Arsenal defeated Chelsea 3-1 in their recent match thanks to an excellent first-half performance. The Gunners took control of the game and scored three goals in a 16-minute spell, with Martin Odegaard scoring twice and Gabriel Jesus adding a third. Kepa made several saves to keep Chelsea in the game, but they were unable to mount a comeback, despite Noni Madueke scoring a goal with 25 minutes remaining. The result leaves Chelsea with much to do as they try to stay in the top four.

It was all about that first-half performance from the Gunners and, indeed, from Chelsea. Mikel Arteta’s men were well on top in the first 45 minutes and blew their opponents away thanks to three goals in a 16-minute spell.

The Blues’ loose passing, slack marking and next to no attacking threat allowed the Gunners to take control of the game, with Martin Odegaard twice being left in acres of space to sweep in crosses from the left from Granit Xhaka. Gabriel Jesus bundled in a third moments after the Norwegian’s second strike to put Mikel Arteta’s men in total control with over 10 minutes of the half to go.

It looked as if things could get worse for Frank Lampard’s side after the break, with Kepa making several fine saves, the best of which saw him deny Xhaka, and Thiago Silva stopping a certain goal for Gabriel with a goal-line clearance.

The Gunners took their foot off the pedal as the half wore on and Oleksandr Zinchenko completely switched off to allow Noni Madueke the chance to reduce the deficit with 25 minutes still to play. That could have set up a nervous finale but, in truth, the result was never in any doubt, with Chelsea huffing and puffing but unable to find another way through despite the hosts playing down the gears.