Chelsea’s first defeat of the season delivered an uncomfortable reminder of just how important Moises Caicedo has become to Xabi Alonso’s midfield.
Morgan Rogers gave the Blues a dream start after only 77 seconds at the Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal gradually took control before goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard secured a 2-1 victory.
Chelsea remained dangerous on the counter and could point to Pedro Neto hitting the post and Estêvão forcing a superb late save from David Raya.
The bigger concern was what happened between those moments.
Chelsea struggled without Caicedo
Caicedo’s absence was confirmed when Chelsea named their team before kick-off.
The Ecuador international was not even among the substitutes after aggravating the fitness problem which had already disrupted the start of his season.
Caicedo had returned against Brighton last weekend, only to ask to come off shortly afterwards when he again felt discomfort.
Alonso said following that game that the midfielder had been cautious after feeling something was not right and would require further assessment.
ReadChelsea covered the latest Moises Caicedo injury situation before Sunday’s trip to north London.
His absence left Alonso with an unusual midfield partnership.
Reece James moved inside alongside Romeo Lavia, exactly as revealed in the confirmed Chelsea lineup against Arsenal.
There were encouraging moments, particularly during Chelsea’s rapid start.
But once Arsenal settled, the hosts increasingly controlled the areas where Caicedo would normally have such an influence.
The Times’ post-match analysis also highlighted Chelsea’s midfield difficulties and the significance of being without both Caicedo and the departed Enzo Fernández.
Arsenal expose Chelsea’s new midfield reality
It would be far too simplistic to claim Chelsea lost solely because Caicedo was unavailable.
Arsenal are the reigning Premier League champions and possess one of the strongest midfields in England.
Yet Sunday demonstrated why Chelsea’s post-transfer-window midfield depth is going to receive scrutiny.
Enzo left for Manchester City during the summer window.
Caicedo is now dealing with an injury problem.
That left Alonso using his captain, naturally a right-back, alongside Lavia against Arsenal.
Lavia lasted an hour before being replaced as Chelsea changed shape in pursuit of an equaliser.
James remaining capable of operating centrally is extremely useful for Alonso.
It should not necessarily mean Chelsea want to become dependent on him doing so whenever Caicedo is unavailable.
The concern becomes greater because Alonso himself has described Caicedo as “one of the best holding players in the world”, highlighting the level of player Chelsea are trying to replace whenever he cannot play. Chelsea published those comments during pre-season.
Alonso needs another route to control
Chelsea’s chaotic opening victories had already raised questions about how Alonso’s side would respond against opponents capable of controlling possession for longer periods.
The Guardian noted before the Arsenal game that Chelsea’s early-season football had featured less possession and greater reliance on transitions than Alonso might ideally want.
Arsenal provided the strongest examination of that approach yet.
Chelsea’s transition threat remained obvious.
Rogers scored almost immediately. Neto struck the post. Estêvão nearly rescued a point late on.
But those attacks arrived between extended spells in which Arsenal dictated the match.
The Guardian’s match report described Arsenal as taking control following Chelsea’s opener, with Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka increasingly influencing proceedings.
That is the challenge for Alonso.
Chelsea cannot expect Caicedo to play every minute of every major game.
James provides one alternative and Lavia remains an extremely talented midfielder, but the defeat at Arsenal showed Chelsea still need a reliable way of controlling elite opponents when their first-choice holding midfielder is unavailable.
One defeat after three league games is hardly a crisis.
But the Emirates has exposed a question Alonso will need to answer during a long season.
