Gabriel’s second-half goal was enough to keep Arsenal top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday that further underlined the Gunners’ title credentials.
With a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, Gabriel’s second-half goal was enough to keep Arsenal atop the Premier League standings and further demonstrated the Gunners’ title prospects.
In the 63rd minute at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian center-back was on hand to direct in a corner from Bukayo Saka following a largely dominant performance by the visitor against a feeble Chelsea team.
The victory puts Arsenal back in first place, two points ahead of Manchester City, which had previously held the lead after a dramatic victory against Fulham on Saturday. By adding this result to prior victories against Liverpool and Tottenham, it also sends an even stronger message to City that Arsenal is likely to be its main rival for the trophy this season.
But for Chelsea, it was again another lackluster performance that will put manager Graham Potter under more pressure, particularly after a 4-1 defeat at his former club Brighton the previous week.
Gabriel Jesus missed the clearest opportunity of the first half by heading wide from close range, which would have stretched his goal drought to nine games in a row across all competitions. Arsenal was in control for the majority of the game and might have have been up by halftime.
Chelsea, in contrast, made little threats even after going behind, albeit the final 20 minutes of the game were made more difficult by a torrential downpour. Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was kept quiet until he was substituted shortly after the opening goal. This was his first time playing against the Gunners since joining Barcelona in January.
Despite spending the most of a fast-paced first half attacking Chelsea’s goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy, Arsenal was unable to force a save. Ben White’s close-range attempt from inside the box in the 10th minute went wide. Gabriel Martinelli’s long-range attempt in the 17th minute also went wide. In the 20th minute, after snatching the ball from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and dribbling into the box, Jesus had a shot blocked by Thiago Silva.
Jesus then missed the greatest opportunity in the 29th minute as he sent a header wide after failing to connect with Martinelli’s cross.
Up until Kai Havertz sprinted onto a ball in the area in the 34th minute, Chelsea hardly presented a threat, forcing Aaron Ramsdale to make a straightforward stop.
In the end, a defender was the one to break the tie.
Before Gabriel turned Saka’s corner into the top of the net, it dodged a number of players and bounced in the area.
In the 68th, Saka had an opportunity to double the lead, but his difficult-to-hit shot went well over the bar.
Jesus’ rapid counterattack put Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard through on goal, but he missed a great opportunity by lifting his effort high after cutting inside.
