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Arsenal open season with 2-1 win over Chelsea

9/8/2026

9 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal opened the season with three straight wins, staying unbeaten after three matches.
Arsenal conceded fewer than two goals for the third time in club history.
Arsenal recorded three of the four lowest expected-goals-against totals despite missing William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
Right-flank attacks made up 47% of Arsenal’s moves, led by Ben White and Bukayo Saka.

History

Historical Context

Arsenal’s 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ season, managed by Arsène Wenger, finished with 26 wins, 12 draws and no defeats, setting a 49-match unbeaten league record. That benchmark still shapes expectations; under Mikel Arteta the club opened the 2024-25 Premier League with three victories, prompting fans and the board to demand similar defensive solidity.

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Story summary

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal opened the season with three straight wins, staying unbeaten after three matches.
Arsenal conceded fewer than two goals for the third time in club history.
Arsenal recorded three of the four lowest expected-goals-against totals despite missing William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
Right-flank attacks made up 47% of Arsenal’s moves, led by Ben White and Bukayo Saka.

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