Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal: Gabriel fires, Gunners continue their EPL lead by derby win

Gabriel's winner sends Gunners back to the top of the Premier League.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

10' CHANCE! Ben White's shot wide out

19' CHANCE! Jesus' shot blocked

26' Yellow Card! Aubameyang booked

29' CLOSE! Jesus' header wide out

41' Yellow Card! Saka booked

50' Yellow Card! Azpilicueta booked

62' GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal (Gabriel)

74' MISS! Odegaard's shot wide out

84' Yellow Card! Conor Gallagher booked

88' Yellow Card! Sterling booked

92' Ardent conflict between Xhaka and Chalobah

Match Report

Arsenal passed arguably the biggest test of their title credentials to date as Gabriel's goal earned them a 1-0 win away at Chelsea and a return to the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners' Brazilian centre-back touched in Bukayo Saka's corner mid-way through the second half to earn Mikel Arteta's side a priceless three points.

Arsenal could have put more past their opponents had Gabriel Jesus scored gilt-edged chances in either half.

At the other end, it was a disappointing afternoon for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who started for Chelsea against his former club, but rarely threatened along with the rest of his Blues' attackers.

The result means the Gunners have re-established their two-point lead at the top of the table with just one game - a trip to Wolves live on Sky Sports next Saturday - before the World Cup break.

How Arsenal won at Stamford Bridge

Arsenal enjoyed the better of the first half after a bright start at Stamford Bridge and could have taken the lead within a minute as Gabriel nodded on Thomas Partey's long throw in to the side-netting.

The Gunners went even closer within the first 10 minutes as Ben White's shot nearly found Gabriel Jesus at the back post but the Brazilian couldn't apply the touch to divert it goalwards.

Either side of that chance saw two decent openings in the box for Kai Havertz at the right-hand side of the penalty area but he skied one effort over the bar before testing the gloves of Aaron Ramsdale in the only shot on target in the first half. It was the closest the hosts would come all game.

But the best opening in the first 45 minutes, a heated one that saw former Arsenal captain Aubameyang booked for a late lunge on White right in front of a furious Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, fell to the visitors and Jesus once again.

A brilliant one-touch move on the edge of their own box freed Xhaka and Martinelli down the left. The latter fed Jesus who was all alone at the back post but could only head wide of the near post.

The Gunners continued the second half in similar vein and another Jesus chance went begging. The Brazilian was played in down the Arsenal right but Mendy saved his tight-angle shot at the near post.

From the resulting corner, Arsenal eventually made their chances count. Saka's corner was heading all the way in but Gabriel tapped home on the line. The England winger took the plaudits with the celebration but replays showed the centre-back got there before it crossed over.

Chelsea, who were planning to switch up their play before the Arsenal goal with two substitutions, were rattled as the Gunners dominated from there. Saka slammed over the bar in the area before Martin Odegaard missed a better chance, scooping over Mendy's crossbar after being played in by Jesus.

The home side did apply some pressure as the clock ticked on and the rain fell in west London, but last-ditch challenges from White and William Saliba in the box kept Chelsea's blunt attack at bay.

The final whistle saw boos ring around Stamford Bridge, while Arteta took his Gunners team to the away end to celebrate a massive victory.

Analysis: Arsenal are playing like Man City

Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz at Stamford Bridge:

Last autumn, Manchester City went to Chelsea with the two teams considered as direct rivals. Gabriel Jesus scored the winning goal as City won a tight game 1-0.

It was deemed a statement victory to separate City from a title rival as Pep Guardiola's side went on to win the league, leaving a toothless Chelsea to settle for lesser objectives.

This year, Arsenal achieved the same feat but instead of Jesus finding the net - though he should have done after missing countless opportunities - it was another Brazilian Gabriel who came to the rescue for the winning goal.

The defender's winner means Arsenal are not just top of the table for another week, but they're now 13 points ahead of Chelsea - a team who before the season the Gunners were looking to rival for a top-four spot.

It was a performance that justified the 13-point difference between the two teams in the league table.

The way Mikel Arteta celebrated the win shows how it's not just the team sat as London top dogs that has changed, it's also the perception of his Arsenal team.

The Gunners were resolute at the home of a 'Big Six' rival - something that has not been always common down the years. There was discipline, plenty of creativity and calmness. They went to Chelsea and played like Manchester City do.

If there wasn't any doubt before, there shouldn't be now. Only an injury crisis could stop them from mounting a title challenge and going toe-to-tie with Man City, who Arteta's side resemble more and more as the weeks go on.

Line-ups

Chelsea XI: Thiago Silva, Azpilicueta, Aubameyang, Sterling, Jorginho, Edouard Mendy, Loftus-Cheek, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Mount, Havertz

Subs: Koulibaly, Kovacic, Marcus Bettinelli, Ziyech, Zakaria, Pulisic, Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, Lewis Hall

Arsenal XI: Xhaka, Partey, Zinchenko, Martin Ødegaard, Jesus, Gabriel, Ramsdale, Ben White, Martinelli, William Saliba, Saka

Subs: Cedric, M.Elneny, Tierney, Holding, Matt Turner, Nelson, Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fábio Vieira