Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. Jurriën Timber proved the match-winner, heading in from Declan Rice's corner shortly after urging the home crowd to stay calm during a tense second half.
David Raya was Arsenal's other hero, making a string of crucial saves, including a stunning late stop to deny João Pedro from Alejandro Garnacho's cross. Chelsea thought they had equalised in stoppage time when Liam Delap put the ball in the net, but João Pedro was flagged offside in the build-up, sparking palpable relief from the home side.
Mikel Arteta's team laboured in open play but found a way, as they so often do against Chelsea. The opening goal came from a corner, with William Saliba flicking in after Gabriel Magalhães headed the ball across, the effort going in off Mamadou Sarr. Chelsea's equaliser was also from a corner, as Piero Hincapié turned Reece James's delivery into his own net.
Chelsea's frustration was compounded by a red card for Pedro Neto, who was sent off for a high challenge on Gabriel Martinelli shortly after Timber's goal. It was the ninth red card for a Chelsea player this season. The visitors, under Liam Rosenior for the first time in the Premier League, have now conceded seven goals from set pieces in 13 matches under their manager.
The result leaves Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City, though having played a game more. For Chelsea, it was a first league defeat under Rosenior, who saw his side perform admirably with ten men but ultimately fall short.
