Arsenal x Chelsea - Highlights, Summary and Match Report

Incidents: The story of the match1': The match begins6': Missed opportunity. Cole Palmer from Chelsea attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.6': Missed opportunity. Cole Palmer fro...

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Timber's winner helps Arsenal restore five-point lead

[Timber's winner helps Arsenal restore five-point lead]

Timber's winner helps Arsenal restore five-point lead

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Sun, March 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM UTC·
6 min read

Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the table after a hard-fought win at home to Chelsea.

The Blues started the half well at the Emirates Stadium, save for Robert Sánchez almost giving the ball away early on.

However, it was the home side who took the lead in typical fashion with a corner that Chelsea couldn't deal with. William Saliba ended up getting the final touch to put his said ahead.

Corners also proved to be Arsenal's weakness against the Blues and they were lucky not to concede a penalty from one just before half-time as the ball hit the elbow outstretched of Declan Rice but for some reason VAR didn't send the referee to have another look at it.

Instead, Chelsea had another corner and from Reece James' dangerous delivery the ball went past David Raya via the head of Piero Hincapié.

Chelsea wanted another penalty from a set-piece early in the second half as João Pedro just won the header before Raya was able to complete his punch but again Arsenal got away with one.

With 66 minutes gone – another corner, another goal. This time it was Jurrien Timber heading in for the Gunners to make it 2-1. Sánchez protested saying he was pushed but of all the wrestling and fouls from corners in this game, this seemed like the 'cleanest' of the bunch.

Following the goal, Pedro Neto was booked for his protests and soon after was shown another yellow card. Gabriel Martinelli was countering for the Gunners and was clumsily brought down by the Portuguese winger giving the referee no other choice but to send him off.

Arsenal weren't able to stand their authority on the game with superior numbers and had to survive a late scare with Alejandro Garnacho whipping in a late cross that looked like it would sneak into the corner until Raya was able to palm it away.

In the end, Mikel Arteta's side recorded what could be a vital three points to give themselves breathing room at the top of the table.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

6':

Missed opportunity. Cole Palmer from Chelsea attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

6':

Missed opportunity. Cole Palmer from Chelsea took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

7':

Opportunity wasted. Martín Zubimendi from Arsenal attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

7':

Missed opportunity! Martín Zubimendi from Arsenal took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the crossbar. He was set up by Bukayo Saka.

7':

Opportunity wasted! Martín Zubimendi of Arsenal took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar. The assist came from Bukayo Saka.

10':

Opportunity wasted. Mamadou Sarr from Chelsea took a left-footed shot from inside the six-yard box, but it went wide on the left side.

10':

Missed opportunity! Mamadou Sarr from Chelsea took a left-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box after a set piece, but it didn't find the target.

10':

Missed opportunity. Mamadou Sarr from Chelsea attempted a left-footed shot from close range but sent it wide to the left.

15':

Opportunity wasted. Eberechi Eze from Arsenal took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards out, but it went just wide.

15':

Missed opportunity! Eberechi Eze from Arsenal takes a right-footed shot from over 35 yards out.

15':

Opportunity wasted. Eberechi Eze from Arsenal took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards out, but it went just wide of the target.

Arsenal takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. William Saliba heads the ball into the net from close range following a corner kick.Arsenal takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. William Saliba scores with a header from just a few yards out, placing it in the top center of the net. The assist comes from Gabriel Magalhães, who set him up with a headed pass after a corner kick.Arsenal takes the lead 1-0 against Chelsea! William Saliba scores with a header from close range, sending the ball to the top center of the net. The assist comes from Gabriel Magalhães, who also headed the ball after a corner kick.

21':

GOAL Arsenal: William Saliba (Arsenal) scores!

William Saliba scores goal number 1 in the competition (24 matches) William Saliba scores goal number 9 for his team (169 matches)

29':

Missed opportunity! Declan Rice of Arsenal took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right of the goal. He was set up by Bukayo Saka.

29':

Missed opportunity. Declan Rice from Arsenal attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and wide to the right. The assist came from Bukayo Saka.

37':

Missed opportunity. Jurriën Timber from Arsenal took a right-footed shot from the center of the box that went just wide to the right. Bukayo Saka provided the assist.

45 +2':

GOAL Arsenal: Piero Hincapié (Arsenal) socres an own goal!

56':

Missed opportunity! João Pedro of Chelsea attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Reece James, who delivered a cross.

56':

Missed opportunity! João Pedro of Chelsea heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes wide to the left. The cross was delivered by Reece James.

56':

Opportunity wasted! João Pedro from Chelsea attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The cross was delivered by Reece James.

60':

Missed opportunity! João Pedro from Chelsea takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails high and to the left. The chance was set up by Pedro Neto during a quick counter-attack.

60':

Missed opportunity! João Pedro from Chelsea takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails high and to the left of the goal. The assist came from Pedro Neto after a quick counterattack.

Arsenal takes the lead 2-1 against Chelsea. Jurriën Timber scores with a header from close range right in front of the goal. The assist came from Declan Rice, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.Arsenal takes the lead with a score of 2-1 against Chelsea. Jurriën Timber scores with a close-range header right in front of the goal, thanks to a cross from Declan Rice after a corner kick.Arsenal takes the lead 2-1 against Chelsea. Jurriën Timber scores with a close-range header right in front of the goal. The assist comes from Declan Rice, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.

66':

GOAL Arsenal: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) scores!

Jurrien Timber scores goal number 3 in the competition (28 matches)

70':

Red Card for Pedro Neto (Chelsea)

Pedro Neto has now picked up 0 red in the competition (28 matches)

87':

Missed opportunity. Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match

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