Arsenal Back On Top League Table After Trouncing Chelsea 2-1
Arsenal reopened a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as their set-piece prowess helped them to a 2-1 victory over 10-man Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
Under pressure to win following Manchester City’s victory over Leeds on Saturday, Arsenal scored their 15th and 16th corner goals of the season through William Saliba and Jurrien Timber to beat Liam Rosenior’s side for the third time in six weeks.
Chelsea scored from a corner of their own in between those two goals when Piero Hincapie flicked a wicked Reece James delivery into his own net in first-half stoppage time, but their hopes of fighting back for a second time were hit by a red card to Pedro Neto.
The Chelsea winger was shown a second yellow card for a cynical foul on Gabriel Martinelli just three minutes after being booked for dissent as he became the seventh Chelsea player to receive a red card in the Premier League this season.
While Robert Sanchez struggled in goal for Chelsea, appearing to duck under Declan Rice’s cross for Timber’s goal, Arsenal were indebted to David Raya for some vital saves, including in stoppage time, when he brilliantly tipped a Alejandro Garnacho cross wide.
Raya also clawed a goalbound corner around the post shortly before Chelsea’s equaliser, although Chelsea were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty after that James delivery appeared to strike the arm of Rice, who was grappling with his marker.
Arsenal experienced some nervy moments in the closing stages as the 10-man visitors pushed for another equaliser, but in the end their one-goal advantage proved sufficient, allowing them to keep their noses in front of Manchester City in the title race.
As Arsenal restore their five-point lead at the summit, having played a game more than City, Chelsea are left three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports: “Big win. I am very happy. We performed in an excellent way for big periods.
“The margin should have been bigger at half-time. The moment we conceded was painful, but it is the quality of Chelsea.
“After the red card we should have managed the situation better.
“The way we have reacted after that disappointing result against Wolves has been top.
“There are things we have learned about ourselves. The manner we have dealt with that is top. Let’s keep going.”
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