There were three points for Arsenal instead after they played out a 1-0 win over Chelsea, returning to the winner’s list in the Premier League after three games without a win and stretching Chelsea’s run without an away league victory to seven (D2, L5)
The Gunners had taken control of the early exchanges and Robert Sánchez was called into action to deny Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli before the breakthrough came. Martin Ødegaard’s pinpoint corner found Mikel Merino, and his looping header flew over Sánchez for a lead that Arsenal deserved.
Missing the injured Cole Palmer, Chelsea found it very difficult to create, although Marc Cucurella came within a hair of equalizing when his volley squirmed through David Raya’s hands and rolled wide.
Chelsea lacked cutting edge in attack but had shown signs of improvement before halftime. Sánchez denied Merino a second goal with a great save in the 60th minute, and Arsenal held strong defensively. But Enzo Maresca’s team could not find a way through a well-drilled Arsenal side despite pushing for a late equalizer.
And while Arsenal’s 12-point deficit behind league leaders Liverpool looks irreversible, it tightened its grip on the Champions League berth, sitting now 10 points above the fifth-placed and fading Manchester City. The Blues stay fourth but are feeling the heat after extending a streak of league meetings without a win against Arsenal to seven (D2, L5).
