Arsenal have returned to the Premier League summit and, while they are unlikely to remain there long, they did so in style by brushing aside struggling London rivals Chelsea.
Three-nil up after 34 minutes Arsenal’s victory was more comprehensive than the 3-1 scoreline suggests as they dominated Tuesday’s match at the Emirates.
Martin Odegaard scored identikit goals after 18 and 34 minutes, sweeping in passes from the left by Granit Xhaka. Gabriel Jesus then took advantage of shambolic defending to net a third.
With Manchester City at home to West Ham United on Thursday morning AEST the Gunners can expect to be dethroned quickly, but they showed how well they can play with some scintillating football.
However, there were also episodes of the casual defending that has cost them in recent weeks. Noni Madueke took advantage in the 65th-minute to score just the Blues’ second goal in eight games.
There was never any likelihood of a Chelsea comeback however, and Arsenal eased to their first win in five matches, a spell that has left their title chances no longer in their own hands, but relying on City dropping points.
The Gunners are now two points clear at the top but have played two games more than City.
Chelsea, who have now lost six in six since Frank Lampard returned as caretaker manager, remain in the bottom half of the table, but probably safe being nine points clear of the relegation zone.
The visitors began with former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line in his first start since November – in the 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal. But he was withdrawn at halftime after nine touches – including four from taking kickoffs.
Odegaard admitted the team was determined to bounce back after being taken apart by Manchester City last week.
“Especially the first half was brilliant. We came out and showed a different spirit to last time,”Odegaard said.
“I’m very happy with the first half, the second was a bit messy but three points and a good win and we needed this one.
“Everyone was so hurt after the game [against City]. We used the anger and the disappointment to get back into this game. You can lose games but the way we lost, we didn’t play our game and weren’t ourselves, that was the most painful thing, and we wanted to show a different side and we definitely did.”
Chelsea coach Frank Lampard’s return to the club has been disastrous.
“Not good enough first half, that’s what confirms the result. Much better second half, but not good enough first half,”said Lampard.
“We were too nice to play against in all aspects in the first half. In the second half we played much more like a team that has a threat up top. In the first half we were too easy to play against.
“It’s tough because you want to win games, but it’s our job, we’ll work on it.”
Arsenal, already without the infulential nWilliam Saliba, watched central defender Gabriel force4d off before the end.
“The first 60 minutes, I thought the team played really well, we need to be us, and that was everything I want to see from our team,”said Arteta.
“Speed, quality, movement, two beautiful goals, we connected with our crowd and created an incredible atmosphere. They have been incredibly supportive of what we have done and we wanted to earn the right to be top of the league. We are, and happy to be there.”
On the injury to Gabriel, Arteta said: “He could not carry on, we have to assess him, he was not comfortable.”
On two-goal Martin Odegaard he added: “He has 14 goals this season, his contribution to the team, his leadership skills, I’m really pleased with him.”
Lampard has lost each of the last 10 matches he’s taken charge of across all competitions – the first English manager to lose 10 in a row while in charge of a top-flight team since 1988 – and has won just once in his last 20 matches as a manager.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said Chelsea were an “absolute mess”.
“Absolutely shocking from Chelsea,” Carragher said during his commentary for Sky Sports. “This club is an absolute mess. This could get an awful lot worse unfortunately for Lampard, his staff and supporters.
“It’s embarrassing from Chelsea. It’s like five aside. Three of them sat on their backsides. It sums Chelsea’s season up. To see how far they have fallen in these last 12 months is astonishing.
“It tells you spending all the money you have is nonsense. You need to create a connection. Todd Boehly, the plans and ideas he had, it doesn’t work doing that.
“They still have quality players on the pitch. To lose six games on the bounce is not acceptable. To think of the success this club has had. Since Arsenal last won the title Chelsea have won 19 trophies.
“Chelsea expect the best, expect standards. This is a million miles away from it.”
“It’s the worst run since I’ve been at the club,” Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta said on Sky Sports. “We’re the ones playing on the pitch and we have to turn this around. It’s hard for everybody and we have to come through these moments. Off the pitch we have a lot of things to work on.”
Former Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer, who played for the Blues, told the BBC: “I have to say, Chelsea, absolutely all over the place defending. You see the Chelsea players, they’re all ball-watching, nobody’s defending.
“There are big names in the Chelsea team but they have had a dreadful season by Chelsea standards. They are a side really low on confidence. Nobody is putting their neck on the line. Nobody is going out there trying to express themselves.
“If you look at Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus is their number nine, his contribution all over is immense. Arsenal have spread the goals among a number of players and that has been key for them this season. You look at Chelsea and it’s the complete opposite. Arsenal deserve to be where they are, they’ve played very well tonight and over the course of the season.”
Newshttps://www.theroar.com.au/2023/05/03/we-used-the-anger-gunners-bounce-back-to-crush-dismal-chelsea-return-to-the-summit/‘We used the anger’: Gunners bounce back to crush ‘disgraceful’ Chelsea, Lampard loses TEN in a row
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