Arsenal beat Chelsea to restore five-point lead at top of Premier League
Timber headed Gunners winner from another corner shortly before Neto sent off for second yellow card
Blues had earlier equalised through Hincapie own goal after Saliba scored
Blues stay sixth, three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool
That's it for our coverage but as usual you can watch highlights and analysis on Match of the Day tonight on BBC One and iPlayer at 22:35 GMT.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Frustrated. Disappointed. If we don't eradicate the set-play issues that have started to creep into our game and our discipline issues, then for all of the good things we do in the game, we are not going to get what we want to achieve.
"It is something we need to address. There is certain focus and concentration issues that we have to address. We worked on set-plays all week and, as a manager, that makes it even more difficult to swallow.
"We knew Arsenal's one of their biggest strengths is that. It needs to stop. For all of that, I am tired of coming out - we have had one difficult performance against Burnley, which we should win anyway. Leeds, we were very good, and we gifted two goals away. Today, to come away at Arsenal and perform how we have done in large parts - give away two goals is really, really disappointing."
On the red card: "Same story. Two things - anyone watching this game or the previous two games there is two things we have to improve. Which is discipline and defending set-plays and if we can do that, then we can still have a very, very good season.
"To be honest, again for Enzo [Maresca], I have a huge respect for him as a coach and as a man. He tried really hard, and I will continue not to speak about what has happened before.
"We have slipped back into something that I don't like to see."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Robbie Savage
Forest Green Rovers manager on BBC Radio 5 Live
Five points clear at the top of the league. It doesn't matter about the performance. It is all about the three points.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Daniel Sturridge
Former Liverpool striker on Sky Sports
We can talk about the roller coaster in terms of the way they go about winning. I think the entertainment value sometimes isn't there but football's a game about winning.
I think it's about stopping them being great at what they're great at. Clearly set pieces is an area they've worked on tirelessly. You've got to have the players to be pinpoint deliverers of crosses, then you need the aggressive players in the box. They've got all the tools for the players who want to have the first contact.
They've got many ways to win games but it seems set pieces is the one that works the best for them right now.
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Very, very happy.
"The players made an incredible performance as well and put so much into the game. After the great victory against Spurs, this would be even another level of difficulty.
"Against 10 men, I expected a different game.
"Look at the quality on the pitch - immense, but set-pieces are still the ones that made the difference. They are so good at that, and we are so good at that as well."
On Declan Rice being substituted: "He was feeling some discomfort, and he needed to be substituted."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Matt Upson
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother assignment [for Chelsea]: don't get sent off.
A bit of homework to do on that front, and it is costing them to be honest. Chelsea in the first 15 minutes of the second half played well and looked the more threatening team.
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was tough. Chelsea are a great team they have amazing players. It was a nice goal to watch and happy we came out with three points.
On his goal: "I tried and it worked out. Three goals from set pieces today. It was hard to defend but we are good at attacking them as well and luckily it was in our advantage today. I wasn't alone, I was marked but I think Declan Rice's delivery was amazing. The opportunity was there and I took it."
On the overall performance: "Chelsea are a great team. The first half going in at 1-1 was a bit of a shame. We didn't give much away. We were quite dominant. You have to score more goals. Both sides were really good, it was a nice game to watch for the fans and our crowd got us through it and the three points were very important."
On his relationship on the right with Bukayo Saka: "Bukayo is a special player, everyone know his talent and his qualities and he shows us every week so I just try to feed him and put him in the best positions possible. Today was massive for us and on to the next game."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: "Big win, I'm very happy. For big periods the team performed in an excellent way, the margin should have been bigger at half-time. The moment we conceded was painful, but the quality of Chelsea...
"After their red card we should have managed that situation better but we will talk about this tomorrow.
"They have so much quality, even when they use the keeper they can get out of situation with 10 men. We didn't adjust too well, sometimes you take things for granted. Something to improve there.
"They [Chelsea] have players who can occupy various spaces - Cole [Palmer] can play false nine and occupy these spaces, he needs just one square metre to turn and activate players. they have quality, big personalities, they are really well coached. They are so good a turning in tight spaces, Caicedo, Enzo [Fernandez], Cole. It's impressive, they are a top side."
