PL: Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-2, blowing race for top 4 wide open

Arsenal blew Chelsea away 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in the Northwest London derby in the Premier League on Wednesday, throwing the race for the top four wide open.

The Gunners began the game with 54 points, eight behind third-placed Chelsea, but a brilliant performance took Arsenal to five points of the the third place.

Although Chelsea began the game the stronger side and made the most of their home advantage in the first 10 minutes, Arsenal scored shortly afterwards as Eddie Nketiah capitalised on a horrible mistake by Andreas Christensen and slotted the ball past Edouard Mendy into the back of the net in the 13th minute.

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The next few minutes was utter chaos.

Chelsea equalised four minutes after Nketiah gave Arsenal the lead when Timo Werner’s shot took a deflection off Ben White and wrongfooted Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Ten minutes after Chelsea’s equaliser, Arsenal took the lead again, this time, through youngster Emile Smith Rowe, who was played in by a squared ball from Martin Odegaard.

Chelsea refused to remain behind their long-time rivals, and equalised again five minutes later through a Cesar Azpilicueta goal, after the Spaniard was played in behind the Arsenal defence by Mason Mount.

Arsenal rallied after conceding and tried to finish the half in a dominant fashion, but despite a couple of good chances, could not find the back of the net.

The first half ended 2-2, paving the way for a frenetic second forty-five.

Unlike the first half, Arsenal started the second half the better and side and quickly found themselves in the lead through another Nketiah goal in the 57th minute.

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Chelsea’s attempts to get back into the game was met with stiff resistance by Arsenal, who held on to their lead till the dying minutes of the game, when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Bukayo Saka.

The youngster walked up to take the penalty he himself won, and expertly dispatched it to give Arsenal a 4-2 lead.

The game ended shortly afterwards, taking Arsenal to 57 points: the Gunners are now tied with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on points, but are behind on goal difference. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain third with 62 points, but have a game in hand over the Gunners and Spurs, both of whom are contesting the top four.