Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea on Tuesday. Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice each, while Leandro Trossard also netted at the Emirates. The Gunners have now played one game more than second-placed Liverpool and two more than champions Manchester City. The destiny of the title remains in City’s hands, but Arsenal’s impressive goal difference advantage could prove decisive in the race for the trophy.
Chelsea’s defeat was compounded by the absence of Cole Palmer, who has been directly involved in almost 50% of their Premier League goals this season. The Blues were outplayed from the start and were fortunate to avoid a red card when Nicolas Jackson escaped punishment for a studs-up challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arsenal took the lead through Trossard in the fifth minute and doubled their advantage through White in the 52nd minute. Havertz added two more goals in the 60th and 66th minutes, with White completing the scoring in the 80th minute.
The result leaves Chelsea in ninth place, three points adrift of the European places. Arsenal’s next match is away to Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday.