On the importance of set-pieces: "Very important, Chelsea are the second best with one less goal, look at the talent they have. We have lost points to long throws, lately we haven't scored from many set-pieces. Today we did it, to have these options is great.
"They can be a nightmare to defend against. On tactics boards we can resolve any situation, but when it's live and they are so aggressive, pushy, effective, difficult to handle, it's very tough.
On bouncing back from Wolves draw: "The way we have reacted to that disappointing result has been top. The manner we dealt with that was top. I thought we were good, good human beings and wanting to win, but the level they are in now is another one.
"The feeling that you have to continue to win and win and win, you win so many games but it is not enough to open a gap. This is the beauty and the level of this league."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Frustrated with the end result. A lot of good things in our game but we were undone by two set pieces like we were against Burnley last week.
On good performances: "There were some outstanding performance. Technically and tactically but we were undone by moments. Same as against Burnley and against Leeds."
On the red cards his team have received "I have respect for the previous manager Enzo [Maresca]. I don't speak about what happened before but it is starting to happen with me. That's something I felt we had addressed, we went 10 games without a red card, now two in two games and that's a problem we need to solve and the set play issue is something we need to keep working on."
On Pedro Neto getting booked for dissent and then making a tackle shortly after: "Probably not to be honest,it's very simple. It's something that we need to address, not just Pedro but as a team to make sure we have 11 men on the pitch."
On pushing the league leaders: "I don't want to push the league leaders very hard. We're Chelsea, we want to win games of football. Between both boxes, we were very, very good. I felt we were the better team by far in the second half but we weren't ruthless in the moment. Their goalkeeper makes very good saves and at the other end we concede two goals from corners."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's been the same story for the last three games. It's the same story. In the ascendancy in all the games. What I never do is start pointing the finger, but it's clear what we need to improve. We need to make sure we are ruthless in both boxes and to concede from two corners and get another red card, it is the story of our season.
"The first goal is top. Arsenal are probably the best team in the world at them. The second one is just disappointing. We have to do better. I don't want to keep coming out here nd saying all the good that we do. There is a lot to sort out before we go to Aston Villa.
"It's a combination. The marking, the zone players. The goalkeeper is involved. I won't single out. I will address it on the training ground.
On what's going wrong: "It's a difficult thing to put your finger on. We get paid to win football matches and if you think we haven't addressed that, it's crazy. I thought the pain of dropping two points against Leeds and Burnley would have got us going.
"I thought the set-up tactically was good. Arsenal didn't cause any problems until set plays.
On Cole Palmer's position: "We just felt that we wanted to be compact in our shape and he is a magnificent footballer. We wanted to give him space to create.
On the penalty shout: "I haven't seen it back. I genuinely haven't. There has been a lot of talk about holding and how you mark in the box. I have to give their keeper credit. It's just a bitterly disappointing day because we lacked discipline and gave
On gap to Champions League spots: "We are playing them. If we solve this problem, we have a great chance and it's very simple."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal defender William Saliba speaking to Sky Sports: "We should not concede the goal before half time but we did well to score in the second half. We have to keep going and we are happy to win today in front of our fans.
On his celebration: "It's been a while that I haven't scored and it is unusual to score from one yard so I am so happy and I hope I will keep going like this."
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Arsenal are boring, but efficient. Neto cost us the game and should fined by Chelsea. I think Chelsea contained and scared Arsenal, but not enough.
Phil, Kent
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We knew it was going to be a tough game. They are a top side, really well coached. I think we did some great things throughout the game. The moment we conceded the goal, it was disappointing, but we had the whole second half to play. We should have kept the ball a lot better when they had 10 men.
"We knew the importance of the individual duels at set plays because they are a top side attacking and defending them.
On Jurrien Timber: "He is improving a lot in our phases of play, attacking and defending in both boxes.
On penalty shout: "I haven't seen it back, but it was a big battle all the time.
On David Raya: "The last save that he made, fabulous. We shouldn't be in that position
"We are really happy because we know we had two difficult games in the last week or so. The attitude and willingness ot go for it and be dominant, I am happy with it.
"In March, we are in every competition, we are right up there."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Patrick Vieira
Former Arsenal captain on Sky Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesFrom an Arsenal point of view, what really matters is the three points. When you look at the game deeper, scoring two goals from set-pieces, it wasn't open.
