Mikel Arteta's side trailed to Morgan Rogers' second-minute goal in a pulsating London derby at the Emirates Stadium but the champions showed why they are firm favourites to retain the title with a blistering response to that early setback.

The last time the London side retained the top-flight title was in 1935 but it took just 15 minutes for Kai Havertz to show Arsenal's intent as he coolly guided a Riccardo Calafiori cross into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Arsenal powered to a 3-0 win against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, delivering a swaggering statement of intent ahead of their Premier League title defence.

Germany won their first opening match at a World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2014 as they eased to a 7-1 win against debutants Curacao in their opening Group E match in Houston on Sunday.

Germany forward Kai Havertz says the team's attacking players are not competing against each other for starting spots but working collectively towards success at the World Cup, which begins next week in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Kai Havertz scored a late winner on Tuesday to give Arsenal an invaluable 1-0 lead to take into the return fixture of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Sporting Lisbon.

Former Leverkusen player Havertz converted the late spot kick to cancel out Robert Andrich's 46th-minute header for the hosts, marking the first time this season that quadruple-chasing Arsenal had fallen behind in Europe's elite competition.

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal's deeper squad was helping the Premier League leaders cope with their "worst" run of injuries as he prepares for Wednesday's match against Brentford.

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will miss Germany's World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Northern Ireland next month, the German soccer federation's (DFB) national team director Rudi Voeller said.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he would bet on Kai Havertz returning before the end of the season as his recovery from a hamstring injury is ahead of schedule.

The Germany forward, 25, was injured during the club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Altay Bayindir was Manchester United's unlikely hero as the holders held out for over an hour a man down to knock Arsenal out the FA Cup on penalties after a feisty 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Sunday.

"National team coach Julian Nagelsmann has nominated Jonathan Burkardt in Havertz's place. Get well soon Kai," Germany announced on X on Sunday.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka inspired Arsenal's 2-0 success against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday as the Gunners secured their first win in the Champions League this season.

Arsenal's dreams of a first Premier League crown in 20 years were dashed as their 2-1 win against Everton was rendered irrelevant by Manchester City's title-clinching victory over West Ham.

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz said he will become the "biggest fan" of north London rivals Tottenham when they host Manchester City on Tuesday as the Gunners hope for a twist in the Premier League title race.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's tense 3-2 win at bitter rivals Tottenham proved they can cope with the pressure of their "beautiful" challenge to win the Premier League.

The 24-year-old German produced two clinical finishes after the break as Arsenal accelerated to a 5-0 victory that sent a powerful message to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice as Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday to surge ahead in the Premier League title race and ramp up the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta's side were just minutes away from a damaging draw after Gunners keeper Ramsdale gifted an equaliser to Yoane Wissa.