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Arsenal secured their first Premier League victory since November with an impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Emirates on Saturday.
Goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka eased the pressure on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as they moved six points away from the bottom three.
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It was Arsenal’s first home league win since October and the first time they have scored three league goals since opening-day win at Fulham.
Tammy Abraham scored late for Chelsea but missed an opportunity to climb to second in the table and remain sixth, one point out of the top four.
Before kickoff, Arsenal announced that Gabriel will miss his next three games because he isolates himself after coming into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Arsenal added that defender David Luiz and winger Willian had tested negative but were not good to play.
Arsenal started off brilliantly, but it was Chelsea who came closest to opening the scoring after 13 minutes, when a Mason Mount free kick hit the post.
The hosts received a penalty just after half an hour when Reece James dropped Kieran Tierney and Lacazette converted the penalty.
Xhaka doubled his lead just before the break with a fantastic free kick that flew into the top corner.
At 10 minutes into the second half, Saka scored Arsenal’s third goal with an effort that outscored Edouard Mendy.
Arsenal could have scored a fourth moment later, but Gabriel Martinelli’s shot was stopped as Joe Willock attacked from close range.
Mohamed Elneny hit the crossbar before Abraham scored a consolation goal for the visitors.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty in injury time, but Bernd Leno saved Jorginho and Arsenal escaped a nervous shot.
