assess options. Denied again by the Chelsea 'keeper, this time from range. Taken off prior to stoppage time.

Kai Havertz (ST) - 8/10 - Pulled his side level with a great cut inside and low driven shot into the bottom corner, beating Martinez. Dummied Tzolis' pass in for Ødegaard to latch on to and fire his side in front. Replaced late on.

Christos Tzolis (LW) - 7.5/10 - Linked up brilliantly with his captain to set him up with a great pass inside for the second goal. Booked for requesting Lacroix be shown a yellow card after being taken down.

Substitutes

• Piero Hincapié (on 66' for Calafiori) - 6.5/10
• Martín Zubimendi (on 66' for Lewis-Skelly) -6.5 /10
• Viktor Gyökeres (on 77' for Havertz) - 6/10
• Mikel Merino (on 77' for Ødegaard) - 6/10
• Noni Madueke (on 90' for Saka) - N/A

Player of the match: Martin Ødegaard

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