When you are top of the Champions League and Premier League table, you expect Arsenal to go forward. It was difficult for Arsenal to take chances. The expectation is higher, you expect more from Arsenal.
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chris Sutton
Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
Set-piece Arsenal, again. I think they are going to win it. If they get over the line – will they be the ugliest Premier League winning team in history? The performance wasn't there.
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Sanchez is a liability. He must go. It's only the manager transitions that have saved him this far. A liability.
KP
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea captain Reece James speaking to Sky Sports: "It's disappointing to walk away empty handed. When it was 1-1 we had a half chance to make it 2-1, their goalie made a good save, they got a set-piece and manage to score."
On the importance of set-pieces: "This is football now in 2026, 90% of goals are probably set piece. They [Arsenal] are one of the leaders in the world [at set-pieces].
"They are difficult to stop, they scored two today. Disappointed. But we scored one, we had another chance to score another but it wasn't meant to be today."
On Chelsea's disciplinary issues: "We've spoken about it, it's come up a number of times, every time it's someone different, not the same player. Internally we need to review and keep improving. It's a problem, we are playing in the toughest league in the world, you play against top or bottom 11 v 11 it's tough, 11 v 10 is even harder no matter who you are playing.
"I have no doubt in the team and staff, it didn't go our way today but we need to regroup and go again."
FT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chris Sutton
Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
From Chelsea's point of view, Pedro Neto let them down badly. What an idiot getting sent off like that.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber speaking to Sky Sports: "We deserved to win this game. First half we don't give much away. We go in at 1-1 but in the second half we finished it off which was top.
On the game being defined by corners: "Both sides, it became an important part of the game. Today we came out well and overall we played a good game. We took the three points and then important game on Wednesday [against Brighton] again."
On enjoying the battle: "We have to enjoy it. It is a privilege to be standing here with my team-mates, with Arsenal, we are fighting for these titles. You have to enjoy it, it's a beautiful place and we are enjoying it. Game by game and at the end hopefully something beautiful."
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After the early kick-off scores, are we surprised by a 2-1 home win for Arsenal?
David
At a glance
William Saliba opens scoring
Piero Hincapie own-goal levels the score
Jurrien Timber heads in from corner to give Arsenal the lead
Pedro Neto sent off after picking up two yellow cards
Arsenal scored from two trademark corners to beat 10-man Chelsea at Emirates Stadium and regain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Manchester City had heaped pressure on the Gunners by cutting their lead to two points with victory at Leeds on Saturday.
But after a cagey start with few chances, Arsenal opened the scoring from a corner in the 21st minute.
Centre back Gabriel Magalhaes headed Bukayo Saka's corner back across goal to his defensive partner William Saliba, whose header struck Mamadou Sarr on the arm before going into the net.
Chelsea grew into the match after going behind and threatened with their own set-pieces - scoring from a corner themselves just before half-time as Piero Hincapie flicked Reece James' delivery into his own net.
Chelsea started the second half better than their hosts - creating a nervy atmosphere inside the stadium - before Jurrien Timber headed in Declan Rice's corner.
Timber's goal, Arsenal's 16th from a corner this season, secured three crucial points in the title race.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had introduced Gabriel Martinelli from the substitutes bench and when the winger looked to launch a counter-attack, he was brought down by Pedro Neto.
It meant the Chelsea forward, who was already on a yellow card, saw red with 20 minutes left to play.
Liam Delap thought he had snatched a point late on for the away side when he bundled the ball in but Joao Pedro was well offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.
The win puts Arsenal on 64 points, five clear of Manchester City, having played a game more than their rivals.
Arteta delighted with win over 'top side' Chelsea
Arsenal's set-piece threat is nothing new. Their rivals go into games fully aware of it - and yet cannot stop it. And that is the most impressive thing about the Gunners' ongoing success from dead-ball situations.
This was not Arsenal's best performance of the season. But they displayed the character of potential champions by finding a way to win when things were not fully clicking.
Their set pieces were crucial, as they have been throughout the campaign. Arsenal tally of 16 goals from corners equals the most by any side in a single Premier League season, alongside Oldham in 1992-93, West Brom in 2016-17, and the Gunners themselves in 2023-24.
