Arsenal vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Gunners’ run riot after White and Havertz goals
Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea: Kai Havertz and Ben White both scored twice as the Gunners go three points clear at the top of the table
Arsenal moved three points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a blistering 5-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s men dominated from the get-go but couldn’t make full use of a first 45 minutes of controlled play despite Leandro Trossard’s fourth minute opener. He was fed the ball by Declan Rice then smoked the ball home at the near post.
After the break, the Gunners turned up the heat with Ben White latching onto a deflected shot from Rice and Kai Havertz lifting a fine finish over the goalkeeper to put Arsenal clear. Havertz then added a fourth with a guided finish to the bottom corner before White volleyed a beautifully dainty pass from Martin Odegaard into the top corner.
For Chelsea it was a night to forget but Arsenal took advantage of playing first this week and now Liverpool and Manchester City must respond if they hope to avoid dropping points in the title race.
Relive the updates from Arsenal vs Chelsea in tonight’s live blog below and get the latest match odds and tips, here
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
27 mins: Save! Petrovic makes up for his lacklustre attempt to keep out Trossard’s goal by denying Arsenal a second.
The keeper pulls off a sensational stop to keep out a Havertz cross that deflects off a defender at the last moment. It looks certain to drop into the corner but Petrovic gets across and keeps it out.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
25 mins: Oh my! That’s wonderful from Martin Odegaard who tricks three defenders with his fancy footwork before slotting a teasing pass into the six yard box. Bukayo Saka misses the ball but it comes through to Ben White.
He rolls it off to Thomas Partey whose first time shot gets blocked and cleared.
Woodwork! Nicolas Jackson brings the ball under control and takes on William Saliba. He flies into the box and has a go, rattling the near post with his effort.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
22 mins: Close! Arsenal are a different class. Declan Rice nicks the ball off Enzo Fernandez deep in Chelsea’s half. He checks to the right and smokes one at goal.
The effort is a good one but the ball continues to rise and flies over the top.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
19 mins: A miscued pass back to David Raya from Bukayo Saka sends the ball out for a corner. Mykhailo Mudryk is the man tasked with sending it into the penalty area.
His cross gets flicked on and Axel Disasi just misses the ball for a tap in at the far post! That was a close one.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
16 mins: Ben White wins a corner off Marc Cucurella. It’s the first one of the game and Bukayo Saka swings the ball into the penalty area.
Saka’s delivery is nodded away by Benoit Badishile but the ball is turned behind for another set piece.
This is is passed short before coming to Martin Odegaard who whips in a cross to the far post. Takehiro Tomiyasu arrives from deep and nods an effort high and wide.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
13 mins: Noni Madueke drives the ball forward for Chelsea and releases Nicolas Jackson into the final third. The Blues get the ball into Arsenal’s half for a prolonged period but don’t do anything with it.
Instead it comes back to Badiashile who gives it away under pressure from Martin Odegaard. Chelsea can’t afford to waste their time on the ball.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
10 mins: Nicolas Jackson lunges into a tackle on Takehiro Tomiyasu and goes over the ball behind landing on the defender’s ankle. No punishment comes his way and he’s a lucky boy.
Close! Benoit Badiashile gives the ball away to Martin Odegaard who threads Kai Havertz into the box. Havertz has the chance to shoot but decides to pass it across to Declan Rice.
Chelsea’s defenders sprint back into position and intercept the ball before clearing their lines. It’s all Arsenal now.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
7 mins: This is not the start Chelsea would have wanted. Arsenal look released of all pressure now and are flying forward with slick passing and cutting runs.
Bukayo Saka pulls the ball back to Ben White but the hosts lose the ball as Chelsea boot it long.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (Trossard, 4’)⚽️
4 mins: No nonsense here!
Thomas Partey sends the ball across to Declan Rice who drives up the pitch. He cuts into the box and moves Alfie Gilchrist out of the way before slipping a pass over to Leandro Trossard.
Trossard rattles a shot towards the near post, sends it between Dorde Petrovic’s legs and gives Arsenal the lead!
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
3 mins: Chelsea have just settled things down since Benoit Badishile knocked over Kai Havertz. If the Arsenal man wasn’t offside that could easily have been an early penalty awarded for the Gunners.
Things are slowing heating up but both teams are trying to assert some control through possession at present.
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