Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz
Subs: Ramsdale, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nelson, Nketiah, Jesus
It was a five star performance from Arsenal who completely dismantled Chelsea 5-0 at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to a goal from Leandro Trossard and further braces from Ben White and Kai Havertz.
Mikel Arteta made two changes to the side that beat Wolves on Saturday, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey coming in for Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel Jesus.
It was a fast start from Arsenal who were through on goal within a minute when Ben White played Kai Havertz in behind, although the German was offside despite being bundled over by Benoit Badiashile.
But their early pressure eventually told and it took four minutes for Trossard to open the scoring, drilling beyond Deorde Petrovic at the near post after excellent work from Partey and Declan Rice in midfield. 1-0.
The Blues were rattled at that point and were lucky not to have seen Nicolas Jackson sent off after the striker came crunching down on Tomiyasu’s ankle well after the ball had gone.
Amazingly, it was checked by VAR but they decided to clear the incident play on despite the defender laying on the ground in a heap.
All within 30 seconds, Petrovic was called into action to stop not one, not two but three shots, denying Bukayo Saka and Havertz in quick succession before Trossard’s deflected effort bounced straight into his chest after Axel Disasi stuck out a lazy leg.
Arteta was clearly frustrated on the touchline at all these missed opportunities and in the blink of an eye, Chelsea raced down the other end and had two chances of their own after Noni Madueke slipped in behind Tomiyasu.
His cross evaded everybody in the penalty box but arrived at the feet of Marc Cucurella, who saw his shot blocked by White before squaring for Enzo Fernandez who dragged wide from the edge of the box.
It was a warning sign for the hosts who were more open (at that point) than they would have liked, and minutes later Jackson burned Saliba for pace before seeing his low cross diverted onto the post by Gabriel.
Arsenal threatened to run away with this game after their first start and early goal, but Chelsea eventually settled and looked threatening on the break heading into half time – particularly with Jackson sprinting in behind.
The Gunners could have doubled their lead just after the break when Declan Rice dispossessed Conor Gallagher in midfield, received the ball back from Odegaard but saw his low drive saved again by Petrovic.
Petrovic was called into action again minutes later when a gorgeous reverse pass from Odegaard played Havertz in behind, only for the Blues goalkeeper to smother the effort which was inches away from going in.
However, Arsenal did eventually get their second after taking advantage of some slack Chelsea defending from a short corner, Rice saw his goalbound effort deflected by Gallagher which fell straight to White who curled in confidently. 2-0.
It was a sign of things to come with the visitors beginning to wilt defensively, unable to contain the quick passing and movement of Arsenal during the early stages.
There was one moment of danger for Chelsea when Tomiyasu misjudged a long ball and allowed Madueke to drive at goal, who freed Jackson after getting past Gabriel but the striker opted to shoot at the near post with only David Raya to beat – but blasted wide from a difficult angle.
Havertz would get his moment against his former club after Odegaard played a perfectly weighted pass in behind, allowing the German to hold off Cucurella and fire beyond Petrovic into the roof of the net. 3-0.
In the blink of an eye it was four after more brilliant interplay on the right side between Odegaard and Saka, ending with Havertz letting the ball run across him and bury a strike in at the near post. 4-0.
Incredibly, it was five shortly after when White was played through beautifully (again by Odegaard) and accidentally volleyed into the top corner beyond Petrovic. 5-0.
His face while celebrating was an absolute picture, totally and unashamedly owning that moment despite having zero intention of doing it.
Ahead of the North London derby on Sunday, Arteta rang the changes with Zinchenko, Jorginho, Martinelli and Jesus replacing Tomiyasu, Partey and Trossard, with Fabio Vieira later coming on for Saka.
The game had slowed down by that point but there was still time for Vieira to crack a right footed effort into the side netting, with half of the stadium preparing to celebrate before realising it flashed wide.
On what could have been a difficult game on paper with tiring legs, Arsenal turned on the style against their London rivals and dispatched them with ease – playing some beautiful football in the process.
There was a chance for Martinelli to add a sixth late on but his finish lacked conviction after running beyond the Blues’ defence.
The gap between the two teams is colossal and was proven again with the Gunners recording their biggest ever win against Chelsea, making it the seventh time they have won by a five-goal margin this season.
