Arsenal have maintained their perfect Premier League start by beating Chelsea 2-1, but Mikel Arteta’s champions still finish the weekend behind Manchester City at the top of the table.
Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard completed Arsenal’s comeback after Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea the lead inside 77 seconds at the Emirates Stadium.
The victory takes Arsenal to nine points from three matches, exactly level with Manchester City.
So why are Arsenal still second?
Why Manchester City are above Arsenal
The margins could hardly be smaller.
Manchester City currently have:
- 9 points
- 7 goals scored
- 2 goals conceded
- +5 goal difference
Arsenal now have:
- 9 points
- 6 goals scored
- 1 goal conceded
- +5 goal difference
Both clubs therefore have identical points and goal difference.
The Premier League’s official rules state that when teams are level on points, goal difference is the first tiebreaker.
If that is also identical, teams are then separated by goals scored.
City have scored seven times compared with Arsenal’s six, meaning Pep Guardiola’s side remain first.
It is precisely the scenario we outlined before kick-off in our guide explaining what Arsenal needed against Chelsea to go top.
A two-goal victory would have moved Arsenal clear of City on goal difference.
Winning 2-1 instead leaves the two title rivals almost inseparable.
Arsenal maintain perfect Premier League start
The more important story for Arteta is that Arsenal have taken nine points from nine.
They opened the campaign by beating Coventry City 3-0 before Bukayo Saka secured a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.
Chelsea represented a considerably tougher challenge.
Arsenal conceded for the first time this season but recovered to win, with former Chelsea forward Havertz equalising before Ødegaard struck the winner shortly after half-time.
The victory also saw Arsenal match a 32-year home record against Chelsea by recording a fifth successive home league victory over their London rivals.
Hull City sit behind the leading pair on seven points, while Chelsea remain on six after suffering their first defeat under Xabi Alonso.
Arsenal’s entire title defence can be followed through our permanent fixtures and results hub.
Three matches clearly tell us very little about where the Premier League trophy will eventually end up.
For now, however, Arsenal and Manchester City have already created an intriguing early benchmark.
Both are perfect.
Only one goal scored separates them.
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