The Gunners have also gone 1-0 up from a corner on nine occasions in the top flight this season - in Premier League history, only the Southampton side of 1994-95 can match that. It shows how important their corners can be to unlocking a game. And no matter what the state of a match, their set-piece expertise always gives them a chance.
The battling nature of the win will please manager Arteta. His team showed they are ready to deal with the pressure of the title run-in.
David Raya had to produce a couple of excellent saves to keep Chelsea out - but the win was secured. And it allowed Arsenal supporters can celebrate a crucial three points as they look for a first title since 2004.
Chelsea won't achieve anything if they don't solve disciplinary problems - Rosenior
Chelsea imploded in an all-too-familiar manner despite being in the ascendancy during the second half at Emirates Stadium.
A second goal conceded from a corner, scored by Timber in the 66th minute, was followed by a cynical foul from Pedro Neto that earned him a second yellow card and, ultimately, his dismissal.
It was Chelsea's seventh Premier League red card of the season, leaving them two short of the division's record with 10 games still to play. The sending off swung momentum back in Arsenal's favour, and Chelsea were unable to recover.
It was also their ninth red card in all competitions. Before kick-off, head coach Liam Rosenior had suggest discipline was improving under his watch, but he has now seen players sent off in consecutive matches.
Pedro Neto will miss the midweek trip to Aston Villa, creating more headaches for Rosenior: Cole Palmer is a doubt, unable to play three matches a week because of ongoing fitness issues, and fellow attackers Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens are out injured.
His dismissal came just a week after Wesley Fofana's red card in the 1-1 draw against Burnley. Fofana's suspension allowed Sarr to make his first league start since returning to Chelsea in Sunday's match at Arsenal.
As with last weekend's collapse, when Zian Flemming headed in an added‑time equaliser from a corner, Chelsea "set fire" to points once again, to borrow Rosenior's phrase.
They again demonstrated the contrast between their attacking and defensive set‑piece output. James' deliveries created an own goal, two penalty shouts and a clear chance, but the same vulnerabilities persist at the other end.
And the same old questions will be asked of this Chelsea team - the youngest in the Premier League - who have not beaten Arsenal since the days of Thomas Tuchel's management and Roman Abramovich's ownership.
In the short term, Chelsea have lost further ground on rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, both of whom won this weekend. They will need to improve if they are to realise their ambition of returning to the Champions League for next season.
Both teams are back in Premier League action on Wednesday: Arsenal travel to Brighton, while Chelsea visit Aston Villa (both 19:30 GMT).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 58 | 22 | 36 | 64 |
| |
| 28 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 57 | 25 | 32 | 59 |
| |
| 28 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 50 | 38 | 12 | 51 |
| |
| 28 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 38 | 30 | 8 | 51 |
| |
| 28 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 47 | 37 | 10 | 48 |
| |
| 28 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 49 | 33 | 16 | 45 |
| |
| 28 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 44 | 40 | 4 | 43 |
| |
| 28 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 32 | 33 | -1 | 40 |
| |
| 28 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 40 | 42 | -2 | 40 |
| |
| 28 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 44 | 46 | -2 | 39 |
| |
| 28 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 38 | 35 | 3 | 37 |
| |
| 28 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 29 | 34 | -5 | 37 |
| |
| 28 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 40 | 42 | -2 | 36 |
| |
| 28 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 30 | 34 | -4 | 35 |
| |
| 28 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 37 | 47 | -10 | 31 |
| |
| 28 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 38 | 43 | -5 | 29 |
| |
| 28 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 26 | 41 | -15 | 27 |
| |
| 28 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 34 | 54 | -20 | 25 |
| |
| 28 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 32 | 56 | -24 | 19 |
