Chelsea vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Gabriel pokes Gunners to victory

Vindication and victory almost came cloaked in perfection for Mikel Arteta. Almost, because as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang trotted off after an utterly ineffectual display in a reunion with the club who rejected him, Gabriel had just put Arsenal ahead. It was Gabriel Magalhaes, admittedly, and not Gabriel Jesus, the anti-Aubameyang, the belated replacement for the man Arsenal exiled to Barcelona only to see him reappear in London.

But it was, as their fans sang, one-nil to the Arsenal. There was another scoreline, less significant but nonetheless revealing of Arteta’s ethos: 37-8. Jesus had mustered 37 touches by the time the other No. 9 departed, Aubameyang just eight. It was the fewest on the pitch and if that is unsurprising – he comes from the breed of forward who lingers on the fringes of games, whereas the hyperactive Jesus prefers a greater level of involvement – he took anonymity to new levels.

Or, arguably, familiar levels for Chelsea, given Romelu Lukaku infamously played the full 90 minutes in last season’s game against Crystal Palace and mustered a mere seven. The highly-paid spectators at Stamford Bridge are not all found in the executive boxes.

European club chiefs have insisted they remain opposed to a breakaway Super League amid efforts to revive the project.

The proposal to establish a lucrative competition, in which 15 of the continent’s biggest names would be permanent members, was shot down in April last year amid an angry response from fans of the Premier League teams who had signed up as the British Government, UEFA and FIFA came out against it.

A22, the company behind the scheme, last month sought to reposition the plan, but the European Club Association’s view remains unchanged.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte confirmed he will be without several players for Sunday’s visit of Liverpool. The Italian said: “Richarlison is not available. It is the same for (Cristian) Romero but (Rodrigo) Bentancur is much better. Today he was part of the training session. It was the same for (Dejan) Kulusevski, today he had half training session with us.

“The problem is Lucas Moura is having some difference phases for his pain. Today he was really bad and he said to me he was worried but I asked him to try to be available because we need (him). Also Sonny (Son Heung-min) is having surgery (eye injury).”

Jordan Henderson is fit and available but James Milner is not after suffering concussion. Naby Keita, Joel Matip, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo all remain out.

Predicted line-ups

Tottenham: Lloris; Dier, Lenglet, Davies; Emerson Royal, Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Sessegnon; Kane, Lucas Moura.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson; Firmino, Salah, Darwin Nunez.

The 2pm kick offs have all reached half-time with some surprising scores.

Aston Villa are leading 2-1 against Manchester United with Newcastle 1-0 up versus Southampton. Miguel Almiron gets himself on the scoresheet once again for his fourth Premier League goal in four matches.

Elsewhere West Ham level with Crystal Palace after Wilfred Zaha cancelled out Said Benrahma’s opener.

Following the conclusion of these matches there’s another huge game in London as Tottenham host Liverpool in the 4.30pm kick off. Build up for that one starts around 3pm with team news expected not too long after that.

Arsenal stay up there, and show Chelsea the level required. This commanding 1-0 win was undeniably Mikel Arteta’s most significant win of the season so far, as well as another step forward, while a notable step back for Graham Potter.

Among a few key elements was the fact this was the first time there has been an away win in a meeting of the old “big six” this season, something that not even Manchester City have managed. It means Arsenal stay ahead of the champions ahead of the last week before the World Cup, and have given themselves the best possible chance of staying there for the month-long break.

While there remains this expectation that City will eventually streak and bring all their quality to bear, such a position also gives Arsenal the best possible chance of doing something special this season.

Arsenal produced a strong performance to beat a listless Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday, moving back to the top of the Premier League in the process.

The Gunners dominated the early exchanges without really testing Edouard Mendy - Gabriel Jesus missing a good chance from close range in the biggest opportunity of the half.

It was fairly dismal throughout from the hosts, who lacked any conviction in build-up play or threat on goal all game, and Graham Potter will know he faces a big task to find the right formula after the World Cup if the Blues’ season isn’t to fizzle out quickly.

The winning goal came from Gabriel Magalhaes just past the hour mark, prodding in from close range after a corner was missed by everybody - and there was simply no response from Chelsea in search of an equalier.

Here are the player ratings from Stamford Bridge on Sunday:

Very positive signs for Arsenal.

Gabriel has scored nine goals from corner situations in the Premier League, the most of any player in the competition since he joined prior to the 2020/21 campaign.

He’s one above Tottenham’s Harry Kane who has eight.

Gabriel’s tap in from a Bukayo Saka corner was the difference between the sides today. It gives Arsenal a significant win to put them back ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League table.