Arsenal made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League with a superb 5-0 thrashing over rivals Chelsea at a lively Emirates Stadium
Two changes were made from the XI that won at Wolves the previous weekend. Thomas Partey started alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield for the first time in the Premier League, and Takehiro Tomiyasu returned at left-back following the knock he picked up away at Bayern Munich.
Arsenal needed a fast start, and that’s what they got when the deadlock was broken within the first five minutes. A surging run from Declan Rive saw the Englishman lay the ball off to Leandro Trossard in the Chelsea penalty area and the Belgian’s powerful low drive was too much for the Chelsea goalkeeper and Arsenal took the lead early on in the contest.
It became clear quickly that Arsenal weren’t going to settle for a one goal lead and almost doubled their advantage when ex-Chelsea man Kai Havertz struck an effort which was heading for the bottom left corner of Petrovic’s goal but the stopper was equal to the hit. The Blues keeper was called into action straight after as Trossard’s deflected effort was diverted straight into the path of the Serbian. Arsenal were all over their London rivals but just couldn’t find that second goal to make the lead more comfortable. Chelsea however did pose a threat on the break with the pace of Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson and the latter came closest to bringing Chelsea level when the striker’s cross deflected off William Saliba and onto the post. Despite Arsenal’s dominance, the half-time whistle was blown with the score at 1-0.
Mikel Arteta’s side needed that second goal but once again was thrawted by Petrovic when a brilliant through ball from Martin Odegaard set Havertz through but the German’s effort was saved by the Chelsea keeper. However, the resulting corner would see the Gunners finally double their advantage when a loose ball fell straight to Ben White in the box who calmly finished with his left foot to make it 2-0. And two quickly became three when another superb pass from Odegaard set Havertz through again and this time the former Chelsea man found the back of the net and celebrated fully in front of the North Bank.
However, Chelsea should’ve pulled one back when Jackson found himself in Arsenal’s box with just David Raya to beat however he somehow hit the side netting. And things would soon go from bad to worse for Chelsea as Kai Havertz secured his second of the evening with a cool finish off the post following great work from Bukyao Saka to help set up the German. Although, he wouldn’t be the only man in Arsenal red ending the night with a brace when White popped up again in the Chelsea box and the right-back’s attempted cross was miscued and ended up in the back of the Chelsea net to make it five as the Chelsea away end quickly emptied as Arsenal saw out the game to claim another big three points and their biggest ever win over Chelsea in the process.
The Gunners next game is a big one, as they make the short trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham in the North London Derby.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 7 – Had little to do and got another clean sheet
Ben White: 9 – Brilliant all evening and even got a brace
William Saliba: 7 – Solid as ever
Gabriel: 7 – Same as Saliba
Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7 – Solid on his return to the team
Thomas Partey: 8 – Controlled Arsenal at the base of the midfield all night
Declan Rice: 8 – Played that box-to-box role so well and got an assist for the opener
Martin Odegaard: 9 – A true magician, two fantastic assists
Bukayo Saka: 7 – Looked much more like himself, Cucurella couldn’t deal with him
Kai Havertz: 8 – Didn’t have a brilliant first half but came to life in the second with two great goals
Leandro Trossard: 7 – Another goal for the Belgian who is in fine form of late