Arsenal edge 10-man Chelsea 2-1 to strengthen EPL title charge

Arsenal claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 10-man Chelsea on Sunday, prevailing in a contest defined by set-pieces as Jurrien Timber delivered a decisive blow to their London rivals.

The Premier League leaders and their visitors both capitalised on dead-ball situations in a match that once again highlighted the growing influence of set-pieces in England’s top flight.

William Saliba ended his goal drought stretching back to December 2024 to hand Arsenal the advantage in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea responded before the interval when Piero Hincapie inadvertently turned home from one of Reece James’ dangerous deliveries.

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However, Timber restored Arsenal’s lead in the second half with a well-taken header, before Pedro Neto was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card.

The win, Arsenal’s second in succession, restored their five-point cushion over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand after narrowing the gap with Saturday’s 1-0 triumph at Leeds.

Following recent criticism over their mentality during a dip in form that reopened the title race, Mikel Arteta’s side appear to have rediscovered their focus. After last weekend’s emphatic 4-1 demolition of Tottenham, they showed resilience in a far tighter encounter against Chelsea.

Arsenal head to Brighton on Wednesday with nine matches remaining as they pursue their first league crown since 2004.

Still competing on multiple fronts — having reached the League Cup final, the Champions League last 16 and the FA Cup fifth round — the Gunners have just one remaining league clash against a current top-six side: a potentially pivotal trip to Manchester City on April 18.

Chelsea, meanwhile, suffered a setback in their push for Champions League qualification. The defeat — their third successive match without a win — saw them slip to sixth place and marked a third loss to Arsenal during Liam Rosenior’s short tenure.

Robert Sanchez almost gifted Arsenal an early opener after losing his footing under pressure from Viktor Gyokeres, but recovered in time to clear the danger.

When the Chelsea goalkeeper again surrendered possession with a shaky clearance, Rosenior reacted in visible frustration.

Arsenal capitalised in the 21st minute through one of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover’s rehearsed routines. Gabriel Magalhaes rose above Reece James and Joao Pedro to flick Bukayo Saka’s corner into the six-yard area, where Saliba’s header deflected in off Mamadou Sarr.

Chelsea have now conceded eight goals from set-pieces in Rosenior’s opening 13 matches in charge — four of them coming against Arsenal.

Yet the visitors struck back just before half-time. A warning came when James’ corner glanced off Declan Rice’s shoulder, forcing David Raya into an excellent save. From the ensuing corner, James’ inswinger was headed into his own net by Hincapie.

Arsenal continued to look uneasy under James’ deliveries, with Joao Pedro first directing a header straight at Raya before nodding wide from another inviting set-piece.

Those missed opportunities proved costly.

In the 66th minute, Arsenal again demonstrated their efficiency from corners. Timber timed his run perfectly to head home from Rice’s delivery. Chelsea’s appeals for a foul on Sanchez were waved away, and the goal stood.

It marked Arsenal’s 16th league goal from a corner this season, prompting jubilant home supporters to chant “set-piece again, ole, ole.”

Neto, who had been booked for protesting after Timber’s goal, compounded Chelsea’s woes when he chopped down Gabriel Martinelli in the 70th minute, earning his second caution and dismissal.

Despite their numerical advantage, Arsenal still required a superb stoppage-time save from Raya to keep out Alejandro Garnacho before sealing the victory.