Havertz nets brace as Arsenal thrash Chelsea 5-0

Arsenal delivered a historic performance against Chelsea, securing their largest ever victory over their London rivals with a 5-0 thrashing on Tuesday, which reinforced their position at the top of the Premier League. Kai Havertz, a former Chelsea player, scored twice, contributing significantly to the victory.

Ben White also netted two goals in the second half as Chelsea’s defense crumbled, prompting many of their traveling fans to exit Emirates Stadium early. Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard, who scored the first goal in the fourth minute, reflected on the victory, noting that scoring early set the tone for a dominant display.

This win positions Arsenal three points clear at the top of the league, ahead of Liverpool, who are set to play in the Merseyside derby against Everton. Manchester City trails by four points and has a game in hand, playing Brighton next.

On the other hand, Chelsea is dealing with another tough loss following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinals, ending their season’s prospects on a sour note. With key scorer Cole Palmer injured, Chelsea’s performance raised doubts about the team’s progress under manager Mauricio Pochettino in his first season.

Pochettino expressed disappointment over the team’s performance, especially after the third goal, noting a drop in effort and consistency this season. Chelsea is significantly behind Arsenal in the standings, a stark contrast to their aspirations.

Arsenal’s comprehensive win surpasses their previous record league victory over Chelsea, a 5-1 win back in 1930. Despite the heavy defeat, Pochettino refused to blame his players, citing challenges like Palmer’s absence, a youthful lineup, and residual fatigue from their recent game against Manchester City.

Trossard initiated the scoring, catching Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic off guard. Although Petrovic made several key saves, Arsenal’s relentless pressure in the second half proved too much, with White and Havertz capitalizing to extend their lead. Havertz, who moved from Chelsea to Arsenal last summer, was particularly effective, scoring his goals in quick succession. White admitted his second goal, which unexpectedly went in from a volleyed cross, was a bit fortuitous.

In response to the mounting score, Pochettino brought on veteran defender Thiago Silva to try and stem the tide, but the damage had already been done, marking a memorable night for Arsenal and a regrettable one for Chelsea.