Arsenal vs Chelsea. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance60,144.
Report and free match highlights as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 to go back above Man City at the top of the Premier League; Martin Odegaard scored twice and Gabriel Jesus was also on target in a one-sided first half; Noni Madueke pulled a goal back
Wednesday 3 May 2023 07:59, UK
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium as the abject visitors slumped to a sixth consecutive loss under Frank Lampard.
The Gunners came into the game looking to put their 4-1 thrashing by title rivals Manchester City behind them and they did so in emphatic style in a completely one-sided first half.
Martin Odegaard scored the first two goals, twice capitalising on dismal Chelsea defending to dispatch Granit Xhaka crosses, with Gabriel Jesus then adding the third from close range.
Mikel Arteta's side should have been totally out of sight by the time Noni Madueke pulled a goal back for Chelsea midway through the second half, but it proved to be only a consolation for the 12th-placed visitors, whose season continues to plumb new depths.
The victory takes Arsenal two points above Pep Guardiola's side, albeit having played two games more, lifting the mood around the club following a four-game winless run and ensuring the title race remains alive despite events at the Etihad Stadium last week.
Arsenal's determination to draw a line under the recent dip in form was clear from the outset, the rejuvenated hosts pinning Chelsea back in their own half and piling on near relentless pressure.
Lampard's side were indebted to Kepa Arrizabalaga for not falling behind sooner, the goalkeeper saving bravely at the feet of Xhaka in the fifth minute after right-back Cesar Azpilicueta had sold him short with a poor backward header.
Azpilicueta's problems were only just beginning, though, with Arsenal soon running riot on that side as Xhaka twice picked out the unmarked Odegaard, who finished with aplomb on each occasion, his first-time efforts leaving Kepa with little chance.
Aaron Ramsdale made a full-stretch save from Ben Chilwell in between Odegaard's strikes but it was Chelsea's first and only chance of a woeful first-half showing and, up at the other end, the punishment soon continued.
Arsenal's third goal came from more dire defending as the Blues twice failed to clear their lines following Ben White's right-wing cross, allowing Jesus to fire home his 10th Premier League goal of the season from close range.
The home fans were revelling in the occasion at that point, loudly cheering the announcement that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, their former striker, would be replaced by Kai Havertz at the interval following an anonymous first-half performance.
Then, when the action got back under way, Arsenal picked up where they left off in the first half, forcing a succession of chances, with Thiago Silva clearing a Gabriel Magalhaes header off the line and Kepa denying Xhaka, Saka and Odegaard.
It appeared more Arsenal goals were inevitable but Madueke's goal, scored after Arsenal switched off defensively, gave the visitors something to cling on to and set up a nervy finale, with the home fans wary of another lead being surrendered.
Mykhailo Mudryk provided a few scares with his pace following his introduction, but Arsenal held on, despite a late injury scare to centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, securing a much-needed victory and showing that, while their London rivals languish in 12th, they may yet push Manchester City right to the end.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta when asked what he enjoyed about the performance by Sky Sports:
"That we were us. That's what I demanded. I wanted to see that energy, that determination, that fluidity, that movement, that purpose in our play.
"That was there from the beginning. That led to connecting with our crowd and obviously you know what happens when we are able to do that. The goals were really helpful because they set the tone for the rest of the game.
"We wanted to [push Chelsea back early on]. We knew that if we dominated them and got in the final third then they were going to have issues. In the last 30 minutes we allowed them to run and, with the players they have, in transition moments you are going to have problems.
"The performance against City was very different. We had to be much better in many departments and I think we've done that in the first 60 minutes tonight.
"In the first 15 minutes of the second half, we should have scored two or three goals - then the game is over. If you don't do that and start to give the ball away against teams like that, then some doubts appear."
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka speaking to Sky Sports:
"The first 60 minutes we had a very good game. We deserved the three points today. We needed a reaction and the team, with the fans, had a good reaction.
"We had not our best day and Man City was the best team last week. But we still have belief.
"I try to give advice with my experience. I've had worse times than every player here, that's for sure.
"I try to help the youngsters to give them motivation.
"Of course if you lose four games you start to struggle, but this is my job."
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard speaking to Sky Sports:
"Especially the first half was brilliant. We showed a different spirit to last time. The second half was a bit messy but we needed this one.
"Everyone was so hurt after the City game but we used that anger to bounce back. You can lose games but we weren't ourselves. I think we showed a different side today.
"We didn't keep the ball enough in the second half and they went a bit more direct.
"It was a bit chaotic but it's a win. We have to keep going. We will fight until the end for the title."
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard speaking to Sky Sports:
"The performance in the first half was nowhere near good enough. Too nice to play against, too passive. Defensively the line wasn't coming up, which was giving them space.
"In possession we weren't playing over their press. All the things that make you a nice team to play against, we did. The second half was better but the result's relatively confirmed by then.
"Chelsea's been a big success for 20 years domestically and won Champions Leagues, but at the moment we're not in that position.
"In the time I've been here it's pretty clear for me to see. If you want to be a nice to play against and play short passes all the time, and at the top of the pitch not have responsibility to hold the ball, then it doesn't matter where you go in the Premier League.
"Those things are not going to change overnight but we better get there quickly because we've got another game coming at the weekend."
Arsenal's next game is away at Champions League-chasing Newcastle, live on Sky Sports this Super Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm.
The Gunners' two games after that - at home to Brighton on May 14 and away to Nottingham Forest on May 20 - are also live on Sky Sports. Mikel Arteta's side host Wolves on the final day of the season on May 28.
Chelsea's attention turns to a trip to Bournemouth this Saturday, kick-off 3pm. Frank Lampard's Blues then host Nottingham Forest seven days later with kick-off at the same time.
The west Londoners then face a double trip to Manchester to face City and United - both games live on Sky Sports on May 21 and May 25 respectively - before hosting Newcastle on the final day of the season.
