Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Gunners Lay Down Another Premier League Marker?

In what was a heavyweight London derby on Sunday lunchtime, Arsenal laid down a real marker as they picked up a deserved 1-0 win away at Chelsea.

Putting in another stellar display at Stamford Bridge and with Gabriel’s second-half finish proving to be the match winner, the Gunners also found a route back to the top of the Premier League table.

Only continuing on what has been a remarkable purple patch since opening up the 2022/23 campaign, Mikel Arteta’s youngsters now find themselves firmly at the heart of a shock title chase in north London.

Largely not having to get out of second gear and knowing that they could have easily left Stamford Bridge with a couple more strikes to show for their troubles, Arsenal also piled more pressure onto an inconsistent Chelsea side.

Handing the former European champions back-to-back Premier League defeats, we have taken a look at the main talking points following Sunday’s showdown in the capital.

Arsenal can run City to the finish line

While Arsenal might have eventually missed out on a Champions League return last season, it appears that the Gunners are breezing themselves towards at least a top-four finish this time around.

Making the trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon coming off the back of a 1-0 win against Zurich while on Europa League duties, Arteta’s high-flying squad are starting to believe that they can make real history in north London.

More than deserving of maximum points here and causing Chelsea a string of questions, Arsenal also found a route back to the top of the Premier League table and once again hold a two-point buffer over the chasing pack.

With summer arrivals such as Gabriel Jesus making an immediate impact since arriving at the Emirates, the Gunners have suffered just a single domestic defeat since opening the 2022/23 campaign.

With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high and only continuing to gain a string of plaudits from across Europe, Sunday’s guests will be next seen in midweek when they host Brighton in the EFL Cup.

Questions already being asked of Potter

While Graham Potter might have enjoyed an extended unbeaten run when arriving at Stamford Bridge back in September, the former Brighton boss is now firmly out of his honeymoon period.

Although the Blues might have dragged themselves to a 2-1 victory at home against Dinamo Zagreb earlier in the week, it does not cover what has been a downbeat run of form at Stamford Bridge.

Despite booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, Potter does appear to find some recent pressure on his shoulders – despite only being in charge for 12 fixtures.

Putting in a nightmare display as they were hit with a shocking 4-1 loss away at Brighton last season, Chelsea could now face an uphill struggle if they’re to claim another top-four finish.

Finishing this weekend’s fixtures sat down in seventh, Sunday’s hosts have also continued to show some worrying defensive issues.

Without a clean sheet in any of their previous five appearances, Potter will know that he must prove this is nothing more than just a minor blip.

Arsenal underline their defensive resolve

Although Arsenal might have impressed many with their fluid displays in the final third this season, there is no doubt that Arteta will be most excited by his side’s dominant displays at the back.

With William Saliba continuing to impress since finally breaking into the Gunners’ first-team picture, the one-time Manchester City coach has now seen his side muster three straight clean sheets across all formats.

Likewise, with England international Ben White doing an eye-catching job since being moved to right-back, the title outsiders have also conceded just 11 Premier League strikes so far this season.

With that defensive tally only matched by a high-flying Newcastle, Arsenal have now conceded just a single goal in over 400 minutes of action.

In fact, mustering another clean sheet at Stamford Bridge here and picking the ball out of their net just once since a 3-1 loss away at Manchester United on September 4th.

Match Report:

Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Sterling, Havertz, Mount, Aubameyang

Subs: Kovacic, Broja, Pulisic, Gallagher

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Thomas, Xhaka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus, Saka

Subs: Holding, Tierney, Elneny

Goals: Gabriel (63′)

Yellow Cards: Chelsea: Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Sterling, Aubameyang, Gallagher – Arsenal: White, Saka

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Michael Oliver