Arsenal win set-piece battle to sink Chelsea in title boost

Arsenal’s Dutch defender #12 Jurrien Timber (front left) celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on Sunday, Photo: Adrian Dennis / AFP Arsenal won their set-piece battle with 10-man Chelsea as Jurrien Timber sealed the Premier League leaders’ crucial 2-1 victory over their London rivals on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side struck twice from corners and also conceded from the same route in a match that underlined the increasing importance of set-pieces in the Premier League. William Saliba’s first goal since December 2024 put Arsenal ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.

Piero Hincapie’s own goal drew Chelsea level from one of Reece James’ deadly corners just before the break. But Timber won a priceless three points for Arsenal with his second-half header before Chelsea winger Pedro Neto was sent off for a second booking. The Gunners’ second successive league win reestablished their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand and had closed the gap with a 1-0 victory at Leeds on Saturday.

After enduring scathing criticism of their mentality during a recent wobble that breathed new life into the title race, Arsenal have got back on track just in time as they followed last weekend’s 4-1 rout of Tottenham with a far more tense triumph. Arsenal travel to Brighton on Wednesday with nine games left in their bid to win a first English title since 2004. The Gunners, through to the League Cup final, the Champions League last 16 and the FA Cup fifth round, have just one top-flight match left against sides currently in the top six — a potentially decisive trip to Manchester City on April 18.

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Chelsea’s third consecutive game without a win was a blow to their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They dropped to sixth place after losing to Arsenal for the third time in Liam Rosenior’s brief reign.

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