Goodbye for now
That’s it from our live coverage of a record-breaking game between Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Gunners fire five past the Blues for their biggest victory against their London rivals.
Leandro Trossard’s fourth-minute drive gave the home side a deserved half-time lead. The two second-half braces from Ben White and Kai Havertz, however, helped hammer Mauricio Pochettino’s beleaguered side.
We’ll be back on Wednesday with Everton against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby where the Reds will have to respond to Arsenal’s three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
For now, though – from me, Kevin Hand – it’s goodbye.
✅ The club's biggest ever win against Chelsea
✅ Three points clear at the top of the table
✅ A sixth win by 5+ goals this season
Plenty to be pleased with there, @Arsenal fans 😏 pic.twitter.com/6OGTzernm9
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2024
Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s record win against Chelsea
“I’m very happy, first of all, with the win, the amount of chance, the amount of goals and the clean sheet,” the Arsenal manager told TNT Sports.
“We weren’t disciplined enough [in the first half], especially when defending the box. We had to be a lot better in the second half and we were.
“When teams defend with more men, the outside is a bit more open, and well done to the players for recognising it and making the most of it.
“We all agreed [Martin] Odegaard could add something special to the team.
“It’s always a question when you have to handle a different role [when given the captaincy] but the way he lifts the game and loves the game, it’s more than enough to convince everyone to follow him.”
Ben White tight-lipped on volleyed goal
Arsenal defender Ben White scored a brace on the night but his second appeared to be an attempted cross.
“I’ll let others decide for themselves,” White told TNT Sports when asked if he meant it.
“We know we can score goals. It was a quick game and important for us to put the chances away.
“It’s not just the defence keeping the clean sheets. The wingers are tracking back helping us. It’s a team effort.”