In a stunning display of dominance, Arsenal delivered a resounding 5-0 victory over Chelsea on Tuesday, propelling themselves to the top of the Premier League table and intensifying the pressure on title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
Kai Havertz and Ben White each scored twice, while Leandro Trossard added another goal to seal Arsenal’s emphatic win at the Emirates Stadium.
The result sees Arsenal move three points clear of Liverpool and four ahead of Manchester City, although the destiny of the title remains in City’s hands with two games in hand. Liverpool, who have played one game fewer than Arsenal, are set to face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
Prior to kick-off, Chelsea suffered a setback as their influential player Cole Palmer was ruled out due to illness. Palmer’s absence was keenly felt by the visitors, who struggled to cope with Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
Despite Chelsea’s recent unbeaten run in the league, they were unable to withstand Arsenal’s relentless pressure.
Trossard opened the scoring for the Gunners within the first five minutes, setting the tone for a dominant performance.
Chelsea’s hopes were further dashed when Nicolas Jackson escaped punishment for a dangerous challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arsenal goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic made crucial saves to deny Chelsea’s attempts to claw back into the game before half-time.
After the break, Arsenal continued to assert their superiority, with Ben White extending their lead with a curling effort from a corner.
Havertz then showcased his scoring prowess with two clinical finishes, capitalizing on excellent through balls from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Despite Chelsea’s efforts to mount a comeback, they were unable to breach Arsenal’s defense, with Jackson missing another clear opportunity to score.
The night ended on a sour note for Chelsea and their manager Mauricio Pochettino, as White’s attempted cross found the back of the net, sealing Arsenal’s comprehensive victory.
The defeat leaves Chelsea languishing in ninth place, three points adrift of the European qualification spots.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s focus turns to a crucial north London derby against Tottenham, where they will look to maintain their title charge.
With Arsenal’s impressive form and commanding lead at the top of the table, Manchester City will face an uphill battle to retain the title, needing flawless performances in their remaining fixtures.
