Midway through the second period 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 deft flick set off a surge by Bukayo Saka, who found himself one‑on‑one with Chelsea keeper Emiliano Martínez. The goalkeeper managed to tip the effort onto the post, but the sequence illustrated the fluidity that has returned to Arsenal’s forward line now that their three‑man attacking core is back together.
The Gunners, sitting on a perfect haul of points after their third consecutive victory, are clearly reaping the rewards of having Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka available for selection. Pre‑match chatter had largely centred on how Arsenal would cope with Chelsea’s newly assembled front three – João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.
The narrative seemed set when Rogers struck a lightning‑quick goal just 77 seconds in, silencing the crowd. Yet Arsenal quickly regained composure and used the moment to underline the potency of their own attack. Rogers was one of several high‑profile forwards Arsenal missed out on during the summer, joining the likes of Vinícius Júnior and Julián Álvarez. Despite those absences, the club appears to have the tools to elevate its offensive output without a marquee signing.
The key, as manager Mikel Arteta repeatedly stresses, is simply to keep the three best attackers on the pitch – a luxury that injuries denied the side for much of the previous two campaigns. This fixture marked the first occasion since December 2024 that Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka started three straight league games together.
In the match itself, Ødegaard and Havertz were the decisive figures. Havertz opened the scoring with a precise strike from the edge of the box, finding the near post and leaving Martínez with little chance.
Later, after a clever dummy by Havertz, Ødegaard slipped into the box and finished calmly, securing the winner. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville praised the duo after they were substituted, noting that they had been Arsenal’s two standout performers. Saka also enjoyed a strong showing, repeatedly cutting in from the right and earning a standing ovation for his relentless work rate. The desire for an additional forward is understandable.
Arsenal’s transfer attempts this window have so far fallen short, reflecting the club’s recognition that a top‑class striker could further sharpen their edge. Nevertheless, the team can mitigate that shortfall by preserving the health of Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka. When those three remained fit throughout the 2023/24 season, Arsenal recorded a club‑record 91 Premier League goals, underscoring the impact of their combined creativity.
Ødegaard, in particular, has rediscovered a knack for finding the net. The captain, who managed only one goal in 36 appearances last season, now boasts three strikes in the opening four games of the new campaign.
His latest effort mirrors a similar finish in the Community Shield, highlighting his increasing willingness to make late runs into the box. Arteta remarked on the transformation, saying, "He’s fit, and his confidence is among the highest I’ve 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 chemistry among the trio is another decisive factor.
Against Chelsea, Ødegaard supplied Saka ten times and Havertz seven times, demonstrating an intuitive link both on and off the ball. He praised Havertz’s intelligence and movement, explaining that the German’s runs draw defenders away, creating space for Ødegaard to arrive unmarked. Arteta echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that when the three players click, the result is an attacking display that is both enjoyable and purposeful.
Havertz, also on three goals in four matches, has proven to be a versatile asset – capable of acting as a target man, making incisive runs behind the defence, and linking seamlessly with midfielders. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher summed it up: "To replace Havertz you would need one of the world’s elite players." Collectively, the three have accounted for all six of Arsenal’s league goals so far, yet the victory over Chelsea also showcased a broader team contribution.
Compared with the more static performances against Coventry and Aston Villa, Arsenal displayed greater fluidity in the final third. Havertz frequently drifted to the right, Saka interchanged centrally or swapped flanks with Christos Tzolis, and Riccardo Calafiori made frequent forays into attacking zones, adding an extra layer of dynamism. Arteta described this evolution as "another layer of dynamism, threat, intent and aggression in the attacking phase." Chelsea struggled to cope with the constant movement, finding themselves repeatedly exposed to runs in the right half‑space where Ødegaard and Saka excel. Looking ahead, the primary challenge for Arsenal will be maintaining the fitness of their key attackers.
A spate of injuries over the past two seasons has left supporters yearning for a blockbuster signing, but for now the club can take comfort in the form of the trio that is currently leading the charge. As long as Ødegaard, Havertz and Saka stay healthy, Arsenal’s attack appears poised to continue its upward trajectory, offering fans an exciting brand of football without the need for a high‑profile new acquisition.