Chelsea missed the opportunity to strengthen the grip over a place in top four as they suffered a shock defeat by a below par Arsenal in the English Premier League London derby.
Making the most of a horrible Jorginho backpass, Arsenal skipper Pierri-Emerick Aubameyang feeded Emile Smith Rowe in just 16 minutes to slot in from close range the only goal of the game in a an otherwise uneventful match at Stamford Bridge.
The high flying Chelsea made seven changes from the side who dramatically defeated the recently elected champions Manchester City in the previous match with Kepa, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Jorginho, Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz making to the starting line up while Arsenal made five changes with Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Aubameyang all coming in.
The Blues had a whopping possession throuout the match and they almost took the lead in the 11th minute when Pablo Mari was dispossessed by Kai Havertz who made good work before firing a golden opportunity over the onrushing Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.
Five minutes later, the Gunners took the lead against the run of play as Jorginho's misjudged backpass almost resulted in an own goal but Kepa Arrizabalaga made a gigantic effort to claw it off the line. However, the ball fell to Aubameyang, who teed up Smith-Rowe to slot in the goal for the visitors.
The hosts were in complete control from then on as in-form Mason Mount twice went close, seeing a volley inside the box blocked before the Bernd Leno made a fine save to deny the English international.
Christian Pulisic’s goal on the hour was ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside before Thomas Tuchel’s side twice went close to salvaging a point in stoppage time as Leno pushed Kurt Zouma's thumping header onto the bar before former Gunner Giroud's volley from a tight angle bounced back off the woodwork.
Mikel Arteta’s side held on to keep the Chelsea attacks on bay to register a very unlikely away win against the London rivals who will meet fellow Premier League side Manchester City in the upcoming Champions League final on 29 May.
With the first double win against the Blues in 17 years, Arsenal kept their fading hopes of chasing a European place with just two games left.
Chelsea remain fourth on 64 points, two point behind Leicester City and six ahead of West Ham and seven ahead of Liverpool, who have two games in hand
Arsenal who have played a game more sit eighth, just one point behind North London rivals Tottenham in seventh.
Comments