Arteta’s men now sit four points clear the top of the table, with Liverpool and Manchester City both to play this week. Not a bad way to prepare for Spurs on Sunday.
Partey time.
If you don’t love this team then u know next to nothing about football or love . This is my club and am proud.
I never saw Ben with such a big smile 😃. Seven star performance from him, he did INTENTIONALLY aim for the top corner by the way 😉
We’ve missed him for sure!
He was superb tonight
Scintillating. Simple.
This is the Arsenal I’ve dreamed of, looming gigantic admist critisims from pundits. They are a symbol of a defiant force, pushing and pushing everything ahead into submission.
Five
That was for the 6 – 0 loss to them years ago that ruined Wenger’s 1000th match with us! Love this team so much!!!
The margin we have beaten all “small” clubs this year.
Sorry that I predicted 3 -1, should stop underestimating this team.
No, please keep underestimating this team. I hope they can prove you wrong in every remaining match.
Just listened to the players interview and Leo fucking Trossard just says “it’s like I said before ”
Why isn’t nobody listening or fucking telling us ? Am loving it
Well, that was pleasant viewing
An instant classic!
Fucking marvellous
When it was still 1-0 just before White put in his first I was thinking to myself “it could easily have been 5-0 by now, this Chelsea team is no better than any of the ones we put 5 or 6 past and probably worse, but are we going to get punished by our profligacy??”
Well it could’ve easily been 12-0 by the end, so many sitters and other decent chances missed by us…
That sounds a bit negative. Just mean we basically played them off the pitch today and the score wasn’t even reflective of that, we completely broke their spirit.
Chelsea bottled it…isn’t that what you say when, like Arsenal last season, you lose matches with lots of injuries…
But wow, hope we keep it going!
Right…
What was absolutely conspicuous to me is that how much Party has added to our team today. I think we missed him a lot.
Yep – when he’s on, he is very very on! That first-time touch into Declan’s path for Trosser’s goal was pure defence-splitting magic.
Let’s really rub it in and make an offer for Palmer in the break.
I always chuckle when a Chelsea supporter claims we bottled it last season while they finished in the bottom half of the league.
This year top half is still not clinched for them…
“He’ll do it all night, Ben White” Ally McCoist
He is doing the famous Mydrik cross
The reactions to his 2nd were priceless. Arteta for once not going for instant hugs.
Did he mean to do that? With Benjamin I could just about believe it, his technique and cool demeanor (whether in front of goal or anywhere else), I think he has the potential to be one of the best scoring full backs in the PL ever if he keeps getting in these positions
I fully thought he meant it when it first went in. I think his sheepish grin said otherwise though.
Given the game was already won I could also believe him (and only him) reacting like that to an absolutely brilliant goal he just scored with a fully intentional volley chip over the keeper from a tight angle
Ally McCoist is the most annoying commentator. He just talks crap for the sake of it. Somehow makes me miss Gary Neville
I really…….reaaaallllllllllyyyyyyy……really enjoyed that
I loved his first – only because the dodgy coke-dealer-from-some-unmentionable South American-cartel, that is Cuccurella, was trying to strong-arm him away from their keeper – and had a complete hissy fit when Benny scored!
TP, Rice and odegarrd best midfield 3 in the league.
Some of us have been saying it all season that Partey is a big miss. Imagine some people on Twitter trying to tell us he is past it. Such a shame his injury record and now age. No DM in the world does what he does on the ball, none!
Ignore the Insta-grat brats,bruv – they live from one sensation to the next. Injuries don’t exist, players don’t get fatigue, and goals must be scored every 30 minutes, minimum!
Honestly, it’s a crazy thing to see. Seen one post before halftime saying Arteta had blood on his hands for not playing a fit Partey since. So reactionary, it does my head in!
Was this the first time all season that they have all started together?
I think so. If TP5 can be fit and find some form for the remaining games he’d be a big boost. He’s always needed a little time to find rhythm but he’s a top player once he gets in the groove
I’ve had misgivings about Partey for several reasons, but he played well this evening and seems to be getting back into the swing of things.
Kai celbrating the 1st goal.. shows what shambles that Chel$ki side is ..
what a nice day indeed
YOU BEAUTIES
Just sublime!
Great start with an early goal, but after missing a couple of easy chances we became nervous. I was expecting them to up their game in the second half but I think the players and Arteta deserved huge credit for displaying and elite half of football with ruthless attacking performances and professional defending.
