Jurrien Timber scored the winner in a gripping encounter as Premier League leaders Arsenal edged past 10-man Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium to restore their five-point lead over Manchester City and deal a blow to the Blues’ top-four hopes.
After the disappointment of blowing a 2-0 lead to draw at Wolves, it’s now back-to-back victories for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners – both in London derbies, having thrashed Tottenham 4-1 last weekend – who keep their title destiny in their own hands.
Chelsea were presented with a great chance to strike first in North London, but Mamadou Sarr, making his Premier League debut, skewed wide when Pedro Neto’s free-kick fell to him on his weak foot.
Having ridden out a series of threatening Chelsea attacks, Arsenal broke the deadlock as they do best: by scoring from a set-piece.
Dominating a marked physical mismatch from Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner, the Gunners forced the ball over the line through William Saliba – who headed Gabriel’s header back across goal in off Sarr.
Chelsea, though, showed that anything Arsenal can do, they can do too, drawing level in similar fashion in first half stoppage time.
The Blues thought they had a penalty shout from one corner as the ball appeared to come off Declan Rice’s arm – forcing an under-pressure David Raya into a fine save – but they found a way through from the resulting corner, Reece James’ inswinger skimming off Piero Hincapie’s head for an own goal.
Liam Rosenior’s visitors carried that momentum into the second half, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro both bringing saves out of Raya before Cole Palmer came agonisingly close to connecting with James’ cross.
Once again, though, Arsenal absorbed the pressure and edged ahead – from a corner, taking their Premier League set-piece goals tally for the season to 19, at least five more than any other side in the division.
Declan Rice whipped the ball in from the left and Jurrien Timber headed past a stranded Sanchez, whose vociferous appeals for a foul were cleared by VAR.
And it soon went from bad to worse for Chelsea as Pedro Neto saw red. Already on a booking for dissent in the aftermath of Arsenal’s second goal, the Portuguese received a second yellow card for scything down Gabriel Martinelli – becoming the ninth Blues player sent off in all competitions this term.
Not to be deterred, Chelsea went all-out for another equaliser – and they almost found it in injury time, Alejandro Garnacho forcing Raya into a fingertip stop and Liam Delap being denied by the offside flag – but Arsenal held on for a vital, if nerve-shredding, three points.
The Gunners will look to continue their push for a first Premier League title in 22 years when they host Brighton on Wednesday. Man City, who still have a game in hand, entertain Nottingham Forest at the same time.
Chelsea, now winless in three league games, are also in action on Wednesday night: they travel to fourth-placed Aston Villa, who they trail by six points in the race for Champions League qualification.