| |
| 29 | 2 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 51 | -31 | 13 |
|
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Liam Rosenior
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Arsenal |
2' | Chelsea |
3' | Chelsea |
4' | Chelsea |
5' | Arsenal |
6' | Chelsea |
7' | Arsenal |
8' | Arsenal |
9' | Chelsea |
10' | Chelsea |
11' | Arsenal |
12' | Arsenal |
13' | Chelsea |
14' | Chelsea |
15' | Chelsea |
16' | Chelsea |
17' | Arsenal |
18' | Chelsea |
19' | Chelsea |
20' | Arsenal |
21' | ArsenalGoal |
22' | Arsenal |
23' | Arsenal |
24' | Arsenal |
25' | Arsenal |
26' | Arsenal |
27' | Arsenal |
28' | Arsenal |
29' | Arsenal |
30' | Arsenal |
31' | Arsenal |
32' | Arsenal |
33' | Arsenal |
34' | Arsenal |
35' | Arsenal |
36' | Arsenal |
37' | Arsenal |
38' | Arsenal |
39' | Arsenal |
40' | Arsenal |
41' | Arsenal |
42' | Arsenal |
43' | Chelsea |
44' | Chelsea |
45' | Chelsea |
45'+1 | Chelsea |
45'+2 | ChelseaOwn Goal |
45'+3 | Chelsea |
45'+4 | Arsenal |
Half time 45'+5 | Arsenal |
46' | Arsenal |
47' | Arsenal |
48' | Arsenal |
49' | Arsenal |
50' | Arsenal |
51' | Arsenal |
52' | Chelsea |
53' | Chelsea |
54' | Chelsea |
55' | Arsenal |
56' | Chelsea |
57' | Chelsea |
58' | Chelsea |
59' | Chelsea |
60' | Chelsea |
61' | Chelsea |
62' | Chelsea |
63' | Chelsea |
64' | Chelsea |
65' | Chelsea |
66' | ArsenalGoal |
67' | Arsenal |
68' | Arsenal |
69' | Arsenal |
70' | ArsenalTwo Yellow Cards |
71' | Arsenal |
72' | Arsenal |
73' | Arsenal |
74' | Arsenal |
75' | Arsenal |
76' | Arsenal |
77' | Arsenal |
78' | Arsenal |
79' | Arsenal |
80' | Arsenal |
81' | Arsenal |
82' | Arsenal |
83' | Arsenal |
84' | Arsenal |
85' | Arsenal |
86' | Arsenal |
87' | Arsenal |
88' | Arsenal |
89' | Chelsea |
90' | Chelsea |
90'+1 | Chelsea |
90'+2 | Chelsea |
90'+3 | Chelsea |
90'+4 | Chelsea |
90'+5 | Chelsea |
90'+6 | Chelsea |
Full time 90'+7 | Chelsea |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Arsenal have won their last three home league games against Chelsea, last winning more consecutively between 1990 and 1994 (5).
Chelsea are winless in their last eight Premier League games against Arsenal (D3 L5), their longest since a run of 19 between 1995 and 2005.
In his second game in charge of Arsenal in December 2019, Mikel Arteta lost 2-1 at the Emirates against Chelsea. Since then, his Gunners side have lost just one of 15 games against the Blues in all competitions (W10 D4), beating them twice in the League Cup semi-final earlier this year.
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 25 Premier League London derby matches (W18 D6), a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham last February. Since the start of 2022-23, the Gunners have scored in all but two of 44 London derby games, both against West Ham (0-2 in December 2023, 0-1 in February 2025).
Only West Ham United (20) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League in 2025-26 than Chelsea (19). The Blues have scored first in their last two before drawing with Leeds and Burnley – they last failed to win three in a row despite going 1-0 up in each back in May 2016.
Chelsea have won each of their two away Premier League matches under manager Liam Rosenior so far. Liverpool’s Arne Slot was the last manager to win his first three away Premier League games in charge overall, while the last Englishman was Tim Sherwood at Spurs in 2013-14.
Only Tottenham Hotspur players (5) have made more errors leading to goals in the Premier League in 2026 than Arsenal’s (4), with 44% of the goals the Gunners have conceded this year coming from an error (4/9).
Chelsea have lost eight of their last nine away Premier League matches against sides starting the day top of the table, winning the other 2-1 against Man City in May 2021. They’ve played nine away top-flight games against Arsenal when the Gunners are top and won one (D2 L6), a 2-0 win in March 1948.
Chelsea have received six Premier League red cards this season, more than any other club and their joint-most ever in a single season. They saw Moisés Caicedo sent off against Arsenal earlier this season and have only received more reds against Liverpool (8) than the Gunners (7).
Eberechi Eze has scored each of his last 11 Premier League goals in London, with all six of his goals for Arsenal this season coming in London derbies (1 vs Crystal Palace, 5 vs Spurs), the most ever by a player in a season without scoring outside of London derby games. The last Gunners player with more derby goals in a season was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018-19 (7).
