Midway through the second half at the Emirates, Martin Ødegaard collected the ball on the inside of the right flank and slipped a clever pass to Kai Havertz. Havertz’s flick set up a surging Bukayo Saka, whose low drive forced Chelsea keeper Emiliano Martínez to dive and parry the ball away from the far post.
The sequence was a textbook illustration of why Arsenal, now sitting on maximum points after a third consecutive victory, are beginning to feel the full benefits of having their three key attackers back on the pitch together. Before kickoff most of the pre‑match chatter centred on Chelsea’s new front three – João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer – and the question of how Mikel Arteta’s side would cope with their physicality and pace. The script seemed to be written when Rogers rattled the net just 77 seconds in, silencing the crowd and threatening to put Arsenal on the back foot. Yet the Gunners quickly regained composure, demonstrating that even without the summer signings of Vinícius Júnior, Julian Álvarez and other high‑profile forwards, they possess enough quality to keep the pressure on.
The underlying message was simple: field the best attacking unit possible, something injuries have denied them for much of the previous two campaigns. This was the first occasion since December 2024 that Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka started three league matches in a row.
Their familiarity was evident. Havertz’s precise strike from the edge of the box had already levelled the score, and a few minutes later Ødegaard, after a clever dummy by Havertz, slipped the ball past Martínez for the decisive winner. Both players were greeted with thunderous applause as they were substituted, and Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville lauded them as Arsenal’s two finest performers on the day. Saka, who had been relentless on the right wing, also earned a standing ovation for his relentless runs and incisive crosses.
The clamor for a marquee forward remains loud. Arsenal have made several overtures in the transfer market, yet nothing has materialised, underscoring the club’s acknowledgement that a high‑profile signing would be ideal.
In the meantime, the trio of Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka can partially fill that void by staying fit and maintaining their current form. When all three were available for the full 2023/24 season, Arsenal set a club record by netting 91 Premier League goals – a benchmark they are eager to approach again. A notable development is Ødegaard’s resurgence as a goal‑scorer.
The captain, who managed just one strike in 36 appearances last season, now boasts three goals in his first four league outings this campaign. His recent winner mirrored a similar effort in the Community Shield, highlighting his increased willingness to arrive late in the box.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the Norwegian’s confidence, saying, "He’s fit, and his confidence is at one of the highest levels I’ve seen. He also has something to prove after missing so much football last season, and Bukayo the same.
We missed a lot of attacking players for long periods last year." The chemistry between Ødegaard, Saka and Havertz is another crucial factor. In the Chelsea match, Ødegaard supplied Saka ten times and Havertz seven, demonstrating an intuitive understanding that extends beyond the ball – especially in off‑the‑ball runs. Ødegaard explained to Sky Sports, "Havertz is a smart player who moves well. He draws defenders, and when I make a run from behind, I often find myself free." Arteta echoed this sentiment, noting, "When you see the chemistry they have and what they can produce, it’s fantastic.
He enjoys his football, plays with intent, and that’s what I loved to see today. He was running forward, taking shots, creating countless opportunities for his teammates." Kai Havertz, also on three goals in four games, has proven equally vital. His all‑round display – acting as an aerial outlet, a runner in behind, and a link‑up player for the midfield – underscores his importance. Former England defender Jamie Carragher, speaking for Sky Sports, remarked, "To replace Havertz you would need one of the best players in the world." Collectively, the three have contributed all six of Arsenal’s league goals after three fixtures, yet the victory over Chelsea also highlighted the team’s broader attacking cohesion.
Compared with the more static displays against Coventry and Aston Villa, Arsenal appeared far more fluid in the final third. Havertz frequently drifted wide to the right, Saka interchanged centrally or even swapped flanks with Christos Tzolis, and Riccardo Calafiori made himself available in various zones, adding an extra layer of dynamism. Arteta summed it up to Sky Sports: "Another layer of dynamism, threat, intent, aggression in the attacking phase.
You certainly saw that today." Chelsea struggled to cope with the constant movement, often finding themselves exposed by Arsenal’s runs into the half‑space, where Ødegaard and Saka excel. Looking ahead, the primary challenge for Arteta is preserving the health of his key attackers.
The past two seasons were riddled with injuries that forced the club to contemplate big‑money signings. While fans may still dream of a blockbuster forward, the current reality is that Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka are delivering a brand of football that is both entertaining and effective. Their combined creativity, work‑rate and goal‑threat provide a solid foundation for Arsenal’s ambitions, and as long as they stay fit, the Gunners can continue to climb the table without needing to splurge on a marquee name. In summary, Arsenal’s recent performances illustrate that a well‑drilled, injury‑free attacking trio can compensate for the absence of a headline‑grabbing signing.
By keeping Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka healthy and allowing them to develop their on‑field relationships, the club can sustain its high‑scoring output and remain a genuine contender for the Premier League title.