Arsenal also proves themselves as title contenders at Stamford Bridge

Arsenal again proved themselves as a major title contender on Sunday afternoon. Coach Mikel Arteta’s team was 0-1 too strong for city rival Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. With the win, Arsenal regained the lead in the Premier League from Manchester City, which took two points less in thirteen games.

In north London, people are daring to dream of the first title since 2004 as Arsenal is performing excellently this season. Although they suffered a defeat against coach Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United on 4 September, that was the only one so far this season in league terms. Manchester City currently looks like Arsenal’s main rival for the national title. And that club narrowly won against Fulham (2-1) on Saturday.

Arsenal knew that a win over Chelsea would see it retake the lead from Manchester City. But the city rival, which has dropped out of the top-four, proved to be a tough opponent. Big chances were scarce in the first half, in which both teams did play at the cutting edge. Significantly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, former Arsenal player and currently Chelsea striker, hardly had any ball contact.

In the second half too, relatively little happened in front of both goals. Still, the derby got a winner. A seemingly harmless corner was not properly cleared by Chelsea’s defence, allowing Gabriel Magalhães to give the decisive push on the goal line. Arsenal held on to the 0-1 lead until the final whistle and therefore continue to lead the Premier League after the 13th round of play. Next week, Arteta and his men take on Wolverhampton Wanderers. In between, they will play Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup.