Premier League LIVE: Arsenal vs Chelsea – radio commentaries, preview, team news, stats & head-to-head
Chelsea imploded in an all-too-familiar fashion despite their second-half ascendancy at the Emirates Stadium.
A second goal conceded from a corner, scored by Timber in the 66th minute, was followed by a cynical foul from Pedro Neto which earned him a second yellow card and, ultimately, his exclusion.
It was Chelsea’s seventh Premier League red card of the season, leaving them two points off the division record with 10 games remaining. The sending-off shifted the momentum back in Arsenal’s favor and Chelsea were unable to recover.
It was also their ninth red card in all competitions. Before kick-off, head coach Liam Rosenior had suggested discipline was improving under his watch, but he has now seen players sent off in consecutive matches.
Pedro Neto will miss the midweek trip to Aston Villa, creating even more headaches for Rosenior: Cole Palmer is doubtful, unable to play three matches a week due to ongoing fitness issues, and fellow strikers Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens are injured.
His dismissal comes just a week after Wesley Fofana’s red card in the 1-1 draw against Burnley. Fofana’s suspension allowed Sarr to make his first league start since returning to Chelsea in Sunday’s match at Arsenal.
Like last weekend’s collapse, when Zian Flemming equalized with a header from a corner in injury time, Chelsea once again ‘set fire’ to the points, to borrow Rosenior’s expression.
They once again demonstrated the contrast between their offensive and defensive performances. James’ deliveries created an own goal, two penalties and a clear chance, but the same vulnerabilities persist at the other end of the pitch.
And the same old questions will be asked of this Chelsea team – the youngest in the Premier League – who have not beaten Arsenal since the days of Thomas Tuchel’s management and Roman Abramovich’s ownership.
In the short term, Chelsea have lost further ground to rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, who both won this weekend. They will need to improve if they are to realize their ambition of returning to the Champions League next season.