Arsenal vs Chelsea (5-0) | All Goals & Highlights | Premier League 23/24
Fans of English football and football in general were spoiled tonight, even if in the end, those of Chelsea would probably have preferred that there was no match tonight. We were indeed entitled to a London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea, which counted for the 29th day of the English championship and had initially been postponed. A decisive duel in the title race, since the Gunners, leaders tied with Liverpool, second, and with one point more than Manchester City (who have one game less) had a great opportunity to put pressure on their two rivals for the title. The Gunners have let a few points slip away in recent weeks, while Chelsea have been a little better, despite this defeat in the FA Cup semi-finals against City. For this match, Mikel Arteta brought out a fairly classic composition, with Trossard preferred to Martinelli all the same up front, while Partey was established in midfield alongside Rice and Odegaard. Opposite, Mauricio Pochettino relied on this French central defense Disasi-Badiashile, and an attacking trio Madueke-Jackson-Mudryk.
The meeting started very strongly for the locals. Indeed, only in the 4th minute of play, Leandro Trossard shook the net. After a very well carried out collective action by Mikel Arteta's men, Declan Rice shifted for the Belgian international, who struck powerfully and beat Petrovic. Superiors, the residents of the Emirates Stadium were not really worried by their neighbor, who mainly tried to cause harm on individual actions most of the time inconclusive. The Gunners had the most interesting situations, like this attempt by Rice (22nd), or this beautiful save by Petrovic on Havertz (26th). The Blues goalkeeper kept his side afloat, since he was also decisive on Saka (27th).
A terrible second half for Chelsea
Behind, Chelsea were gradually starting to show the tip of their nose, but it was still quite messy. Nicolas Jackson, for example, was quite intentional in the last meters, but was not very precise in the last movement. Madueke also managed, at the end of the first period, to cause some fear to his Arsenal counterparts. But the red and white team arrived at the break with this short advantage, rather logical and deserved in the end. Upon returning from the locker room, Martin Odegaard's gang clearly wanted to regain control. A second round which will prove to be very long for Chelsea... Declan Rice then Havertz were initially disgusted by Petrovic (49th, 51st), but Ben White managed to beat the Serbian goalkeeper. Positioned in the area, after a shot blocked by Thomas Partey, the defender sent the ball into the back of the net (2-0, 52nd).
The goal of the break, and it wasn't over. Not at all even. Chelsea were thus going to be crucified by a veteran of the house, who was on his feet this evening: Kai Havertz. Martin Ødegaard launched a love ball through the German, who got the better of the Blues defenders, notably Cucurella. Then, he scored the ball perfectly to beat the goalkeeper of his former club (3-0, 57th). Havertz wanted to do battle, since after a big opportunity missed by Nicolas Jackson, he scored his double. Found by Saka in the area, he shot while pivoting, and the ball, deflected by a defender, hit the left post before ending up in the back of the net (4-0, 65th). It was the evening of doubles, as Ben White would also add a second achievement to his tally. Odegaard put a superb ball into the area for the defender, and the Englishman, in what looked more like a cross than a shot towards the goals, managed to find the opposite corner (5-0, 70th). With this superb advantage, Arsenal eased off a little and managed calmly, even if Fábio Vieira and Gabriel Martinelli wanted to join in the party (88th, 91st). Liverpool and Manchester City are warned.
