Arsenal thrash Chelsea to open up Premier League lead

Arsenal regained their leading status in the Premier League after they thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday, thanks to doubles from Kai Havertz and Ben White, and an opener by Leandro Trossard.

The Gunners have 77 points and an unassailable advantage in goal difference (82), although they have played one more game than second-placed Liverpool with 74 points and Manchester City in third with 73. Chelsea sit ninth with 47 points.

Liverpool will next play Everton in the Merseyside derby, and City, who are looking to win for a fourth consecutive time in the league, will next play Brighton. And Arsenal, in hopes of retaining their edge, will next play a tough north London derby against fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur who also desperately need a win to reach the top four, six points short of Villa. Should Arteta's side win on Sunday, City will likely need to be perfect in their final six games to defend their title.

Despite enduring a disappointing first season under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea had been unbeaten in eight consecutive league games before their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday. But they were blown away by Mikel Arteta's side who were keen to reaffirm their title credentials after losing their last home game to Aston Villa.

The hosts flew out of the blocks and were in front inside five minutes when Trossard smashed in his 15th goal of the season at Djordje Petrovic's near post.

Chelsea keeper Petrovic then redeemed himself with two brilliant saves to turn away Havertz's low effort and a deflected shot by Trossard to keep his side in the game before half-time.

The Serbian briefly held Arsenal at bay early in the second period with saves from Declan Rice and Havertz. However, the floodgates opened once White curled in Arsenal's second after Chelsea failed to clear a corner at 52 minutes.

Although Havertz scored a winning goal for Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2021, he did not find the form to perform on a consistent level until recently under Arteta.

Martin Odegaard's stunning through ball was met with the finish it deserved as Havertz smashed high past Petrovic. His next finish was more subtle, as the German fired in off the post from Bukayo Saka's pass for his seventh goal in his last 14 club games.

A night to forget for Chelsea was complete when White's attempted cross flew into the top corner from another sensational Odegaard pass.

(With input from AFP)