Still VAR should be investigated for missing another potential leg breaker second game in a row.
Up the Arse!
Agree. Given the overall beauty of the night it will get lost but for VAR to check that challenge and do nothing is very, very smelly. Sorry to sound like a killjoy Forest fan!
Totally. Actually after a big win is maybe the better time to make a fuss. We’re not moaning about a decision that cost us, but politely drawing attention to a bad challenge that could easily have injured Tomi. Could have injured anyone, but it would have been gutting for him when he is coming back from so many absences
Need to sack Webb and all the other inept idiots involved in using the system. It is a video replay but as usual the human element makes a mockery of it.
Great performance and result from the team though. Seriously how much did Chelsea shell out on their midfield though? Our £30million captain was a different level to them.
Fuck me! How did they not review that leg-breaker? Bloody disgrace.
They did review it, which somehow makes it worse…
This is a classic performance from the boys.
That felt very special.
And it could have been double
Well, that was immensely satisfying.
Love how hard Havertz celebrated so hard for his first goal, then didn’t for his second in pity.
The hairs tantrum after Benny scored his first goal is fucking hilarious and worthy of a meme 🙂
What makes it even funnier is that he was initially man marking White the just sort of moved around randomly and ended up marking nobody. Mustafiesque
And seconds before that corner, he was on his arse calling for the ref! And White looking at him from above like “stop crying young boy”
Yep – took it upon himself to ‘protect’ his keeper from Big Bad Benny… ooops!
yes – it’s a joy to see such a bellend be so consistently bad – Chelsea’s Anthony 🙂
‘The hair’ more annoying and obnoxious than guendouzis
Arsenal sure have a second wind in their sails. Beat Spurs on Sunday and it will take City winning all their games to stop us.
The GD column is one massive point for the team.
Oh Partey oh Partey.
Feat with could have done if you were fit.
Good to see you back.
Imagine having had him fully fit with his pace to chase down Bayern’s lethal counter-attacking, probably would’ve conceded at least one if not two less goals across both legs and might’ve won it 😓
Partey and Rice midfield is insane. Again on Sunday please
I wrote on one of the Wolves threads about how a ticking Thomas just unleashes Declan to cause havoc further forward…. never was a prophesy so bloody satisfying!
If he had played against Bayern I think we’d have gone thru.
That was epic, I love everything about what I just witnessed. 2 for White?? You gotta be kidding me.
Was sitting on the sofa with fingers crossed for the ironic Ole’s and then they came. That was almost more satisfying than a 6th goal.
Me too!! Just before they began I was legit oleing in my head 😂
Thomas is back on time to join the Partey.
COYG!
Get in
Where do they find the energy?
Amazing effort and Ode is PL’s best player., no doubt about it.
He is pure magic! He could’ve had 8 assists, jaw dropping imagination and the way he imposes himself on games. Our fucking captain needs a ballon for soon!
A throughly enjoyable night.
We dismantled a feeble Chelsea side with the minimum of effort. We dominated the first half but somehow only managed to score one goal. But in the second period we were ruthless.
A number of terrific performances all over the pitch but Odegaard was head and shoulders above everybody else.
Big up Ben “Messi” White too.
The goal difference is probably unassailable now so level on points should win us the title.
Boring Arsenal.
I thought TP was excellent – caveat I was in the clock end close to the pitch so not the best view to judge – but he seemed to shut down everything and was tidy on the ball
Agreed. Trossard had a great game too.
The only slight disappointment tonight was Saka. He looks very tired and should have come off earlier. I’d actually like to see Jesus start instead of Saka at Spuds. Partey should definitely begin the NLD too.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but was that not the first time we’ve seen the TP / Ode / Rice combo start in midfield? I cant think of too many better combinations in modern times, it’ll be a travesty if we only get to see them play together a handful of times… I’d probably go the same line up against spuds – tross has secured that left hand berth – Saka was quiet and agreed he should have come off earlier, but I don’t think we have much to gain resting him against spuds with only 3 games after to… Read more »
You’re right about the midfield.
I believe we can get more from that right wing position than Saka is giving right now. He looks shattered.
I detest Chavski so this was bliss 🥳🥳🥳🥳
Arteta must have sprayed Partey down with some WD40, no more rust! He was immense and so dynamic.
