Summary

  • Use audio icon at the top of page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live updates and news

  • FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea - Aubameyang substituted at half-time after nine touches

  • Odegaard curls in opener from edge of penalty area before slotting in second and Jesus adds third

  • Madueke gives visitors slight hope with scrambled effort

  • Gunners will return to top of table with win

  • Chelsea lost all five games since Frank Lampard returned to club

  1. Thanks and goodbyepublished at 23:00 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    That's all for today on a day when Arsenal keep up the pressure on Manchester City by returning to the top of the Premier League table.

    Thanks for joining us and for your excellent comments. Bye for now.

  2. Arsenal outclass sorry Chelsea to return to top - read the reportpublished at 22:59 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

    Martin Odegaard celebrates his second goal against ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal delivered an emphatic warning that they remain serious title contenders as they outclassed abysmal Chelsea at Emirates Stadium to return to the top of the Premier League.

    The Gunners had gone four league games without a win and were heavily beaten last time out at reigning champions Manchester City, who replaced them at the summit with victory at Fulham on Sunday.

    Arsenal responded by producing a magnificent first-half display, racing into a 3-0 lead inside 34 minutes courtesy of two crisp strikes by captain Martin Odegaard and a scrambled finish by Gabriel Jesus.

    Chelsea, who fell to a sixth straight loss under interim manager Frank Lampard, were thankful to goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga that the scoreline was not even more embarrassing and even pulled one back through Noni Madueke.

    Arsenal, however, were never in serious danger and are now two points clear of City having played two games more than their title rivals.

  3. Postpublished at 22:55 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    There's bound to be an investigation into this one and Arsenal may well be in some bother as late on during the match a green laser was shone into the face of Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk.

    Mykhailo MudrykImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Not an overnight fix'published at 22:50 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Frank Lampard to Sky Sports: "We weren't good enough, we were too nice to play against, too passive. In possession we weren't playing balls over their press, or winning second balls.

    "Chelsea have been a big success for 20 years domestically and in the Champions League, at the moment we're not in that position. But from the moment I've been here it's been evident we're too nice as a team. We can't change things overnight but we better get their quickly because we have another game at the weekend and games to come.

    "The passive nature of our game you can attribute it to many things. There's the easy go to that the players don't care enough, but they do care. You can be low on confidence but still show a dynamic side to your games. All the things we spoke about before the game we didn't do.

    "We're a little bit conditioned at the moment which makes us too nice to play against. Maybe it was a different gap years ago but that's football. We have to think of ourselves and perform to a level. From what this season tells you, from start to finish, we have to find the reasons quickly. It's not an overnight fix.

    "This is something that really has to be corrected. There are a lot of parts to it, Arsenal are a team that has been building for three years. They work on an idea and a way. For me it's impossible to come in for three weeks and work on those things.

    "The main answer is simple. We have to do the basics better and then we'll get some progress. It's clear tonight for me. The first half is nowhere near good enough. But it's the reality. It's what I've come in to.

    "Football moves quickly, we have to be aggressive about it. It's a collective, a performance. I don't believe players aren't caring. I don't believe that. The standards are clear."

  5. 'The response Arteta needed'published at 22:42 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Mark Schwarzer
    Former Middlesbrough & Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It was about the response after the Manchester City defeat and I think Mikel Arteta got the response he needed. They're back on track again, they responded right from the off.

    They're not the favourites but have put pressure back on Manchester City.

  6. Over to you, Citypublished at 22:33 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal are top now, but Manchester City play twice in the Premier League before the Gunners are in action again.

    Wins over both West Ham and Leeds at home would take City four points clear when Arsenal play at Newcastle.

    These are the matches the Premier League title contenders face...

    Arsenal

    • Newcastle (a) 7 May
    • Brighton (h) 14 May
    • Nottingham Forest (a) 20 May
    • Wolves (h) 28 May

    Manchester City

    • West Ham (h) 3 May
    • Leeds (h) 6 May
    • Real Madrid - CL semi-final (a) 9 May
    • Everton (a) 14 May
    • Real Madrid - CL semi-final (h) 17 May
    • Chelsea (h) 21 May
    • Brighton (a) 24 May
    • Brentford (a) 28 May
    • Man Utd - FA Cup final 3 June
    • Potential CL final 10 June
  7. 'Everything I want to see from our team'published at 22:30 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to Match of the Day, says: "The first 60 minutes, I thought the team played really well, we need to be us, and that was everything I want to see from our team.

    "Speed, quality, movement, two beautiful goals, we connected with our crowd and created an incredible atmosphere. They have been incredibly supportive of what we have done and we wanted to earn the right to be top of the league. We are, and happy to be there."

    On the injury to Gabriel, Arteta said: "He could not carry on, we have to assess him, he was not comfortable."

    On two-goal Martin Odegaard: "He has 14 goals this season, his contribution to the team, his leadership skills, I'm really pleased with him."

