THEY’RE not just “Set Piece FC” any more.
But they’re still the best in the land, perhaps by a country mile.
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And while Xabi Alonso and Chelsea were not humiliated at the Emirates, the gap between champions and early-season pretenders still seems a chasm.
Last term, acclamation for Mikel Arteta’s side came with caveats attached.
Dull to watch. Too controlled and formulaic. Overly reliant on their dead-ball prowess.
Not that any of that mattered when Martin Odegaard raised the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park in May. Joy and delight were the emotions.
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Yet on a September afternoon which showcased how Arteta has released the handbrake and told his team to win AND entertain, the sense that the Gunners are ready to embark on a campaign to attack, rather then merely defend, their crown, was hard to avoid.
For the first time this season – indeed, the first time since the eventually illusory defeat at City in April – Arteta’s team went behind, a punch in the solar plexus from Morgan Rogers, plucked from their grasp by Chelsea’s £117m bid.
Rogers ended battered and baited, sent flying both legitimately by Ezri Konsa and less fairly by Declan Rice, receiving a booking for his protests and the bird from the home fans.
What followed that goal, though, was instructive and enthralling.
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Vibrant attacking football, swift passing, intensity and conviction, to end with the Arsenal only trailing Enzo Maresca’s new team at the summit on goals scored after three straight wins.
And in the crucial moments, poise and certainty when they had to pull the trigger.
Kai Havertz, a bundle of invention, deservedly pulled them level – although Emi Martinez will not be alone in reflecting that he might have done better – fitting reward for their determination to get back on the front foot.
And when Odegaard ghosted through a gap the width of the Channel Tunnel – created by Havertz’ gorgeous sleight of foot which left Wesley Fofana a befuddled mess – to fire home five minutes into the second half, it never really looked as if Chelsea would find a way to get back on terms.
That is not to dismiss the industry of Alonso’s side.
They will be fantastic going forward, lightning on the counter, with Joao Pedro a constant menace – as he showed by winning the free-kick that led to that early opener.
Rogers’ volley was top drawer – although the bout of head tennis that preceded it was less glorious – Cole Palmer had his moments, Pedro Neto hit the post just before the interval.
Joao Pedro gave Ezri Konsa a tough full debut, especially in the opening 45 minutes.
Sunday 6 September
Arsenal
2 – 1
EPL
Chelsea
Saturday 12 September
Bournemouth
15:00
EPL
Brentford
Villa
15:00
EPL
Forest
Chelsea
15:00
EPL
Hull
Palace
15:00
EPL
Ipswich
Liverpool
15:00
EPL
Fulham
Sunday 6 September
Arsenal
2 – 1
EPL
Chelsea
Everton
2 – 2
EPL
Man Utd
Saturday 5 September
Hull
0 – 0
EPL
Villa
Forest
0 – 0
EPL
Spurs
Man City
1 – 0
EPL
Coventry
Fulham
2 – 3
EPL
Palace
English Premier League
Pld
Pts
GD
W
D
L
Form
1
3
9
5
3
0
0
2
3
9
5
3
0
0
3
3
7
3
2
1
0
4
3
6
1
2
0
1
5
3
5
3
1
2
0
6
3
5
2
1
2
0
7
3
5
2
1
2
0
8
3
5
2
1
2
0
Yet they are defensively vulnerable, far too vulnerable to be realistic challengers for the title.
Three games played, seven goals conceded. Eight scored, yes, but you can’t keep on playing a high-wire act without falling off now and again.
And the fall could have been harder and faster, too, had Arsenal taken all the opportunities their fluency and invention carved out.
Arteta will recognise this was a proper test, especially after Chelsea went ahead so early, when Arsenal failed to deal with Reece James’ free-kick and Rogers sent his 20-yarder past the slow-reacting David Raya.
But one his side passed, with flying colours, taking the reins and pushing Chelsea deeper and deeper, forcing errors until, eventually, the Blue dam broke.
Alonso’s response to Arsenal’s corner threat – sending four players towards the halk-way line to prevent the red shirts flooding the box – did work.
They were far less convincing as inventive free-kicks, first from Odegaard, then from Declan Rice, should have brought parity.
Riccardo Calafiori’s air-shot squandered the initial opening – Gabriel was lucky to avoid sanction for a stray into Martinez’ head.
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Then when the Italian did convert from the next one, scrambling home, VAR rightly spotted Konsa was clearly offside when he hit the post in the build-up.
But it was delaying the inevitable and – after moments of danger at the other end involving James, Palmer and Joao Pedro – Arsenal were on terms.
Havertz, his movement outstanding, received from Rice, wide on the right.
It should have been dealt with but he was able to float in unchallenged, Maxence Lacroix the final man in dereliction, before squeezing between Martinez and his left-hand upright. The keeper should have done better.
Chelsea responded, Rogers wide from 16 yards after linking with Joao Pedro, before the half ended with Neto, scampering down the right and seeing his left footer travel beyond Raya but thud against the post.
Yet there was no real answer, until it was far too late, to the decisive moment as Arsenal switched the ball from right to left, Calafiori finding Christos Tzolis.
The Greek played towards Havertz, whose dummy left Fofana a statue as Odegaard ploughed through the gap before smashing past the exposed Martinez. A brilliant goal.
Arsenal were happy to hold what they had, backing Raya to save, gather and punch.
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They know they can do that, too.
The Spaniard parried one effort from Palmer and then, two minutes from time, flew high to his right to deny a superb strike from Estevao.
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