Like it
Damn! Almost forgot how good Partey is! Looked like he’s been playing with Arsenal all season long.
We’re not gonna hear the last of it from blogs regarding Ben White. That man crush is gonna be out of control after that performance. Brace yourselves guys 😅
Golden Thighs. Nobody does it better.
Love the nod to James Bond there 👍
Oh I’m with him all the way 💖
Fuck Chelsea!
Chelsea’s shit.
First and foremost, amazing performance. What bothered me was how few people were left at the end to applaud the team off after that amazing performance. We are five games away from potentially winning the league for the first time in 20 + years and the stadium is half empty at the end. Disappointing element of another wise sublime performance.
It’s because “stadiums are empty everywhere we go…”
I’ll grab my coat.
Emptying stadiums everywhere we go .
I left with a few minutes to spare as the game was won and I didn’t fancy the shuffle down Holloway Road when I won’t be back home until 2am and have to get up for work at 6am – I’m sure many others who travel a distance did the same
Very naughty and against the rules.
I do hope you didn’t celebrate too much?
I doffed my cap as a mark of respect shortly before making my exit – Richard keys won’t have liked that
THey left to form a guard of dishonour for all the Chavs fleeing for the Tube.
Even if we win the league at home on the last day they’ll be a few leaving early to beat the rush for the tube! God bless them
Great team performance, and I want to say that’s the best performance from Partey for a while. Had a great game in the most part, keeping things moving forward with balls through the lines. Imagine how good this team would have been with a fully fit TP.
Pure bliss.
Now for the spuds.
Whilst I’ve no sympathy for Chelsea, I think the decision to play 7 minutes injury time may be in breach of UN rules on Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
I agree, the officials should be prosecuted for breach of human rights 😆
Spot the moron with the blow up silver cup? Bought it at Poundland just like Abramovich bought the original with dodgy roubles.
I reckon Boehly’s signed an unbreakable contract to buy inflatable ones for the next eight years.
i m p e r i a l !
A taste of partey rice at last! Odegaard!! Words are not good enough to describe that performance! Perfect prelude to NLD!!! COYG!!!
Really wanted Havertz score third but even more wanted Benny Blanco to hit the hat trick. That would have been so satisfying.
What an enjoyable night of football!
It looked like Havertz wasn’t excited on White’s second goal. Was he just being calm or did he expect a cross for his own third?
Looks like Partey is cooking nicely to score another screamer against Spu*rs on Sunday. COYG.
So many things to love about that game, but my key takeaway: Martin Ødegaard is a world class player. No doubting it. Absolutely 100% world class. We are blessed to have him.
World class implies that in the world there are others like him.
He is above world class, he is simply the best.
Oh my God!
What a match!
This is by far the most assured game of the season.
The triumvirate of Partey-Declan-Ødegaard is definitely the best midfield combo we can field currently.
I’d have said this is our best possible line up, but I’d wait for Timber to come in.
COME ON YOU RIP ROARING GUNNERS!!!
Absolute beauty.
Fernandez trying to showboat against Partey at 4-0 down and making zero ground with the ball, all while getting cheered by the fans, was wonderful.
Easy!
Martin Odegaard. What a player!
Enzo, Mudryk, Caicedo, Jackson — seven more years on your contracts, boys. Seven more years.
Sounds worse than a prison sentence.
I’d imagine there are people who have committed serious offences who do less time than that.
10 for each player, 10 for each coach, 10 for every Arsenal fan!!!
Cue the Oprah gif
For all the silky attacking work; it was yet another clean sheet. Win the title or not, we are going to push City all the way. People keep saying they can win 10 or more in a row during the run in. But they know now, one mistake and we pounce.
Beautiful. 5-0 against the most dislikable club with the most nauseating fans in history. There is a God.
Careful with that assessment. The Newcastle fans have worked hard to earn that title the last two seasons.
I personally hate Chelsea the most, so that performance and that result are the sweetest for me all season.
I totally agree. My 2nd team is whoever is playing Chelsea.
This is the way. I need many more of these results against Chelski to settle the score from their financial doping. There was an inevitability to facing them when Drogba led the line. They can feckin get in the bin. Our Captain having his best season as a professional and leading the demolition. This game will become a classic rewatch.