Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea: Kai Havertz and Ben White score twice each to give the Gunners a three-point lead | Football News

Report and highlights from free games as Arsenal move three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 5-0 win over Chelsea; Kai Havertz and Ben White score twice in the second half after Leandro Trossard's early lead

Arsenal made a major statement about their title chances when they beat Chelsea 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice each in a superb second-half performance from Mikel Arteta's side after Leandro Trossard scored an early lead in a full-fledged first period.

The stunning win, which came just three days after defeats to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win at Wolves, gives Arsenal a three-point lead over second-place Liverpool and gives them a four-point lead third ahead of champions Manchester City.

The title spotlight now turns to Liverpool, who face Merseyside rivals Everton live at Goodison Park Sky Sports on Wednesday, before City play the first of their two current games away at Brighton Sky Sports on Thursday.

For Chelsea, however, the bitter defeat, the club's heaviest in a London derby since 1986, after losing to City at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, dampens their hopes of securing a European title after a bitterly disappointing season to secure space.

How Arsenal blew Chelsea away

Before Arsenal's devastating second-half performance, the first half was more evenly balanced, although Trossard converted a deft diagonal finish from Declan Rice's pass in the fourth minute for his tenth Premier League goal of the season.

The Gunners created a number of chances to extend their lead, with Trossard seeing a deflected shot accidentally hit Djordje Petrovic after Chelsea goalkeeper Havertz had made a brilliant save, but as the hosts missed chances, Chelsea's confidence grew.

Mauricio Pochettino's side managed to find the gaps they needed to break through against the unusually open hosts and had chances to equalize, hitting the post when Nicolas Jackson's cutback bounced off Gabriel and almost duped David Raya .

Arteta looked frustrated on the touchline in those early stages, but managed to plug the gaps in his midfield by half-time and Arsenal quickly took control of the game against Chelsea, significantly increasing their already superior goal difference.

White added the second just seven minutes after the break, coolly finishing from a corner after Rice's shot bounced past Thomas Partey into his path, and the third came just five minutes later when Havertz denied Marc Cucurella and Petrovic scored a cool finish from Martin Odegaard's excellent ball in the background.

There was a party atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium by this point and Chelsea's collapse continued as Havertz received a pass from Bukayo Saka and took advantage of the visitors' more passive defense to send a low shot off the post and into the net, adding to his former side's misery worsened.

Arsenal continued to charge forward and White delighted the home fans even more when his first-time volley cross sailed over Petrovic and into the net. His embarrassed cheer suggested he didn't mean it. It wasn't really important to the hosts.

After that, they could have extended their lead, racking up a total of 27 shots as Chelsea continued to shrink, unable to stop an Arsenal machine that looks increasingly capable of giving the club its first Premier League title since to secure for two decades.

Arteta: It was a pleasure to watch us

arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta to TNT Sports:

“I'm happy with the win and the number of chances and goals we scored. The goals conceded also show the consistency of this team.”

“We had to be more disciplined in the second half to do the right things, we created a lot of chances and defended the penalty area much better.”

“I congratulated the players on making our fans happy in a big London derby and it was a joy to watch them play. Now it’s on to Spurs.”

“They know what we play for. They are so excited and into it. Even the players who didn’t play much were outstanding and that holds the team together.”

“My job is to keep challenging and challenging them, but also to give them the belief that they can do it, because that’s a very important thing.”

Poch: When we have bad days, we are so bad

Chelsea Head coach Mauricio Pochettino in his press conference:

“It's true that we didn't compete. I can't blame the players, as a team we show this inconsistency. That's why we are where we are, because we are able to put in an amazing performance and be back at it three days later.” other extreme.

“When we have bad days, we are so bad. If we are good, we are capable of anything. But we have to be clear that we have to improve for the future.”

“We can’t blame the players, I won’t blame the players. The circumstances are more important than the performance of the players.”

“We can’t blame the young guys who have come here and come here after some difficult circumstances to fight against a team who are preparing to win the Premier League.”

“We can’t be unfair to our players. It is true that we are disappointed with our performance, but I will not say anything that would be unfair to describe our team, our players, our squad.”

Chelsea's terrible defense – Opta stats

• Chelsea have conceded 57 goals in the Premier League this season, the most in a single season in the competition (overtaking the total of 55 from the 1994/95 and 1996/97 seasons).
• Arsenal recorded their biggest ever win in all competitions against Chelsea, while this was the Blues' heaviest defeat in a London derby since a 6-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers in March 1986.
• Arsenal picked up their 24th win of the Premier League season; their joint record after 34 games in a first division season after last season and the 2003/04 season under Arsene Wenger.

What's next?

arsenal continue their pursuit of the Premier League title against rivals Tottenham in the North London Derby this Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 2 p.m.

Chelsea are on the road again with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday. Kick-off 8 p.m. Mauricio Pochettino's then host rival from London Tottenhamcontinue to live Sky Sportson Thursday, May 2nd. Kick-off 7.30 p.m.

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