Wayne Lumbasi
Arsenal got their top four chase back on track with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. There were banks of empty seats at Stamford Bridge, in what was Chelsea’s first home game with only season ticket holders in attendance since government sanctions meant the club were unable to put match tickets up for general sale.
Arsenal took the lead in predatory fashion when Nketiah pounced on a loose pass back to goal and kept his composure before coolly slotting beyond Mendy. However, Chelsea got back into the game in fortuitous fashion when Werner’s tame shot took a deflection off Xhaka to bobble past Ramsdale.
Emile Smith Rowe put Arsenal back in front with a wonderfully taken finish into the bottom corner, only for the hosts to strike back once again when Azpilicueta met a Mount cross at the near post to tap in.
Nketiah scored another goal 12 minutes into the second half when Malang Sarr’s touch fell into his path and he poked past the goalkeeper. Saka sealed the victory from the spot in the last minute. The winger went down off the ball under a challenge from Azpilicueta with referee John Moss adjudging it to be a foul, and the England man stepped up to slot the penalty beyond Edouard Mendy.
The win left Arsenal just outside the Champions League qualifying positions in fifth place but level with Spurs on 57 points, with six matches to go.
