Match ends, Arsenal 3, Chelsea 0.
ArsenalArsenal3ChelseaChelsea0
Arsenal produced a devastating first-half display to dismantle Chelsea and secure a fourth successive Premier League win.
Alexis Sanchez took advantage of Gary Cahill's error to race clear and lift a composed finish over Thibaut Courtois after 11 minutes, and Theo Walcott completed a brilliant move to steer in Hector Bellerin's pass three minutes later.
Mesut Ozil then left N'Golo Kante trailing to expose Chelsea on the counter-attack and steer home Arsenal's third five minutes before the break, after an exchange with Sanchez.
It was little more than damage limitation for Chelsea after that as they fell to their second league loss in a row as rampant Arsenal moved third in the table.
Same old Arsenal?
Arsenal, for all Chelsea's obvious frailties, were simply untouchable from back to front in a magnificent first 45 minutes that revived memories of their finest days.
The Gunners showed pace, skill, pressed Chelsea into submission and probed weaknesses ruthlessly in the manner of a team at the top of its game.
Arsenal's fans, so often frustrated and having already expressed their discontent at home this season, left Emirates Stadium with a spring in their step and sharing the optimism expressed by manager Arsene Wenger.
He wrote in his programme notes: "We feel as though we are on the way up."
This was a performance that spoke eloquently on behalf of Wenger's theory - with the proviso Gunners fans have heard this talk before only to be disappointed.
This, however, was a magnificent exhibition of power, pace and end product, from the skills of Sanchez and Ozil in attack to the lightning speed and tackling of Bellerin at the back.
It was as complete an Arsenal performance as they have delivered for some time. Now can they build on the platform laid by this brilliant 90 minutes?
Chelsea look broken
Chelsea looked an old and jaded side when faced with Liverpool's intense, aggressive approach at Stamford Bridge last week, their first loss under Antonio Conte.
This was, arguably, an even more harrowing experience and a stark illustration of the job the Italian must do to revive Chelsea.
Conte will know the pressures that come with managing under demanding owner Roman Abramovich, but the man who impressed so much in charge of Juventus and Italy must be given time to address so many problems.
Chelsea still rely so heavily on 35-year-old captain John Terry, out injured here, while elements of the side that looked so strong winning the title the season before last are crumbling.
Branislav Ivanovic had a miserable game but it was even worse for England defender Cahill, who was responsible for Sanchez's opener and also involved in an arm-waving spat with Courtois after a breakdown in communication in the second half
Kante does not have the energy and support he had in midfield at Leicester City, with Nemanja Matic laboured and Cesc Fabregas off the pace and substituted. The hero of last season's title win was left trailing in Ozil's wake for Arsenal's third.
Eden Hazard has regressed again while Diego Costa's only serious contribution was to conduct another war against the world.
In other words, Conte has a large job on his hands.
Sanchez and Ozil the key for Arsenal
When Sanchez and Ozil are in this mood, Arsenal are a threat to anyone. The pair are world class when at the peak of their powers - and they certainly were here.
Sanchez hurried Cahill into a panic before a gloriously composed chip for Arsenal's first, and he and Ozil combined to leave Chelsea's defence embarrassed as the latter scored the third.
Arsenal were outstanding in all areas - but Sanchez and Ozil provided the final flourishes with the sort of class that makes them central figures in all Wenger is trying to achieve this season.
Man of the match - Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The stats you need to know
- Arsene Wenger inflicted Antonio Conte's heaviest league defeat since October 2010, when he was manager of Siena (3-0 loss to Empoli).
- Chelsea found themselves three goals down at half-time in a Premier League game for the first time since May 2012 (v Liverpool, 4-1 FT).
- This was the first time since October 2012 v Manchester United the Blues had conceded twice in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League game.
- This is Arsene Wenger's first win over Chelsea in the league since October 2011 (drew three, lost six).
- Chelsea's first shot on target came in the 82nd minute.
- Hector Bellerin has provided more assists than any other Premier League defender since the start of last season (six).
- Theo Walcott scored in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since May 2013 (three in a row for the Gunners).
What they said?
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "It was an outstanding team performance. We played with spirit and collective pace and movement, always in a positive and committed team way.
"Our defenders have done extremely well. You cannot say one player was not at the right level from Petr Cech to Alexis Sanchez.
