Emile Smith Rowe scored the only goal of the match as Arsenal recorded a 1-0 win over Chelsea in Wednesday evening's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
The result has moved the Gunners above Everton into eighth position in the Premier League table, while Chelsea remain fourth, six points clear of fifth-placed West Ham United, who now have a game in hand.
Kai Havertz missed a big chance for Chelsea in the 11th minute of the contest as he fired over the crossbar after breaking into a shooting area, and Arsenal took the lead less than five minutes later, with the Gunners helped by a poor piece of play from Blues midfielder Jorginho.
Indeed, Kepa Arrizabalaga had to scramble back towards his own goal to keep out a back pass from Jorginho, but the ball fell for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who picked out Smith Rowe, and the Englishman simply could not pass up the chance to make breakthrough at Stamford Bridge.
Mason Mount twice came close to drawing Chelsea level in the period that followed, but the first half ended with Arsenal holding a one-goal advantage in the London derby.
The Blues had the ball in the back of the net just past the hour through Christian Pulisic, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR check, with the American clearly in an offside position.
Thomas Tuchel's side continued to press for a leveller as the second period gathered pace, with Kurt Zouma and Olivier Giroud both hitting the crossbar late on, but it was not to be for the FA Cup and Champions League finalists, who are not yet secure of a spot in the top four.
Arsenal, though, have given their European hopes a huge boost and will now be targeting two more victories in their final two league matches of the season against Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion.
HIGHLIGHTS
6th min: Mount works a shooting opportunity for the home side before attempting to find the back of the net, but Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno is on hand to make the save.
11th min: Huge chance for Chelsea to make the breakthrough as Havertz takes the ball away from Pablo Mari before advancing into a one-on-one situation with Leno, but the Germany international misses the crossbar; big opportunity for the home side to score first at Stamford Bridge.
HUGE CHANCE 😲
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2021
Kai Havertz squanders a wonderful opportunity to put Chelsea ahead
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16th min: Arsenal take the lead in the 16th minute of the match as Smith Rowe taps a low Aubameyang cross into the back of the net; it was a horror mistake from Jorginho in the build-up, with Kepa needing to keep out a back pass from the Chelsea midfielder, but the danger was not cleared, and Arsenal managed to force the ball into the back of the net for 1-0.
WOW 😲
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2021
Arsenal lead after a calamity mistake from Jorginho!
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22nd min: Chance for Chelsea to level the scores as Pulisic picks out Mount with a low cross, but the England international's effort, which was on target, is blocked by Rob Holding.
28th min: Smart save from Leno to keep out a strike from Mount, who had collected a pass from Havertz before attempting to find the back of the net.
32nd min: Half-chance for Chelsea as Kurt Zouma's header falls for Pulisic, who attempts to nod the ball towards goal, but his effort drops over the crossbar.
36th min: A mistake from Bukayo Saka allows Ben Chilwell to deliver a low cross into the Arsenal box, but Mohamed Elneny does excellently to make the clearance in a crowded box.
48th min: Chelsea have a shout for a penalty as Havertz goes down inside the box under a challenge from Gabriel, but the referee is not interested, and VAR agree with the official's decision.
56th min: Reece James delivers a brilliant low cross towards Havertz, who just needs to get a touch on the ball, but Leno is on hand to claim ahead of his fellow German.
61st min: Chelsea think that they have levelled the scores as Pulisic converts from close range, but the goal is disallowed following a VAR check; it was clearly offside.
NO GOAL ❌
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2021
Pulisic thinks he has levelled but VAR rules it out for offside
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71st min: Opportunity for Arsenal to score a second as Kieran Tierney works the ball down the left before delivering a low cross into Martin Odegaard, but the Norway international misses the target.
85th min: Routine save for Leno to keep out a strike from Pulisic, who was on the stretch and failed to generate any serious power on a cross from the left.
Was that the chance? 😬
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2021
Pulisic looks through but it just gets away from him!
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90th min: Incredible drama at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea twice hit the crossbar, first through Zouma, before Giroud smashes against the woodwork from close range.
MAN OF THE MATCH - EMILE SMITH ROWE
© Reuters
Smith Rowe scored the only goal of the match at Stamford Bridge, but the attacker's overall performance was impressive, especially in the second half when Arsenal were struggling to get hold of the ball.
The 20-year-old, who finished the match with a pass success rate of 90%, was calm and composed in possession, while he was always willing to take the ball under pressure, and there is no question that he played a vital role in the visitors securing a huge three points.
STANDOUT MOMENT
© Reuters
Jorginho's mistake allowed Arsenal to make the breakthrough, with the Italian playing a blind pass back towards his own goal, with Kepa nowhere to be seen, and the Spaniard had to race back to prevent the own goal; the danger was not cleared, though, and the Gunners scored through Smith Rowe.
The 29-year-old has been impressive for the Blues in recent weeks, particularly in the Champions League, but the experienced midfielder will not look back on that particular incident too fondly.
BEST STAT
8 - Chelsea have made eight errors leading to opposition goals in the Premier League this season, a number surpassed only by Liverpool (9). It's Chelsea's most in a single league campaign since 2015-16 (9). Habits.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 12, 2021
MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 68%-32% Arsenal
Shots: Chelsea 19-5 Arsenal
Shots on target: Chelsea 5-2 Arsenal
Corners: Chelsea 9-1 Arsenal
Fouls: Chelsea 7-6 Arsenal
LINEUPS
CHELSEA (3-4-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta (Ziyech 78'), Silva, Zouma; James, Gilmour (Hudson-Odoi 46'), Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz (Giroud 65'), Pulisic
ARSENAL (3-4-2-1): Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Pablo Mari; Saka (Bellerin 66', Chambers 88'), Thomas, Elneny, Tierney; Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang (Lacazette 79')
Matt Law
