Midway through the second half at the Emirates Stadium, Martin Odegaard picked up the ball in an inside-right position and threaded a pass towards Kai Havertz, whose flick allowed the onrushing Bukayo Saka to test Emiliano Martinez.

The Chelsea goalkeeper managed to push his effort around the post. But the slick passage of play was one of many examples of how the champions, on maximum points after a third straight win, are feeling the benefits of having the trio available again.

Much of the focus ahead of the game had fallen on Chelsea's front three. How would Arsenal contain Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer? It seemed the script had been written when Rogers stunned the ground into silence after 77 seconds.

But Arsenal regained their poise and proved a point about their own attack. Rogers was one of three high-profile forwards to elude them during the summer along with Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez. But they may still have the tools to level up without them.

The key is simply to get their best attackers on the pitch, something injuries prevented for much of the last two seasons. This was the first time since December 2024 that Odegaard, Havertz and Saka have started a third straight league game together.

Odegaard and Havertz made the decisive contributions, combining for the winner when the former finished coolly following the latter's dummy. Earlier, Havertz had equalised with his precise finish at Martinez's near post from the edge of the box.

"They have been Arsenal's two best players," said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville when they were substituted to loud applause. Saka wasn't bad either, tearing into Chelsea on the right and earning a standing ovation of his own later in the second half.

The clamour for Arsenal to add a forward was of course understandable. The club's efforts, although ultimately fruitless, showed they appreciate the need for it. In an ideal world they would have marquee signing leading them into this season.

But they can go at least some way to making up the shortfall by keeping Odegaard, Havertz and Saka fit. The last time they managed it over the course of a full season, in 2023/24, they finished the campaign with a club-record 91 Premier League goals.

It helps that Odegaard has rediscovered his scoring touch.

Their captain is unrecognisable from the player who only scored once in 36 games last term. His winner puts him on three in four for the new campaign; his latest another example of how he is getting into the box more. Arteta noted other differences.

"He's fit, and confidence-wise I think it's one of the highest that I've seen him," he said. "He also has a point to prove from last season after missing so much football, and Bukayo the same. We missed so many attacking players last season for long, long periods."

His chemistry with both Saka and Havertz is another factor. They were the two players he passed to most against Chelsea. Odegaard found Saka 10 times and Havertz seven. But his understanding with both, the latter in particular, extends to off-the-ball runs too.

"He's a really smart player and moves so well," Odegaard told Sky Sports of Havertz. "He takes defenders' attention. When he makes the run and I come from behind, I'm always free."

Arteta agreed. "When you start to feel the chemistry they have between them and what they can produce, it's great," he added. "For me, he gets to that point because he's enjoying his football.

"And when you are there, you have to enjoy what you do, you have to play with real intent, and that's what I loved to see from him today. He was running forward, he took shots, he created so many situations for his team-mates, so it was great."

Havertz, also on three goals in four games, has been similarly impactful. This was another all-round performance to underline just how much he gives the side, as an aerial outlet and runner in behind who links with his midfielders and works incessantly.

"To displace Havertz from this team, you need to be one of the best players in the world," said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

Three Premier League games in, Odegaard, Havertz and Saka account for all six of Arsenal's goals. But the performance against Chelsea showed it has been a collective endeavour too.

As against Coventry and Aston Villa, Arsenal appeared notably more fluid in the final third, with Havertz often pulling to the right, Saka popping up centrally or even swapping flanks with Christos Tzolis, and Riccardo Calafiori appearing everywhere.

"It was another layer," added Arteta to Sky Sports. "Another layer of dynamism, of threat, of intent, of aggression in the attacking phase. You have certainly seen that today."

Chelsea struggled to cope with the level of movement. Even before the second goal, Arsenal had got in behind their backline repeatedly; their combinations, usually in the right half-space, where Odegaard and Saka, in particular, do their best work, proved problematic.

The challenge now is to keep them fit. A spate of injuries like those suffered in the last two seasons might leave fans pining for that blockbuster signing again. But for now they can enjoy what they have. Odegaard, Havertz and Saka are leading their charge.