Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea- Gunners finally end drought

Finally, Arsenal has something to smile about, their first win in the Premier League since November over a disappointing Chelsea side at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta made six changes from the side that lost at home to Manchester City in the EFL Cup with Gabriel Martinelli, Pablo Mari, and Emile Smith Rowe all starting with Granit Xhaka and Mo Elneny in midfield.

Alexandre Lacazette led the line for Arsenal as they looked to get their first league win in months.

From the first whistle, it was clear Arsenal were up for the fight with barely a minute gone, they had the first chance of the game. Gabriel Martinelli was teed up from a Hector Bellerin cross, however, the Brazilian’s shot went wide.

Arsenal controlled the first five minutes with Chelsea barely having a touch of the ball in what was an energetic start from Mikel Arteta’s side. Chelsea slowly grew into the game and enjoyed more possession.

Mason Mount had the Blues first real sight on goal from a free-kick just outside the box as it clipped the post in what was a warning for a youthful Gunners side.

Both Martinelli and Kieran Tierney were full of run and were energetic as they caused the Chelsea backline all sorts of problems. Emile Smith Rowe had a glorious chance to put his side ahead after some great work from Bellerin whose cross was just out of reach for the Englishman as Arsenal looked the more dangerous of the two sides.

It was an even first half an hour with both sides enjoying possession with Chelsea slowly getting a grip on the game. Then came the goal.

A superb cross-field pass from Granit Xhaka found Tierney who burst into the box, only for Reece James to clip the defender who went down as Michael Oliver pointed to the spot. Alexandre Lacazette duly converted to give his side a deserved lead.

Just ten minutes later Arsenal doubled their lead. A foul on Bukayo Saka from N’golo Kante saw the Gunners awarded a free-kick. With Granit Xhaka standing over it, the Swiss international hit a perfect shot as it sailed into the top corner, out of reach from Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy as Arsenal went into half time with a 2-0 lead.

Frank Lampard made two changes to his side after a poor first half with Timo Werner and Mateo Kovacic both making way for Jorginho and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea started the better side, pinning Arsenal back however just eleven minutes into the half, the Gunners had a third. A superb sweeping move that started with Bernd Leno and neat build-up play as the ball made its way to Smith Rowe who played in Saka.

The youngster then took a touch and then hit his shot as it somehow found its way into the Chelsea net as Arsenal stamped their authority on the match. Whether it was a cross or shot did not matter to Saka as Arsenal now had a stranglehold on the match.

Midway through the half Mikel Arteta made changes with Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli both coming on in the space of seven minutes as Arsenal slowly began to sit back.

With just ten minutes to go a mistake from Mendy gifted Lacazette a chance inside the box however the Frenchman’s effort was saved as the score remained 3-0.

Just minutes later Chelsea was lucky not to concede another with Mo Elneny latching onto the ball and hit a rocket which cannoned off the post. The rebound found its way to Rob Holding and the defender then had his shot saved as Mendy did well to limit the damage.

With seven minutes remaining in normal time, Chelsea finally got their goal. A great cross from Hudson-Odoi found Tammy Abraham who chested the ball in to give the Blues hope.

Thiago Silva had a great chance minutes later however his header somehow missed the target. Chelsea was offered the chance to put real pressure on Arsenal when a tired challenge from Pablo Mari brought down Mason Mount and Michael Oliver pointed to the spot for the second time in the match.

Jorginho stepped up and hit a tame penalty as Leno saved his shot to secure a vital three points for Mikel Arteta’s side.

It was just what Arsenal needed, an improved performance that finally resulted in a much-deserved win. Up next is Brighton away and Arsenal will be looking for another win to end the year in style.