Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
Gabriel prodded home a second-half winner to send Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 success at London rivals Chelsea.
The central defender made sure a looped effort from Bukayo Saka went over the line for the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute.
The result means Mikel Arteta remains unbeaten in the league at Stamford Bridge since he took charge of Arsenal in December 2019 and the assured nature of this display will enhance the Gunners credentials as surprise title contenders.
Chelsea were looking to return to winning ways in the league having been hammered 4-1 at Brighton the previous weekend, Graham Potter’s first defeat since joining the club.
But they struggled to impose themselves on the game and finished with just two shots on target.
Kai Havertz could not trouble Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal in the first ten minutes while Gunners forward Gabriel Martinelli fired over from range.
Another chance fell the way of the visitors when Martinelli tried to pick out Gabriel Jesus at the far post, but the Brazil striker was unable to direct his header towards goal.
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, facing his former club for the first time since leaving the Gunners in February – when his contract was terminated – was routinely booed and jeered by the travelling support.
After a quiet first half, he had a half-chance at the start of the second period, but his attempted strike was blocked.
The visitors had looked the more likely to break the deadlock, but did not have a shot on target until Gabriel made the decisive breakthrough.
Saka’s corner was not dealt with by the Chelsea defence, and looked to be going in before the Brazilian made sure.
Following the goal, there looked more chance of Arsenal netting a second than Chelsea levelling but Martin Odegaard fired their best opening over the top.
Troubled Potter urges Blues to improve
Graham Potter has urged Chelsea to finish the first half of the season with a flourish after admitting his frustration with the loss to Arsenal.
The Blues have two games remaining before the break for the World Cup and manager Potter said: ‘(It) always is (disappointing and frustrating) to lose a game like we did. We huffed and puffed but you could see the difference in the two teams.
‘We are not in a fantastic moment. As much as it is not nice to say, Arsenal deserved to win and were the better team.
‘We have to take that and use it as motivation to improve.’
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