Premier League Regular Season - 28

Arsenal 2 - 1 FT Chelsea

Emirates Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
53
FT
Sun, Mar 1
Arsenal
2-1
Chelsea
⚡ Intensity 64
⚖️ Balance 27
🏆 Stakes 0
🎲 Upset 0
Gunners stay clear at the summit.

Gunners Grind Out Vital Derby Victory

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 53/100. This 2-1 result keeps Arsenal's title charge on track while exposing Chelsea's lack of discipline in a high-stakes London affair.

The Early Breakthrough

The atmosphere at Emirates Stadium was electric as Arsenal sought to consolidate their lead at the top of the table. A high Intensity rating was established early on, with the Gunners applying heavy pressure through set-pieces. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when W. Saliba rose highest to meet a delivery from Gabriel, powering a header past Robert Sánchez. Despite Chelsea controlling possession with 59%, they struggled to turn their territorial dominance into clear-cut chances. A barrage of 15 corners throughout the match kept the defenders on high alert, but it was the hosts who looked more clinical in the opening exchanges.

Twists and Turnarounds

Just as the first half seemed to be winding down in Arsenal's favour, the Balance shifted through a moment of pure misfortune. In stoppage time, a cross from R. James caused chaos in the box, leading to an own goal by P. Hincapie. It was a sucker punch that breathed life into the visitors. However, Mikel Arteta's side regained their composure after the break. In the 66th minute, D. Rice turned provider, sliding a perfectly weighted pass for J. Timber to restore the lead. The Emirates erupted as the full-back's clinical finish capped off a period of sustained pressure, leaving the Blues chasing shadows once again.

The Final Stand

The Stakes reached a boiling point in the final twenty minutes. Any hopes of a Chelsea comeback were severely dented when P. Neto was shown a straight red card for a reckless trip in the 70th minute. Down to ten men, the visitors struggled to mount a cohesive offensive, though they continued to threaten from corners. David Raya proved his worth between the sticks, making 4 crucial saves to deny the Blues an equaliser. The victory cements Arsenal’s position at the top of the Premier League, while Chelsea will rue their missed opportunities and disciplinary lapse. It was a match defined by narrow margins and high-pressure moments in North London.

Key Questions

How did the red card for P. Neto impact the match?

The dismissal killed Chelsea's momentum at a crucial time, preventing them from mounting a sustained late attack to equalise.

Did the derby intensity affect the quality of play?

Yes, the high intensity led to 15 corners and several cards, making it a gritty physical battle rather than a fluid tactical display.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
41%
59%
Arsenal 41%
Chelsea 59%
Shots
12
9
Arsenal 12
Chelsea 9
Shots on Target
5
3
Arsenal 5
Chelsea 3
Expected Goals (xG)
1.13
1.05
Arsenal 1.13
Chelsea 1.05
Passes
338
476
Arsenal 338
Chelsea 476
Pass Accuracy
82%
88%
Arsenal 82%
Chelsea 88%
Corners
5
10
Arsenal 5
Chelsea 10
Fouls
11
14
Arsenal 11
Chelsea 14
Yellow Cards
1
5
Arsenal 1
Chelsea 5
Red Cards
0
1
Arsenal 0
Chelsea 1

Match Events

21' W. Saliba (Gabriel)
P. Hincapie (R. James) 45'+2
HT
55' 🔄 L. Trossard G. Martinelli
C. Palmer 🟨 59'
J. Hato 🟨 65'
66' J. Timber (D. Rice)
P. Neto 🟨 67'
P. Neto 🟨 70'
P. Neto 🟥 70'
75' 🟨 Gabriel
Andrey Santos R. Lavia 🔄 75'
J. Hato M. Gusto 🔄 75'
76' 🔄 V. Gyokeres K. Havertz
76' 🔄 D. Rice C. Norgaard
E. Fernandez 🟨 79'
E. Fernandez L. Delap 🔄 86'
C. Palmer A. Garnacho 🔄 86'
M. Sarr T. Adarabioyo 🔄 90'
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Arsenal

Goalkeepers
David Raya
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Jurriën Timber
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
William Saliba
SNIPER
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Gabriel Magalhães
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
60%
Duel Win %
Piero Hincapié
FRIENDLY FIRE
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
2
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Midfielders
Martín Zubimendi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
97
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Declan Rice
PROVIDER
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.9
Rating
Bukayo Saka
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
5
Key Passes
5
Key Passes
0
Assists
16%
Pass Acc
Eberechi Eze
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Leandro Trossard
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
56
Total Mins
55
Entry
Forwards
Viktor Gyökeres
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
BENCH
Kepa Arrizabalaga
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Cristhian Mosquera
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Riccardo Calafiori
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Myles Lewis-Skelly
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christian Nørgaard
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noni Madueke
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Jesus
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Martinelli
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
41
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kai Havertz
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Chelsea

Goalkeepers
Robert Sánchez
MAGNET
MAGNET
53
Activity
53
Activity
51
Passes
2
Duels
Defenders
Reece James
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
50%
Pass Acc
Trevoh Chalobah
MAGNET
MAGNET
82
Activity
82
Activity
79
Passes
3
Duels
Mamadou Sarr
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Jorrel Hato
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Midfielders
Moisés Caicedo
MAGNET
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
57
Passes
15
Duels
Andrey Santos
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Enzo Fernández
NPC
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
32%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Forwards
Pedro Neto
FRIENDLY FIRE
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.3
Rating
João Pedro
MAGNET
MAGNET
44
Activity
44
Activity
22
Passes
22
Duels
Cole Palmer
NPC
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
23%
Pass Acc
6.2
Rating
BENCH
Filip Jørgensen
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Josh Acheampong
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tosin Adarabioyo
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Benoît Badiashile
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Malo Gusto
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Roméo Lavia
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alejandro Garnacho
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Liam Delap
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marc Guiu
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
03/02/2026 Arsenal 1 - 0 Chelsea League Cup Emirates Stadium
14/01/2026 Chelsea 2 - 3 Arsenal League Cup Stamford Bridge
30/11/2025 Chelsea 1 - 1 Arsenal Premier League Stamford Bridge
16/03/2025 Arsenal 1 - 0 Chelsea Premier League Emirates Stadium
10/11/2024 Chelsea 1 - 1 Arsenal Premier League Stamford Bridge
23/04/2024 Arsenal 5 - 0 Chelsea Premier League Emirates Stadium
21/10/2023 Chelsea 2 - 2 Arsenal Premier League Stamford Bridge
02/05/2023 Arsenal 3 - 1 Chelsea Premier League Emirates Stadium
06/11/2022 Chelsea 0 - 1 Arsenal Premier League Stamford Bridge
24/07/2022 Arsenal 4 - 0 Chelsea Friendlies Clubs
03/02/2026
League Cup Emirates Stadium
14/01/2026
League Cup Stamford Bridge
30/11/2025
Premier League Stamford Bridge
16/03/2025
Premier League Emirates Stadium
10/11/2024
Premier League Stamford Bridge
23/04/2024
Premier League Emirates Stadium
21/10/2023
Premier League Stamford Bridge
02/05/2023
Premier League Emirates Stadium
06/11/2022
Premier League Stamford Bridge
24/07/2022
Friendlies Clubs
Arsenal Win
Chelsea Win
Draw