A derby and a nightmare program? Arsenal crush miserable Chelsea and show they are ready for champions (VIDEO)

Arsenal broke Chelsea with 5:0 in the London derby from the postponed 29th round of the English Premier League. “The Gunners” were definitely the better of the two teams, and could easily win even with an even more convincing result.

With the success, they collected 77 points at the top of the standings – three more than Liverpool (who have a game in hand) and four ahead of Manchester City (two games in hand). It should be noted that the Londoners have a much better margin than the Merseysiders and the “citizens”, so if at the end of the season they finish with equal points, they will have an advantage. Chelsea, on the other hand, remains ninth with 47 points and the task of playing in Europe next season remains as difficult as ever.

The Blues have fielded a squad whose average age is under 24 for the seventh time in the Premier League this season. Only Leeds United in 1999/2000 have done it more times in a single campaign (10). They were without their big star Cole Palmer and that had a serious impact.

Although Chelsea had some good counter-attacking chances in the first half, Arsenal were clearly the better team in the first half. The Gunners then hit 13 shots – the first time they have taken as many shots against this opponent in one Premier League half (at least since Opta had data in the 2003/04 season).

However, it was only 1-0 after 45 minutes of play as Trossard scored off an assist from Rice after just 5 minutes of play. In the second half, however, the success rate was murderous, and Chelsea stopped playing. Thus, in just 18 minutes (between 52′ and 70′), Arsenal scored four goals – two from Ben White and two from Kai Havertz.

The German became the first player to score twice against Chelsea in the Premier League, having previously played in the competition with the Blues. In most of the goals, Mauricio Pochettino’s defense committed blunders and left the opponents too free near the goal.

Of the three contenders for the title, Arsenal has the toughest schedule, as they have to deal with Tottenham (28.04), Bournemouth (04.05), Manchester United (12.05) and Everton (19.05) before the end. In front of Chelsea, there are two new difficult clashes from the Premier League – first against Aston Villa (27.04) and then against Tottenham (02.05).

The first half

5′ – 1:0! Declan Rice progressed undisturbed with the ball at his feet and as he entered the box he passed to his left to Trosar. The Belgian shot hard from a small angle and scored past Petrovic.

Chelsea’s best goal situation came in the 19th minute. Badiashile headed in a cross from a corner, then Disassi got away with it from close range.

Although Arsenal were pressing their opponent hard and creating pressure in their penalty area on several occasions, in the 24th minute Jackson took a lot of ground with a ball at his feet and entered the penalty area. Tam attempted a pass, but after ricocheting off Saliba’s leg, the ball hit the side post after Raya was sent in the opposite direction and failed to play the ball.

After the 25th minute, within seconds, Petrovic distinguished himself with two more very good saves. First on a dangerous strike by Havertz from a good position, then on a shot that ricocheted off a team-mate and caught him in his tracks, but luckily for him it deflected off his head.

The match continued at high speed and in the following minutes both teams exchanged dangerous situations. Arsenal surrounded and pressed Chelsea, but the Blues displayed lightning-quick counter-attacks.

Second half-time

Another Chelsea mistake on the ball led to the first big clear scoring chance of the second half. At the end of the attack, Rice shot from a not so great angle, but Petrovic shone with another good save.

In the 51st minute, Jodegor shone with an exceptional pass behind the defense of the “blues”. He found Havertz, who fired from a tight angle, but the opposing keeper made another excellent save and cleared the ball for a corner kick.

52′ – 2:0! The murderous pressure continued and logically led to a goal. Ben White got to a clearance in the box and was left completely uncovered. In the goal area, he had enough time and sent the ball past Petrovic.

57′ – 3:0! Havertz was brought on by a lovely pass from Jodegaard, advanced with a ball at his feet, entered the penalty area, then dealt with Kukureya and delivered a merciless finish. He then celebrated wildly scoring against his former team.

65′ – 4:0! Havertz was given plenty of time in the penalty area, opened up a lane for a feint shot, then fired with his left foot. After a ricochet, the ball became unsalvageable for Petrovic and entered the net again.

70′ – 5:0! Ben White tried a cross from the right but didn’t find the ball well on target. Instead of a pass, however, there was an unsalvageable shot and the defender scored his second goal after a huge amount of luck.

In the following minutes, Arsenal wasted a bunch more chances, and Chelsea’s ugly game continued.

BEFORE THE DUEL

COMPOSE

Arsenal: Raya, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, White, Rice, Partey, Yodegaard, Saka, Trosar, Havertz

Chelsea: Petrovic, Cuqureia, Badiashile, Disasi, Gilchrist, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Mudric, Madueke, Jackson

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta should be able to rely on a full squad again on Tuesday night. Jurien Timber remains the Gunners’ only absentee due to injury. The Dutchman still has a few steps to go before he can return to competitive action. Kai Havertz and Jorginho prepare to face their former club.

Not so at Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that goalscorer Cole Palmer is unlikely to play against Arsenal due to illness. Left back Ben Chilwell is also unlikely to play, Malo Gusto is also out.

It was hoped Levi Colville would recover from a toe injury in time to play against Manchester City, but the defender was left out of the squad for Saturday’s game and is unlikely to feature today. The Blues are also without Romeo Lavia, Leslie Ugochukwu, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku and Wesley Fofana.

Goals in the London derby are guaranteed, and this is indicated by a curious statistic, namely that in 11 of Chelsea’s last 12 away games in the Premier League, both teams have scored.