Arsenal show attacking depth without marquee summer signing

Arsenal’s summer search for a marquee forward did not end with the arrivals many expected, but their win over Chelsea offered a timely reminder that Mikel Arteta’s side may not need a blockbuster signing to sharpen their attack. With Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka all fit and starting together again, Arsenal looked like a team rediscovering one of their biggest strengths.

Missed targets, familiar quality

Much of the discussion around Arsenal in the transfer window centred on the forwards they could not bring in. Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez were all mentioned, yet none arrived.

That naturally raised questions about whether Arsenal had done enough to evolve in the final third. Against Chelsea, however, the answer came from within the squad. Odegaard, Havertz and Saka gave Arsenal incision, movement and control, showing how much the side gains when its most important attacking players are available together.

It was a significant moment for a team that has had to cope with injuries across the last two seasons. According to the source material, this was the first time since December 2024 that Odegaard, Havertz and Saka had started a third straight league game together.

How Arsenal turned the game

There had been pre-match attention on Chelsea’s attacking threat, particularly the challenge of containing Joao Pedro, Rogers and Cole Palmer. That concern only grew when Rogers struck after 77 seconds.

But Arsenal settled and gradually imposed themselves. Their attacking combinations became sharper as the game wore on, with one second-half move capturing the value of their restored front-foot football. Odegaard found space in the inside-right channel and slipped a pass into Havertz, whose flick sent Saka through to test Emiliano Martinez.

Although the goalkeeper kept that effort out, the move reflected Arsenal’s fluency. The understanding between the three players was evident, and it was not an isolated moment.

Havertz had already brought Arsenal level with a precise finish from the edge of the box, beating Martinez at his near post. Later, he was involved again as Arsenal found the winner, leaving the ball for Odegaard to finish calmly.

The importance of Odegaard, Havertz and Saka

Arsenal’s ability to improve without a major attacking addition may depend less on recruitment and more on availability. When Odegaard, Havertz and Saka are on the pitch together, Arsenal have creativity, directness and a reliable structure in possession.

Saka was a constant threat on the right, repeatedly driving at Chelsea and earning a standing ovation. Odegaard dictated key moments, while Havertz delivered in both penalty-box areas that matter most for an attacking player: finishing chances and linking moves.

“They have been Arsenal's two best players,” said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville of Odegaard and Havertz when they were substituted.

That assessment underlined the influence both had on the contest, though Saka’s contribution was also central to Arsenal’s overall level.

A reminder of Arsenal’s ceiling

Arsenal’s victory, their third straight in the Premier League, was important not only for the points but for what it suggested about the squad’s attacking ceiling. The club may have missed out on high-profile names in the market, but this performance showed there is still room for internal growth.

• Arsenal missed out on Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez in the summer window.
• Odegaard, Havertz and Saka started a third straight league game together for the first time since December 2024.
• Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 for a third consecutive Premier League win.

If Arsenal can keep their key attackers fit, they may yet find that the upgrade they wanted was already in the building.