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| Mesut Ozil scored his first goal at Emirates Stadium in 2016 during Arsenal's win over Chelsea |
Arsenal produced a devastating first-half display to dismantle Chelsea and secure a fourth successive Premier League win.
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.
Match Highlight
Match Highlight
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 Arsenal moved third in the table.
Same old Arsenal?
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| Alexis Sanchez has scored 47 goals in his first 100 appearances for Arsenal, one fewer than Thierry Henry managed |
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."
This was a performance that spoke eloquently on behalf of Wenger's theory - with the proviso Gunnners fans have heard this talk before only to be disappointed.
This, however, was a magnificent exhibition of power, pace and end product, from the skills of Sanchez and Ozil in attack to the lightning speed and tackling of Bellerin at the back.
It was as complete an Arsenal performance as they have delivered for some time. Now can they build on the platform set up by this brilliant 90 minutes?
Chelsea look broken
Chelsea looked an old and jaded side when faced with Liverpool's intense, aggressive approach at Stamford Bridge last week, their first loss under Antonio Conte.
This was, arguably, an even more harrowing experience and a stark illustration of the job the Italian must do to revive Chelsea.
Conte will know the pressures that come with managing under demanding owner Roman Abramovich, but the man who impressed so much in charge of Juventus and Italy must be given time to address so many problems.
Chelsea still rely so heavily on 35-year-old captain John Terry, out injured here, while elements of the side that looked so strong winning the title the season before last are crumbling.
Branislav Ivanovic had a miserable game but it was even worse for England defender Cahill, who was responsible for Sanchez's opener and also involved in an arm-waving spat with Courtois after a breakdown in communication in the second half
Kante does not have the energy and support he had in midfield at Leicester City, with Nemanja Matic laboured and Cesc Fabregas off the pace and substituted. The hero of last season's title win was left trailing in Ozil's wake for Arsenal's third.
Eden Hazard has regressed again while Diego Costa's only serious contribution was to conduct another war against the world.
In other words, Conte has a large job on his hands.
Sanchez and Ozil the key for Arsenal
When Sanchez and Ozil are in this mood, Arsenal are a threat to anyone in an attacking context.
The pair are world class when at the peak of their powers - and they certainly were here.
Sanchez hurried Cahill into a panic before a gloriously composed chip for Arsenal's first, and he and Ozil combined to leave Chelsea's defence embarrassed as the latter scored the third.
Arsenal were outstanding in all areas - but Sanchez and Ozil provided the final flourishes with the sort of class that makes them central figures in all Wenger is trying to achieve this season.
What they said?
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "It was an outstanding team performance. We played with spirit and collective pace and movement, always in a positive and committed team way.
"Our defenders have done extremely well. You cannot say one player was not at the right level from Petr Cech to Alexis Sanchez.
"We wanted to start strong in a high pace and committed way. We started wobbly in the first 20 minutes against Southampton. We wanted to be consistent in our pressure no matter the score. We did it very well in the first half. It was in and out in the second, which was understandable.
"Ideally you want the perfect game and you never get it. We got nearly the perfect first half and that is not bad. Football doesn't care for history and the anniversaries, just the result on the day. Today we had a good performance."
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said: "I think that we didn't have the right attitude from the first minute.
"After today we are thinking we must work a lot because we are a great team only on paper. It is always a team problem rather than individuals, When nothing works it is very hard for a player to play well.
"I don't want to talk about the mistake [from Gary Cahill]. It is not right for the player. We win and lose as a team. If someone thinks this team is ready to fight, I think we must wait to improve a lot to come back a great team on the pitch, not just on paper.
"We have not got the balance and now is the moment to consider everything. It is incredible to concede three goals. We must have last season present in our mind to not repeat the mistakes. We must reflect a lot to find very soon the right way."
What's next?
Arsenal are involved in Champions League action on Wednesday with a home tie against Swiss side Basel. Chelsea do not have any European football this season so are not playing again until Saturday, when they play Hull away in a Premier League match.
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