  8. 'We're too nice to play against'published at 22:29 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Chelsea

    Frank Lampard to BBC MOTD: "Not good enough first half, that's what confirms the result. Much better second half, but not good enough first half.

    "We were too nice to play against in all aspects in the first half. In the second half we played much more like a team that has a threat up top. In the first half we were too easy to play against.

    "It's tough because you want to win games, but it's our job, we'll work on it."

  9. 'A dreadful season'published at 22:23 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Mark Schwarzer
    Former Middlesbrough & Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Let's not forget, this was Kante's sixth start of the season. He looked off in terms of his touch. His passing wasn't on it. The effort was there, but this wasn't the Kante we've seen over the years.

    There are big names in the Chelsea team but they have had a dreadful season by Chelsea standards. They are a side really low on confidence. Nobody is putting their neck on the line. Nobody is going out there trying to express themselves.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:21 BST 2 May 2023

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    Andy: Chelsea have games left against teams that are either fighting for their lives, or very good. Where will their points come from to get them over the line? Not safe yet!

    Andrew: How low might Chelsea finish this season? An in-form Bournemouth away next, a desperate Forest, trips to both Manchester clubs, Newcastle on the final day - wouldn’t be surprised to see them leapfrogged by one or two of the teams below them.

  11. 'Worst run since I've been at the club'published at 22:21 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Chelsea

    Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, speaking to Sky Sports, says: "The first half we were quite passive. We know they are a dangerous team and will bring a lot of people forward but we should've done better with the ball.

    "In the second half we showed a bit of a reaction, in the first half we were far from there. It's tough for everybody, we're not in a good position. The reality is what we have now. We have to go through it.

    "We are all disappointed, the fans at the club. We have to take responsibility and that's the only way. It's very hard, we didn't expect to be here but that's where we are. We have five games left, we have to show a positive energy and win games.

    "It's the worst run since I've been at the club. We're the ones playing on the pitch and we have to turn this around. It's hard for everybody and we have to come through these moments. Off the pitch we have a lot of things to work on."

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:13 BST 2 May 2023

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    John: Never once crossed my mind that I'd ever look at the table and see that Chelsea are the sixth best team in London, and that's only because West Ham are having a poor season.

    Karl: Good win for Arsenal tonight. Loving hearing the Spurs fans not loving it! Let’s put the pressure on City and hopefully they crack.

  13. 'Arsenal deserve to be where they are'published at 22:09 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Mark Schwarzer
    Former Middlesbrough & Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    If you look at Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus is their number nine, his contribution all over is immense.

    Arsenal have spread the goals among a number of players and that has been key for them this season.

    You look at Chelsea and it's the complete opposite. Arsenal deserve to be where they are, they've played very well tonight and over the course of the season.

  14. 'We believe and will fight until the end'published at 22:08 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who scored twice, tells Sky Sports: "Especially the first half was brilliant. We came out and showed a different spirit to last time [the 4-1 loss to Manchester City].

    "I'm very happy with the first half, the second was a bit messy but three points and a good win and we needed this one.

    "Everyone was so hurt after the game [against City]. We used the anger and the disappointment to get back into this game. You can lose games but the way we lost, we didn't play our game and weren't ourselves, that was the most painful thing, and we wanted to show a different side and we definitely did.

    "I just try to help the team. This year I've scored more goals, Granit with two good passes and that made it easier. I just tried to be in the right area and as soon as I see him attacking the space I just have to be in the right place.

    "In the second half we didn't keep the ball ernough. They went a bit more direct and after the duels we didn't keep the ball.

    "We have to fight and keep going. We believe and will fight until the end."

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:03 BST 2 May 2023

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Stevie: Good win for Arsenal, with Chelsea on such a terrible run, but still with some quality players, I thought it might be a banana skin for them. Who signed off the £75m or whatever it was for Fofana? he's horrendous

  16. 'Smooth sailing'published at 21:59 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Mark Schwarzer
    Former Middlesbrough & Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Arsenal thoroughly deserved it. They had more chances, they could have won the game more easily. Kepa was in fine form and Chelsea barely threatened at the other end.

    For Arsenal it was smooth sailing for most of the match.

  17. How it standspublished at 21:58 BST 2 May 2023

    FT: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal do all they can to keep up the pressure on Manchester City, who are two points behind the Gunners but have two games in hand.

    TableImage source, .

    For Chelsea, the season can't end quickly enough for them.

    TableImage source, .
  18. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:55 BST 2 May 2023

    Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal are back on the top of the Premier League and never were in danger after two goals from Martin Odegaard and one from Gabriel Jesus put them 3-0 up inside 34 minutes.

    Noni Madueke pulled one back for Chelsea in the second half to make it a bit more respectable, but that's six losses in six games for Frank Lampard since replacing Graham Potter.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:52 BST 2 May 2023

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    Nick G: John @21:37, as a Spurs fan, I am definitely not loving this.

  20. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

    Kai Havertz has a go for Chelsea from a tight angle but Aaron Ramsdale does well to hang on to the ball.