Arsenal's summer transfer window closed without the elite striker they had targeted — but, so far, it has not mattered one bit. A commanding 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea on Sunday underlined that Mikel Arteta's side are the team to beat in the Premier League once again.

The Gunners spent close to £200m on new signings but missed out on Julian Alvarez, who stayed at Atletico Madrid, as well as Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, and Vinicius Jr, who remains at Real Madrid. Rogers ultimately joined Chelsea, while Barcola moved to Liverpool.

Familiar faces deliver

It was instead two long-serving Arsenal men who made the difference at the weekend. Kai Havertz, at the club since 2023, pulled Arsenal level before half-time, and captain Martin Odegaard — a Gunner since 2021 — netted the winner five minutes into the second half to complete the turnaround.

Chelsea had taken a shock lead in just the 2nd minute through Morgan Rogers, their £117m summer acquisition, giving Arsenal an immediate test of character. They passed it with distinction.