Arsenal on Saturday at the Emirates produced a devastating first-half display in a London English Premier League derby to dismantle Chelsea and secure a fourth successive EPL win.
The victory also turned out to be a perfect way to celebrate the imminent 20th anniversary of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez took advantage of Gary Cahill’s error to race clear and lift a composed finish over Thibaut Courtois after 11 minutes, and Theo Walcott completed a brilliant move to steer in Hector Bellerin’s pass three minutes later.
Nigerian international, Alex Iwobi, assisted in the goal scored by Walcott before he was replaced by Kieran Gibbs in the 69th minute.
Iwobi in a superb move rolled the ball right to the onrushing Bellerin, who sent into a pinpoint first-time cross to the waiting Walcott for a perfect finish.
Mesut Ozil then left N’Golo Kante trailing to expose Chelsea on the counter-attack and steer home Arsenal’s third five minutes before the break, after an exchange with Sanchez.
It was little more than damage limitation for Chelsea after that as they fell to their second league loss in a row as rampant Gunners moved third on the table.
Arsenal, for all Chelsea’s obvious frailties, were simply untouchable from back to front in a magnificent first 45 minutes that revived memories of their finest days.
The Gunners showed pace, skill, pressed Chelsea into submission and probed weaknesses ruthlessly in the manner of a team at the top of its game.
Arsenal’s fans, so often frustrated and having already expressed their discontent at home this season, left Emirates Stadium with a spring in their step and sharing the optimism expressed by manager Arsene Wenger.
He wrote in his programme notes: “We feel as though we are on the way up.”
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