Three matches in and Arsenal have began the season in formidable form, winning all three of their opening matches and sitting in joint top position in the table with Manchester City. Their goal conceded against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday was the first this season with the Gunners coming agonisingly close to equalling a 102 year club record. The record in question was amazingly the last time that the Gunners won their first three matches in the league without conceding was over a hundred years ago back in 1924-25. Sunday's opponents, Chelsea, came into the game on a similar path to the Gunners, winning their first two matches under new manager, Xabi Alonso and displaying a potency that they lacked in previous seasons. The home fans had barely time to settle in their seats when a second-minute Morgan Rogers goal saw Chelsea grab an early lead in the game and put the Gunners on the back foot. Mikel Arteta's team then thought they had levelled the scores in the 12th minute when Riccardo Calafiori poked the ball across the line after a Declan Rice free-kick caused chaos inside the box, VAR ruled the goal out however after spotting an offside in the build up. Just over 10 minutes later, Arsenal responded when Kai Havertz expertly finished a Declan Rice pass in the 25th minute to haunt his former club once again. As a box to box half came to an end with Chelsea hitting the post courtesy of a Pedro Neto strike it had the promise of more goals in the second half.
Odergaard
The fans were witness again to a early goal in the second half as this time it was the hosts turn to grab the lead as Christos Tzolis delivered a clever pass into the area which Havertz cleverly dummied, allowing it to run into the path of Martin Odegaard who had made a late run into the box and he coolly guided his shot past a diving Emiliano Martinez to register his third goal in four games this campaign. Martinez and David Raya both pulled off big saves in the match but it was Arsenal who prevailed to maintain their 100% start to the season.
Arteta when asked in his post match interview about the performance of his team said, "I thought it was an exceptional performance. I enjoyed every minute from beginning to end. The beginning was tough, but I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way. The conviction, determination, quality and intent we showed to help them constantly - it was beautiful. It was a fascinating game I think for the spectator as well, and I think we deserved to win the game which I’m really pleased with, obviously."
Champions league
On Wednesday 9th September, Arsenal switch their focus away from the league and on to the qualifying from the group stages of the Champions League. They are away to 2026 Serie A runners up, Napoli in the opening game and a visit to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona awaits Mikel Arteta's team. Managed by Massimiliano Allegri, Napoli are among the Serie A elite clubs with four league titles, six Coppe Italia, Three Supercoppe Italia and one UEFA cup. Their history includes also a sucessful spell when the famous Diego Maradona, the world's best player at that time joined the Gli Azzurri, helping them to their first and second league titles ever in 1987 and 1990. Maradona is revered by the Neapolitans who witnessed their team reach new heights in Serie A and on the European stage and to this day, murals and memorabilia showcase his legacy in the Italian city and beyond. Arsenal have faced Napoli twice in the competition, winning 2-0 at home in October 2013 and losing 2-0 away in Naples in the return in December that year. The Gunners however will hope to echo their performance in the Champions League last season when they won all 8 group matches setting a new club record.
