Arsenal reignited their bid for a top-four finish by stunning Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Eddie Nketiah scoring twice against a shaky Blues defence.
Nketiah capitalised on a defensive error to give the visitors the lead, reopening the debate over his Arsenal future in the process. However, Timo Werner delivered a quickfire equaliser - albeit via a big deflection - after a loose pass from the Gunners striker gave possession to the Blues.
The hosts weren't level for all that long, though, with Emile Smith Rowe restoring Arsenal's lead with an smart finish which caught out Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea goal. Still, not to be outdone, Chelsea made it 2-2 within minutes through Cesar Azpilicueta.
The topsy-turvy game continued along the same path after the break, with Nketiah putting his team ahead for a third time after some sloppy Chelsea defending. The Gunners had chances to extend the lead, with some decision-making in the final third letting them down, but Bukayo Saka eventually made the points safe from the penalty spot to keep Arsenal very much in the mix for fourth.
Nketiah takes his chance
With Alexandre Lacazette not fit to start after a recent bout of Covid, Eddie Nketiah was handed another chance in attack. The striker's future remains up in the air, with his contract up in the summer, but all he can do is take the opportunities when they arise.
Even when given the chance to impress in the league this term, Nketiah has rarely been at the races. However, when Andreas Christensen left a pass short with the scores level, he never looked like missing.
Before kick-off, pundit Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink questioned whether the striker does enough outside the box, and there were moments where it felt like he was trying to disprove that particular argument. It's hard to fault his persistence, though, and plenty would have given up on the half-chance which presented itself early in the second period.
At this stage of the season, cool heads and big moments are key. In west London, Nketiah came up trumps not once but twice.
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Arsenal's defensive shift
It's no secret that Arsenal have suffered from the loss of Kieran Tierney and, before him, Takehiro Tomiyasu. The first-choice full-backs played their part in some of Arsenal's best performances, and their understudies - through no fault of their own - simply aren't at the same level.
Mikel Arteta has taken a number of different approaches in an effort to find a solution. Against Chelsea, he attempted to mirror his opponents by starting with three centre-backs, bringing in Rob Holding for Cedric.
However, within the opening 15 minutes, it had become a four again with Ben White and Nuno Tavares as lopsided full-backs. It seemed to work, though - especially when the recalled Mohamed Elneny was able to drop back and lend support to the central defenders - and whether a pre-planned decision or an adaptation, Arteta showed his flexibility.
Is Lukaku's time up?
When Romelu Lukaku starred against Arsenal in the reverse fixture, he looked like he would be able to do no wrong in a Chelsea shirt. That hasn't proven to be the case, of course, and it felt as though the familiar opposition might be able to help the Belgian remember happier times.
There was a moment early on when the record signing got the ball in the inside-right channel before driving past Granit Xhaka only to screw his shot across the face of goal. It might not have come off as planned, but there are games this season when he wouldn't have even got the shot away.
That didn't seem to be enough, though, as Lukaku only lasted an hour before making way for Kai Havertz. There were reports of boos from sections of the crowd, and it will be a real ask for him to shake off the further frustrations if and when he gets another chance from the get-go.
Chelsea missing Rudiger
If Antonio Rudiger does indeed leave Chelsea in the summer, he could well be sorely missed. A back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Malang Sarr didn't look especially convincing as Arsenal created plenty even when not converting every chance.
Christensen was withdrawn at the break, but replacement Thiago Silva hardly promises long-term security at the age of 37, regardless of his quality. Arsenal's third goal was a prime example of Chelsea's defensive issues, with a lack of communication and coordination allowing Nketiah to steal in.
Chelsea have conceded more goals in their last three league games than in their first 14. On that evidence, something will need to change in a big way over the summer.
Top four
If Arsenal fail to finish in the top four, those three defeats against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton will hurt. However, they like to do things the hard way, and so it proved with their win at Chelsea in desperate circumstances.
The derby laid bare Arsenal's thin squad, though. Tavares wouldn't usually be called upon to start this kind of game, while Mohamed Elneny - starting a club game for the first time in 2022 - wouldn't be called upon to start any league outing with everyone fit.
Arsenal's lack of depth has threatened to derail an otherwise impressive season, with some January exits thinning the squad even further. The challenge now is for those who have been playing at their limits for so long to find one more gear in the final weeks.
