Martin Odegaard scored a brace to help Arsenal produce one of the most comfortable football scores of the weekend in the Premier League. The Gunners entered the game hoping to bounce back from their 4-1 beating at the hands of championship rivals Manchester City, and they did it with aplomb in a lopsided first half. The first two goals were scored by Martin Odegaard, who twice took advantage of poor Chelsea defense to finish crosses from Granit Xhaka. Gabriel Jesus later added the third goal from close range. Noni Madueke’s goal for Chelsea midway through the second half should have put Mikel Arteta’s team far out of reach, but it turned out to be simply a consolation for the visitors, who are currently in 12th position and whose season is still going downhill.
The reenergized hosts pinned Chelsea back in their own half and applied nearly constant pressure, making it evident that Arsenal was determined to put an end to the recent slump in form. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s heroic save at the feet of Granit Xhaka in the fifth minute, after right-back Cesar Azpilicueta had sold him short with a bad backward header, was to thank for preventing Lampard’s team from going behind earlier. Azpilicueta’s issues were just getting started, though, as Arsenal quickly ran amok on that side after Xhaka twice found an unmarked Odegaard and he scored expertly each time, giving Kepa little chance.
In between Odegaard’s shots, Aaron Ramsdale made a full-stretch save from Ben Chilwell, but it was Chelsea’s first and only opportunity in a terrible first-half performance, and up at the other end, the punishment quickly started. The Blues twice failed to clear their lines after Ben White’s right-wing cross, which allowed Jesus to score his 10th Premier League goal of the season from close range, leading to Arsenal’s third goal. When it was announced that Kai Havertz would replace former home striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at halftime due to his lackluster first-half performance, the crowd was clearly enjoying the moment.
Once play resumed, Arsenal continued where it left off in the first half, forcing a string of opportunities, with Thiago Silva clearing a Gabriel Magalhaes header off the line and Kepa saving shots from Xhaka, Saka, and Odegaard. More Arsenal goals seemed to be coming, but Madueke’s goal, which came after Arsenal’s defensive frailty, gave the visitors something to hold onto and set up a tense finish with the home supporters fearful of giving up yet another advantage. Mykhailo Mudryk’s speed after being introduced caused a few alarms, but Arsenal held on despite a late injury scare to center-back Gabriel Magalhaes, achieving a much-needed victory and demonstrating that, while their London rivals sluggishly occupy 12th place.
“We were who we were. That’s what I asked for. I desired to see that spirit, tenacity, fluidity, movement, and purpose in our play. That was present from the start. You already know what occurs when we are able to connect with our audience as a result of it. Because they established the tone for the remainder of the game, the goals were extremely helpful,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said. “Early on, we tried to [push Chelsea back]. We were aware that they would struggle if we outplayed them and entered the final third. We let them run for the past 30 minutes, and with the players they have, transitional situations are going to be difficult. When compared to City, the performance was very different. We needed to significantly improve in many areas, and I believe we have in the opening hour of tonight’s play.”
“The first half’s performance fell well short of expectations. Too passive and nice to play against. The line wasn’t coming up defensively, which gave them room. We weren’t playing over their press while we had the ball. We did everything that makes you a pleasant team to play against. Although the second half was superior, the outcome had already been largely determined,” Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said. “For 20 years, Chelsea enjoyed great domestic success and Champions League victories, but at the moment, we’re not in that situation. Since I’ve been here, I can see it very well. It doesn’t matter where you play in the Premier League if you want to be a pleasant opponent to play against and constantly play short passes with no obligation to retain the ball at the top of the pitch.”
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