Chelsea limped to an unexpected 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal, thanks to a howler by Jorginho. The Blues had the chance to all but secure a top-four berth but were unable to mount a comeback after Emile Smith-Rowe’s early goal.
Team News
Chelsea
Ahead of the FA Cup final this weekend, Thomas Tuchel decided to make seven changes from the 2-1 win at the Etihad.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta himself made five changes and switched to a back three in order to match his hosts.
Chelsea blow top-four race wide open again
A win would have almost secured Champion’s League qualification, and Chelsea could have concentrated on the two cup finals. However with seven changes, Chelsea weren’t able to create much offensively. They were gifted a gilt-edged opportunity when Gabriel’s iffy back pass was mis-judged by Pablo Mari. Kai Havertz was one-on-one with compatriot Bernd Leno, but lifted the ball over him and the crossbar. He would soon rue his miss.
Five minutes later, Jorginho’s back pass to Kepa nearly turned into an own goal as Kepa had drifted wide to receive the ball. The Spanish goalkeeper did well to keep the ball out of the net, but could only parry it into the path of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who squared it for Smith Rowe to score. Chelsea then took control of the possession, but apart from Mason Mount’s blocked shot and an effort that Leno saved, didn’t create too much.
Billy Gilmour was sacrificed at the start of the second half to make way for Callum Hudson-Odoi. But he failed to provide any fresh impetus as the hosts were unable to breakdown Arsenal. Chelsea thought they had equalized through Christian Pulisic but he himself knew he was offside. As Chelsea pushed on, Arsenal threatened to add to their lead on the counter. Martin Odegaard teed up Hector Bellerin for a comfortable save before himself firing high and wide.
Chelsea failed to attempt a single shot on target in the entire second half, until Pulisic fired straight at Leno from Hudson-Odoi’s slightly overhit cross. Just moments later, Leno did brilliantly to tip Kurt Zouma’s looping header onto the bar, and then saw Olivier Giroud rattle the woodwork from the rebound.
What does this mean for the league table?
Chelsea could have regained third spot from Leicester City with a win, but courtesy of this defeat, slipped to fourth. They could have opened up a 10 point lead over Liverpool, however, the gap could reduce to one point if the Reds win their two games in hand.
The Gunners moved to within one point away from North London rivals Spurs, having played a game more. There is still work to be done if they are to qualify for Europe this season.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal: Opta Stats
- Arsenal completed their first Premier League double over Chelsea since the 2003-04 season, while this was their first league win at Stamford Bridge since October 2011, ending an eight-game winless run there (D2 L6).
- Chelsea suffered only their third defeat in 26 matches in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel (W17 D6), with all three defeats coming at Stamford Bridge.
- Arsenal have won three consecutive away Premier League matches without conceding for the first time since May 2013 under Arsène Wenger.
- Arsenal have had a different player aged younger than 21 score in each of their last three Premier League matches against Chelsea – Gabriel Martinelli in January 2020, Bukayo Saka in December 2020 and Emile Smith Rowe tonight.
Up Next
Chelsea have a Wembley date this coming Saturday with Leicester City in the FA Cup final.
Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace next Wednesday, 19th May in the Premier League.