Mikel Arteta sends warning to Arsenal title rivals and explains Martin Odegaard transformation | OneFootball

Arsenal manager also reserves special praise for Martin Odegaard

Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal’s title rivals that there is even more to come from his side this season.

Arsenal have picked up maximum points from their first three Premier League matches, maintaining that perfect record with a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

It was far from a comfortable afternoon, with Chelsea taking the lead after barely a minute through Morgan Rogers’ volley.

However, Arsenal responded superbly. Kai Havertz equalised before half-time and Martin Odegaard netted what proved to be the winner five minutes into the second-half with a goal that was remarkably similar to his strike against Manchester City in the Community Shield.

Only City and Arsenal have nine points at the top of the table and Arteta is confident his side are better now than they were when ending their 22-year-wait for a league title last season.

“It’s an indication for us of how capable we are to perform at an even higher level than last season,” Arteta said.

“It depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humbleness and continue every day to try and find a better version of myself and the team.

“We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer, and this is the ambition of the team.”

Derby day delight: Mikel Arteta

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Rogers’ goal was the first one Arsenal have conceded this season and it briefly left the Emirates Stadium stunned.

However, the fans rallied and so did the players, piling the pressure on Chelsea and eventually getting their reward in a deserved win.

“It was an exceptional performance,” Arteta said.

“I enjoyed every minute of it from the beginning to the end, and the beginning was tough. But I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way.

“The conviction, the determination, the quality, it was beautiful. It was a fascinating game, I think for the spectators as well. I think we deserved to win it.”

Odegaard has now scored against Coventry and Chelsea, meaning he has already bettered his Premier League tally from last season.

As he did in the Community Shield, Odegaard drifted into the box, got on the end of Christos Tzolis’ pass inside and produced an emphatic finish.

“He’s fit, he feels confidence-wise one of the highest I’ve seen him,” Arteta said.

“He has a point to prove from last season as well, after missing so much football. When that happens, Kai the same, Bukayo the same, we missed so many attacking players last season for long, long periods.

Winning goal: Martin Odegaard

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“I don't know how many times they've played together those three in the last year or so, but probably not much, and when you start to feel the chemistry they have between them and what they can produce, it's great.

“For me, [Odegaard] gets to that point because he's enjoying his football. You have to enjoy what you do, you have to play with real intent, and that's what I loved seeing today.

“Today, he was running forward, he took shots, he created so many situations for his team-mates. It was great.”