Arsenal returned to the top of the table thanks to a first-half blitz at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal produced a brilliant first-half performance to beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates and return to the top of the Premier League table.

Two goals from Martin Odegaard and a goal from Gabriel Jesus continued the Blues’ miserable losing streak under Frank Lampard, whose side failed to mount a spectacular second-half comeback after Noni Madueke’s reckless return.

Chelsea boss Lampard’s changes did little to undo the Blues’ woes as Arsenal ran riot in the first half to wrap up the game before the half-time whistle.

Mikel Arteta’s side almost cut the lead after four minutes when Cesar Azpilicueta beat Kepa Arrizabalaga with a low header and Granit Xhaka was able to pounce but Kepa struggled to save from the Switzerland captain.

However, Kepa did little to stop Odegaard in the 18th minute when Xhaka sent the Norwegian over the bar with a neat shot – Kepa got a fingertip, but only helped the ball over the line.

The captain’s opener was just reward for Arsenal’s complete dominance, but Chelsea leveled from almost nothing in the 25th minute when Ben Chilwell fought past Bukayo Saka on the left and Aaron Ramsdale forced a brilliant save in time to try and reach the far corner. . removed.

The Blues quickly hit the back and the lethal Xhaka-Odegaard combination was revealed in the 31st minute when the former picked out his captain from inside the box to score into the bottom corner.

Raheem Sterling was asleep when Odegaard flew into space, and just three minutes later the Gunners’ third goal symbolized Chelsea’s devastating defence.

Ben White’s cross from the right caused chaos in the Chelsea penalty area and after Xhaka blocked the close-range shot, the ball fell softly to Jesus, who fired home from a tight angle.

The Brazilian was surrounded by a sea of blue shirts, but Lampard’s men kept six of seven in defence, while an isolated Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was limited to just nine touches in the first half at his former home – his odd display brought to a swift end. when Kai Havertz was brought in for the second period.

However, normal service was quickly restored when Thiago Silva eloquently cleared Gabriel Magalhães’ header off the line in the 51st minute, before Kepa headed home Xhaka’s low shot seconds later.

A fourth goal looked to be on the cards for Arsenal, but the hosts’ inability to keep the back door shut at home worried them in the 65th minute when Mateo Kovacic’s cross found Madueke, who headed home but failed to find the target. best connection but still managed to defeat Ramsdale.

Madueke was undoubtedly Chelsea’s brightest spark on a stormy night, but unlike West Ham United and Liverpool, Arsenal did not accept a late capitulation and lingered comfortably in the dying embers.

Arsenal now have 78 points from 34 games and will remain at the top for at least 24 hours as Manchester City – who have two games in hand – look to hit back against West Ham on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, divided Chelsea, who have lost six games in a row for the first time in 30 years, are yet to reach the 40-point mark and remain in 12th place with 39 points from 33 games.

The Gunners next face a challenging trip to Newcastle United on Sunday, while the Blues face a midfield battle against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium a day earlier.

Lineups:

Arsenal (4-3-3): 

Ramsdale; White, Gabriel (Holding 85), Kiwior, Zinchenko (Tierney 73); Jorginho (Partey 86), Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka (Nelson 74), Jesus, Trossard (Martinelli 59)

Unused subs:  Turner, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nketiah

Chelsea (4-3-3):

Kepa; Azpilicueta, W.Fofana (Chalobah 86), Thiago Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Enzo (Mudryk 71), Kovacic; Madueke (Ziyech 79), Aubameyang (Havertz h/t), Sterling (Gallagher 71)

Unused subs: Mendy, Badiashile, Loftus-Cheek, Joao Felix

Scorers:

Bookings:

Man of the Match : Martin Ødegaard