Arsenal sent a message to the rest of the Premier League on Sunday that will force them to sit up and take notice of Mikel Arteta's side. Victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge returned them to the top of the table and made it three consecutive wins in west London for the first time since 1974.
The Gunners were the better side against their London rivals and could have won by more. Gabriel's close-range finish in the 63rd minute was enough after he pounced to turn Bukayo Saka's corner home in front of the travelling supporters.
Chelsea struggled throughout the afternoon on Sunday and ex-Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was denied his dream moment after failing to make an impact against his former side. Graham Potter's side managed only five shots compared to Arsenal's 14 throughout the contest, stretching their winless run to four games.
READ MORE: Arsenal break unwanted 10-year Premier League record following impressive victory over Chelsea
football.london takes a look at how the national media reacted to Arsenal's vital victory over Chelsea.
BBC Sport
Michael Emons writes: "For Arsenal, this was a chance to show their title credentials as they look to become English champions for the 14th time - but the first since 2003-04 when their 'Invincibles' went through an entire league campaign without losing.
"The Gunners, without a top-four finish since 2016, have beaten Tottenham and Liverpool at home this season, although they tamely lost 3-1 at Manchester United in September. But they started brightly at Stamford Bridge as Gabriel headed wide inside the first two minutes.
"Ben White pulled a shot wide from 15 yards, Martinelli curled an effort over the top and Jesus had an effort superbly blocked by his Brazil team-mate Thiago Silva. However, Jesus should have done better with a diving header when free at the back post and found by Martinelli but could not hit the target from eight yards.
"But Jesus was involved in the build up to Arsenal's goal as he gained possession from Silva and shot at goal, with Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy sending it behind for a corner.
"England international Saka swung the ball in and no Chelsea defender could clear before Gabriel volleyed it in from only a couple of yards out for a massive three points for the Gunners."
The Mirror
John Cross writes: "Arsenal were much the better side during the contest and were more than deserving of their win as questions continue to be asked of Chelsea's current crop of stars. It was a match of few chances but Gabriel was on hand to hook the ball into the net from Bukayo Saka's corner to give the Gunners the edge they needed.
"From there they didn't look back, with Aubameyang replaced by Armando Broja moments later but Graham Potter's side failed to test Arsenal's back line.
"Arteta was clearly delighted with his team's performance in his post-match interview. 'For such a young team, the maturity, composure and resilience they showed was phenomenal,' he said. 'Winning in this stadium against this opponent is another step for this team, to keep believing they can do it under pressure and against big opponents.'
And Potter was forced to admit his side were beaten by the better side. 'We played against a team in a really good moment, they boys gave everything,' he told BT Sport. 'A huffing and puffing performance without the quality we need. You have to look at where the two teams are at, they’ve been playing together a long time. We’re in a different phase.'"
The Daily Mail
Martin Samuel writes: "Scrappy goal, scrappy game, scrappy three points. From an Arsenal perspective, though, who cares?
"The team everyone presumes will next year claim the Premier League title needed a 95th minute penalty to beat Fulham at home on Saturday so, in the circumstances, this was more than impressive. Chelsea haven’t lost a league game at Stamford Bridge since April 20 – Arsenal again – but they were significantly second best here.
"It is hard to recall a save Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made and while Edouard Mendy was hardly a busy boy at the other end, that was more due to a lack of accuracy on Arsenal’s part than a lack of dominance.
"So this was a solid Arsenal performance if not a spectacular one, against rivals with ambitions to be where Arteta’s side are now. There has certainly been a shift in the capital’s power structure in the first phase of this season, too.
"Gabriel Jesus should have scored with a header in the first-half, Thomas Partey with a header in the second and Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard both had chances to increase the lead after Arsenal had gone ahead, but shot over.
"This is the third consecutive time Arsenal and Arteta have won at Stamford Bridge, and the last run like that was enjoyed between October 1971 and April 1974 in the days of Bertie Mee. Not even in George Graham or Arsene Wenger’s prime did they ever enjoy such superiority in west London."
The Guardian
Dave Hytner writes: "One-nil to the Arsenal has not sounded as good to their supporters for some time. Or been as comprehensive. Mikel Arteta’s intense and cohesive team had wanted a statement victory, something to add a further layer of substance to their unlikely Premier League title challenge. How they got it.
"The goal was scrappy, a horror show for Graham Potter’s Chelsea, who never got into any kind of stride. They were not allowed to.
"William Saliba went to meet Bukayo Saka’s flat delivery from a right-sided corner kick and did not get there and then, in darkly comic fashion, neither did any of the three Chelsea players behind him – Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Thiago Silva. Gabriel Magalhães touched home on the line.
"There was much to admire about the Arsenal performance. They did not allow Chelsea the sniff of a clear chance; Potter’s team could have played all day and not scored. After the 4-1 mishap at Brighton last weekend, this was another humbling and there were boos from some home fans at full time.
"Arsenal dominated in midfield, where Thomas Partey excelled; it was him and his colleagues who won the challenges and found the room to play and, in Gabriel Jesus, they had a non-stop presence up front. His pressing was remorseless, his quick feet and directness a menace. All that was missing from him was a goal.
"Arsenal are on course to be the “winter champions”, as it is called in other parts of Europe, and if that line before the World Cup pause will invite jibes – stirring memories, perhaps, of Arsène Wenger and his “fourth place trophies” – it is quite the barometer of progress.
"On this evidence and that of the season so far, Arsenal must be considered as genuine title contenders, even if the assumption remains that City are just too good."
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