Midway through the second half at the Emirates Stadium, Martin Ødegaard collected the ball on the inside of the right flank and slipped a clever pass to Kai Havertz. Havertz's deft flick set off a sprinting Bukayo Saka, who found himself one‑on‑one with Chelsea keeper Emiliano Martínez. The goalkeeper managed to push the shot wide of the far post, but the sequence illustrated the fluidity that has returned to Arsenal's front line now that their three key attackers are all fit and available. The Gunners, sitting on maximum points after a third straight victory, are clearly reaping the benefits of having Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka together on the pitch.
Before the match most of the pre‑game chatter centred on Chelsea's newly assembled front three – João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer – and whether Arsenal could neutralise their pace and power. The early moments seemed to confirm those worries when Rogers struck a thunderous shot just 77 seconds in, silencing the home crowd.
Arsenal, however, quickly regained composure. The incident highlighted a broader narrative: three high‑profile forwards – Rogers, Vinícius Júnior and Julián Álvarez – had slipped past the Gunners during the summer transfer window, yet the club still possesses the tools to elevate its attack without them.
The solution, as manager Mikel Arteta repeatedly emphasises, is simply to keep his best attackers on the field, something injuries have denied him for most of the previous two campaigns. This fixture marked the first time since December 2024 that Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka started three consecutive league games together.
Their chemistry was on full display. After a series of patient passes, Havertz delivered the equaliser with a precise strike from the edge of the box, finding the near post and beating Martínez.
Later, Ødegaard collected a dummy from Havertz, turned calmly inside the box and slotted home the winner. The finish was clinical, underscoring his resurgence as a goal‑scoring midfielder. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville praised the duo after they were substituted, noting, "They have been Arsenal's two best players today." Saka, who had spent much of the second half probing Chelsea's right side, also earned a standing ovation for his relentless work rate and occasional forays into dangerous positions.
The call for a marquee forward remains loud among supporters. Arsenal have made several attempts to sign a high‑profile striker, but none have materialised, leaving the club to rely on the internal firepower of its current trio. When all three are healthy, the numbers speak for themselves: in the 2023/24 season, Arsenal set a club record with 91 Premier League goals, a tally largely driven by Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka. Ødegaard's own transformation has been particularly striking.
Last season he managed only one goal in 36 appearances, but this campaign he has already found the net three times in four games. Arteta highlighted the change, saying, "He's fit, and his confidence is at one of the highest levels I've ever seen. He also has something to prove after missing so much football last season, and Bukayo the same.
We lost many attacking players for long periods last year." The midfield maestro's link‑up play with both Saka and Havertz is a cornerstone of Arsenal's resurgence. Against Chelsea, Ødegaard passed to Saka ten times and to Havertz seven times, often creating space for them with intelligent off‑the‑ball runs. He explained to Sky Sports, "Havertz is a really smart player and moves so well.
He draws defenders, and when I make a run from behind, I'm often free." Arteta echoed this sentiment, adding, "When you see the chemistry they have and what they can produce, it's great. He enjoys his football, plays with intent, runs forward, takes shots and creates countless opportunities for his teammates." Kai Havertz, also on three goals in four matches, has proven himself an all‑round asset.
He contributes as an aerial threat, a runner in behind, and a link‑up player who helps the midfield transition quickly to attack. Jamie Carragher, another Sky Sports pundit, remarked, "To replace Havertz you would need one of the best players in the world." Collectively, the three have accounted for all six of Arsenal's goals after three league games, but the Chelsea win also showcased the broader team's improvement. Compared with earlier victories over Coventry and Aston Villa, Arsenal displayed greater fluidity in the final third. Havertz often drifted to the right, Saka interchanged centrally or swapped flanks with Christos Tzolis, and Riccardo Calafiori made frequent runs that stretched the opposition defence.
Arteta summed up the performance, saying, "It was another layer of dynamism, threat, intent and aggression in the attacking phase. You certainly saw that today." Chelsea struggled to cope with the constant movement; Arsenal repeatedly exploited the right half‑space, where Ødegaard and Saka excel, creating numerous high‑quality chances. Looking ahead, the primary challenge for Arteta will be maintaining the fitness of his key attackers.
The last two seasons were plagued by injuries that forced the club to consider big‑ticket signings. While a blockbuster forward would still be welcome, the current trio demonstrates that Arsenal can compete at the highest level without one, provided they stay healthy.
In summary, Arsenal's recent performances illustrate a team that has rediscovered its attacking identity through the combined efforts of Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka. Their mutual understanding, individual quality and renewed confidence have turned the Gunners into a formidable force in the Premier League, and if they can avoid the injury pitfalls of previous campaigns, they may well challenge for the title without needing to splurge on a marquee signing.