Three points from Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal as missing stars dent Xabi Alonso’s title ambitions

CHELSEA suffered their first defeat in the Premier League this season at the hands of London rivals Arsenal. The Blues, who were missing some key players, became the first team to score against the reigning Premier League champions, who picked up a clean sheet in both of their first two games in the top flight. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso suffered his first Premier League loss Credit: Getty Images – Getty Chelsea significantly missed Moises Caicedo against Arsenal Credit: Getty Images – Getty And it was Morgan Rogers – the man the North Londoners identified as a priority summer signing before Chelsea hijacked the deal with a record £117million – who opened the scoring just two minutes after kick-off. However, Arsenal hit back with former Chelsea star Kai Havertz on 25 minutes before captain Martin Odegaard completed the hosts’ comeback in the second half at the Emirates to seal their third win on the spin. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! That led to Xabi Alonso‘s first Premier League defeat with his new club after winning his first two games in charge. SunSport’s Dan King looks at three talking points following a match that left a lot to ponder on: HOLD YOUR HANDS UP, EMI Emi Martinez was signed because Chelsea wanted a goalkeeper who was less gaffe-prone and better with his feet than Robert Sanchez. Not all five goals Martinez has conceded so far were his fault but the failure to stop Kai Havertz’s shot for the equaliser was very poor indeed. Maybe the kick in the head he took early on in the game from Gabriel Magalhaes was a factor. But probably not. The Argentine, booed on his latest return to the Emirates, made an important save from Gabriel before Riccardo Calafiori’s “goal” was rightly ruled out for offside. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Martinez denied Bukayo Saka in the first half and the save he made from the England man in the second kept his team in the game. The 2022 World Cup winner will rightly complain about what is going on in front of him, with Chelsea and especially Maxence Lacroix looking shaky. But he has to hold his hands up when he makes a basic error like this. CAICEDO AND COLWILL MISSED Chelsea lost due to a goalkeeping howler and one very good goal. And they did not snatch a draw because of an excellent save. But the absence of two of their best players from their spine proved crucial. Reece James and Romeo Lavia did pretty well in the first half to stand up to Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Odegaard. But neither of them is capable of Moises Caicedo’s high-energy, high-commitment, 90-minute displays. Without the Ecuadorian midfielder, Xabi Alonso’s side will always find it hard against top opponents. The loss of defender Levi Colwill to injury for most of last season was a huge factor in the team’s struggles. Despite being just 23, he brings composure and leadership to Chelsea. They also missed his defensive skills and ability to pass out from the back. The Blues struggled to handle Kai Havertz’s movement and needed Colwill to help Wesley Fofana fight fires. Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez was at fault for Arsenal’s equaliser Credit: EPA Chelsea’s defence missed Levi Colwill in the derby against Arsenal Credit: Getty Images – Getty COLE PALMED OFF Just when it seemed the real Cole Palmer was standing up again, he endured a frustrating time. The control Arsenal had over the game was a factor, just as it was when he was anonymous for much of the win over Brighton. In the first half, he struggled to make any impression, with just one tame shot and one cute pass which almost teed up Joao Pedro. Palmer’s day was summed up when he burst through but could only fire a shot well off target — he was perhaps distracted by Morgan Rogers being cynically tripped by Declan Rice. Chelsea must help him more going forward but this was not good enough. Comment now