"We wanted to start strong in a high pace and committed way. We started wobbly in the first 20 minutes against Southampton. We wanted to be consistent in our pressure no matter the score. We did it very well in the first half. It was in and out in the second, which was understandable.
"Ideally you want the perfect game and you never get it. We got nearly the perfect first half and that is not bad. Football doesn't care for history and the anniversaries, just the result on the day. Today we had a good performance."
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said: "I think that we didn't have the right attitude from the first minute.
"After today we are thinking we must work a lot because we are a great team only on paper. It is always a team problem rather than individuals, When nothing works it is very hard for a player to play well.
"I don't want to talk about the mistake [from Gary Cahill]. It is not right for the player. We win and lose as a team. If someone thinks this team is ready to fight, I think we must wait to improve a lot to come back a great team on the pitch, not just on paper.
"We have not got the balance and now is the moment to consider everything. It is incredible to concede three goals. We must have last season present in our mind to not repeat the mistakes. We must reflect a lot to find very soon the right way."
What's next?
Arsenal are involved in Champions League action on Wednesday with a home tie against Swiss side Basel (19:45 BST). Chelsea are not playing again until Saturday, when they visit Hull in the Premier League (15:00).
Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 33Cech
- 24Bellerín
- 20Mustafi
- 6Koscielny
- 18Monreal
- 19Cazorla
- 34CoquelinSubstituted forXhakaat 32'minutes
- 14Walcott
- 11Özil
- 17IwobiSubstituted forGibbsat 69'minutes
- 7SánchezSubstituted forGiroudat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gibbs
- 9Pérez
- 12Giroud
- 13Ospina
- 15Oxlade-Chamberlain
- 16Holding
- 29Xhaka
Chelsea
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 13Courtois
- 2IvanovicBooked at 28mins
- 24Cahill
- 30David Luiz
- 28Azpilicueta
- 7Kanté
- 22WillianSubstituted forPedroat 70'minutes
- 4FàbregasSubstituted forAlonsoat 55'minutes
- 21Matic
- 10E HazardSubstituted forBatshuayiat 71'minutes
- 19Diego CostaBooked at 83mins
Substitutes
- 1Begovic
- 3Alonso
- 8Oscar
- 11Pedro
- 15Moses
- 23Batshuayi
- 29Chalobah
- Referee:
- Michael Oliver
- Attendance:
- 60,028
Match Stats
Home TeamArsenalAway TeamChelsea
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home9
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away11
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Arsenal 3, Chelsea 0.
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Foul by César Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
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Mesut Özil (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Marcos Alonso.
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Attempt missed. Pedro (Chelsea) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Nemanja Matic.
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Attempt missed. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Kieran Gibbs with a cross.
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Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Petr Cech.
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Attempt saved. Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by David Luiz with a through ball.
Booking
Diego Costa (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card.
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Diego Costa (Chelsea).
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(Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt saved. César Azpilicueta (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Granit Xhaka (Arsenal).
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal. Olivier Giroud replaces Alexis Sánchez.
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Attempt missed. Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Kieran Gibbs.
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Offside, Arsenal. Alexis Sánchez tries a through ball, but Mesut Özil is caught offside.
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Offside, Arsenal. Granit Xhaka tries a through ball, but Santiago Cazorla is caught offside.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Marcos Alonso.
Comments
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Yawn. Utd is the story of the day. Simples
Agreed, it was the day that Man Utd finally realised that without Rooney, they can actually play football. He wouldn't even get on the bench at the Emirates or the Bridge
A HYS on an article that is not about Man Utd.
Well done Arsenal by the way.
Chelsea are in a bad bad way right now........Shocking display today !!!!
Transfer window - wenger out
October - Febuary - were going to win the league
March - may - wenger out
"Yawn. Utd is the story of the day. Simples"
Slipped so far it's big news when they win at home?
Good to see that he still appears to be operated by a hyperactive eight-year-old randomly mashing the buttons of a playstation controller.
I cannot see any improvement. There is an issue with team moral. It seems that for whatever reason instead of a team collective there are individuals. Without leaders and without a manager that can controls the likes of Costa whose antics and theatrics undermine the team I see a very poor season ahead.
Managers are thrown to the wolves at the drop of the hat these days.
Not so sure about Tot and Liv. But unless they have injuries to key players I can't see them finishing behind Man U
What I don't understand about Chelsea is signing David Luiz. Can't see how Conte thinks he is his type of player