03 May 2023 , 08:00
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It did not turn out to be quite the embarrassment it looked like being at half time.
Arsenal were 3-0 up and in cruise control while Chelsea’s first half capitulation was an utter embarrassment and felt like a new low even in the most turbulent of seasons.
Mikel Arteta’s men got the victory they needed to go back to the top of the table for 24 hours at least before Manchester City play West Ham on Wednesday night. But after four games without a win, Arsenal also had the chance to really make a statement and, while it was comfortable enough, they did not take full advantage.
This Chelsea team looked utterly broken in the first half, they have rarely played as badly and their confidence looks shot to bits after six straight defeats under Frank Lampard.
Chelsea will be grateful they already have 39 points on the board because it is hard to see them getting another playing this badly.
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Their defending was woeful and their first half surrender was epitomised by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who was substituted at half time after making just nine touches. What a humiliating return to his old club.
Lampard probably thought returning to his old club as caretaker boss to hold the fort until the end of the season was a no-brainer but it has turned into a disaster which saw the home fans taunting him as the goals flew in.
Thiago Silva's expression told the story (Getty Images)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang endured a rotten evening against Arsenal (Getty Images)At least Chelsea showed some heart in the second half, Noni Madueke pulled one back, but by then it was too little too late and the end of the season cannot come soon enough.
It is hard to remember this London derby being so one-sided in Arsenal’s favour as Martin Odegaard scored twice, Granit Xhaka was outstanding and at one point it looked like it was going to be five or six.
Arsenal were so dominant, Chelsea were so bad and Lampard’s losers were the dream opposition for the Gunners to reclaim some much needed confidence.
The Gunners were ahead after just 18 minutes after Xhaka’s low cross from the left was inexplicably left by Enzo Fernandez and the ball ran through the Chelsea’s midfielder’s legs.
It was on a plate for Odegaard to fire home into the roof of the net after 18 minutes. That was the perfect start for Arsenal after their recent nerves and wobble.
Arsenal made it 2-0 after 31 minutes from the same combination. Xhaka’s cross from the left found Odegaard and this time the Arsenal captain fired a low shot into the ground and it went past keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Martin Odegaard celebrates his second (Getty Images)
Frank Lampard, Caretaker Manager of Chelsea, acknowledges the fans after their defeat to ArsenalThree minutes later Arsenal were 3-0 up and in cruise control. Ben White put over a deep cross to the back post, Gabriel Jesus kept the ball alive, Xhaka did brilliantly to pull it back for Jesus who forced home from close range.
Xhaka had already provided two assists, might not get the credit for the third but deserved it because he had played so well that Chelsea simply could not handle him.
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Arsenal had chances to go further ahead after the break as both Jesus and Xhaka were denied by saves by Arrizabalaga. But they got sloppy and eased off and let Chelsea back in.
Lampard brought on for Kai Havertz at half time and Chelsea were much better. They got one back when Mateo Kovacic’s ball over the top played in Madueke who held off Gabriel’s challenge to bundle the ball past Ramsdale but it was too little too late.