Arteta Reflects on Arsenal’s Gritty Win Over Chelsea, Title Bid Strengthened

Arsenal secured a crucial 2-1 victory against Chelsea on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table. The win puts the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City, though City have a game in hand .

Match Recap

William Saliba opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 21st minute with a goal from a corner kick. But, Chelsea quickly responded with an own goal from Piero Hincapie, deflecting a Reece James corner into the net. The decisive goal came in the 21st minute of the second half, again from a corner, with Jurrien Timber heading the ball into the net .

Arteta’s Post-Match Reaction

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the match as a “proper London derby” and emphasized the importance of the win in the context of the title race . He shared his takeaways from the dramatic victory in a post-match interview and .

Criticism and Fan Response

Despite the win, Arsenal’s performance drew criticism from former players. Chris Sutton questioned the team’s excessive celebrations, suggesting they should reserve their enthusiasm for the end of the season . He also remarked that if Arsenal were to win the league, they might be considered “the ugliest PL winning team in history” due to their reliance on set pieces and overall performance.

Arsenal fans responded negatively to Sutton’s comments, expressing frustration with what they perceive as biased coverage from the British media .

Vieira’s Assessment

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira acknowledged the importance of securing three points but also pointed out areas for improvement. He noted that Arsenal’s goals came exclusively from set pieces and that the game was more open than expected . Vieira suggested that the team’s long wait for a title might be contributing to a sense of desperation and a reluctance to take risks.

Looking Ahead

With Manchester City closely pursuing, Arsenal’s ability to maintain their form and capitalize on set-piece opportunities will be crucial in their quest for the Premier League title. Arteta will be looking for his team to build on this gritty win and deliver more convincing performances in the weeks to come.