Chelsea vs. Arsenal score: Eddie Nketiah double delivers Gunners massive win at Stamford Bridge

An inspired performance from Mikel Arteta's team saw them earn three golden points

Eddie Nketiah scored his first two Premier League goals of the season on Wednesday and in the process guided Arsenal to three golden points as the Gunners defeated Chelsea, 4-2, at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Mikel Arteta's men and greatly boosted their chance of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

The Gunners coughed up a pair of one-goal leads in what was a wild four-goal first half, but Nketiah delivered the decider in the second half, poking home the winner in the 57th minute. Bukayo Saka added a late penalty kick to cement the final scoreline. 

Chelsea, fresh off of advancing to the FA Cup final, put together one of their worst defensive performances of the season, with careless mistake after careless mistake facilitating things for the visitors. 

Here's what to know:

Why Arsenal won

They were simple executed the game plan while Chelsea didn't. In defense, the Gunners pressed high and were fine with conceding possession, having just 32.7 percent of it. Arsenal forced Chelsea into numerous turnovers and intercepted the ball 15 times, the second most they've recorded all season. Chelsea scored one of their goals on a cross, but Arsenal managed to block three crosses in total, the most since September. 

With the ball, the Gunners were quick and efficient to get it out, with Saka having a heck of game down the right, making Chelsea's defense look foolish. He was often involved on the goals with quick cuts and slick passing. 

All in all, it was one of Arsenal's best performances of the season, and it's arguably their most important win.

Why Chelsea lost

Because they were sloppy. It was quite careless, really. They recorded their fifth-lowest xG of the season at 0.75 and were held to just two shots on goal -- their worst performance since a 1-0 loss to Manchester City on Jan. 15.

Romelu Lukaku got the start and could not produce a single shot on goal, no player outside of Mason Mount was able to create more than a chance, and had it not been for a fortunate Timo Werner goal, the scoreline could have looked much worse. 

The Blues' defense continues to look rattled, conceding multiple goals in four of their last six games. They only conceded multiple goals twice in the 24 games before that stretch, and that was against Liverpool in the league and Luton Town in the FA Cup.

Game-changing moment

It's the winning goal from Nketiah, which comes off of a terrible pass by Cesar Azpilicueta. The match was level at 2-2, and the English striker took a nice touch into the box, stuck with it and it paid off with this moment:

Man of the match

Nketiah. How could it not be? He hadn't scored in the league this season, but he comes in and delivers a surprising brace. The winner was about perseverance, sticking with the ball and getting a fortunate bounce before putting it was cleverly.

Expect him to get more minutes after his heroic display in this one.

What's next

Arsenal will play on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET against Manchester United. Chelsea host West Ham on Sunday at 9 a.m. ET.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:42 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

FT! Arsenal 4, Chelsea 2

A six-goal thriller! Nketiah delivers a double, and the Gunners earn a massive win to boost their UCL chances!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:36 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Arsenal! Saka!

The penalty is put home with class! And this London derby surely belongs to the Gunners!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:34 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Penalty! Arsenal earn a PK!

Azpilicueta takes down Saka, and it's an easy call. Penalty given!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:19 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

15 minutes to go

Most of the possession has been Chelsea's as of late, but they are running out of time to get something from this game as Cedric comes on. 

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:15 pm ET · James Benge]

Nketiah makes way for Martinelli

What a performance by the youngster with a point to prove. In an interview with the Beautiful Game podcast, released earlier this week, he had almost bemoaned how few starting opportunities he had got of late. He has certainly earned more over the coming weeks with tonight's performance. Bringing on Martinelli should offer even more threat on the counter, he's a demon in the press.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:06 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Video: Arsenal's third

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:04 pm ET · James Benge]

This game can't help itself

Even when someone defends well -- as Thiago Silva did with a magnificent sliding tackle -- it only sets the stage for more chaos. It is in situations like this that Nketiah thrives. It is a skill to be in a position to pounce on these sorts of opportunities. Nketiah has it.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 4:02 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Arsenal score!

Nketiah scores again! The ball pinballs in the box after a turnover by the Blues, and the young striker pokes it home! 3-2! 

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:33 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

All square at the break

Goodness me. 2-2 at the break in what's been a wild match. Neutrals will hope the second half will bring just as many goals.The Blues have rallied twice to draw even, and all three points remain up for grabs.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:32 pm ET · James Benge]

Brain-melting stuff

I don't know if this is good football but I can't take my eyes off it. Arteta looks like he's getting a stress headache from the highs and lows his team are reaching, coupled with some refereeing decisions he has been less than pleased with. He will know that the surprisingly serene Tuchel is just letting the chaos wash over him.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:23 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Video: Azpilicueta's equalizer

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:19 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

The goals keep coming!

Azpilicueta!!! 2-2!!! A great cross from Mount, and a slick finish by the captain draws the game level once again! Bonkers!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:17 pm ET · James Benge]

Arteta is fuming

I have never seen a manager 2-1 up against a great rival look so apoplectic. Arteta is in a thunderous mood, berating the linesman but most of all his own players. Their defence has been calamitous on occasion so you can see why he is so unhappy. He is in the fourth official's face as I write this now, just after Chelsea equalised.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:13 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Arsenal take the lead again!!!

27' The Gunners are back in front, and it's a perfect finish from Smith Rowe! On the counter, Saka connects with Odegaard, and he sets up Smith Rowe, who just passes the ball into the bottom right corner! What a goal!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:10 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Nearly a second for Arsenal!

Brilliant work down the right by Saka, getting by Alonso with some supreme skill before setting up Eddie Nketiah for a shot that is deflected and goes right by the post!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:08 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Video: Chelsea's equalizer

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:05 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Video: Arsenal's opener

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:05 pm ET · James Benge]

Arteta fumes

The Arsenal boss is really far from pleased with Saka, seemingly in relation to how much space Alonso is getting to receive the ball. For almost every stoppage of play in the last five minutes he has been shouting at his No.7, commanding him to adjust his position to keep the pressure up on the Chelsea left.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:03 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Chelsea level!

It's 1-1! Timo Werner with a lucky deflection at the corner of the box, and the ball somehow finds its way in! Level now! What a start to this match!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

GOAL GUNNERS!

What a start for the visitors! Eddie Nketiah finds the back of the net on a cool finish after an error by Christiansen! A calm finish at the top of the box, going to the bottom left while Mendy went the other way!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 2:52 pm ET · James Benge]

A fluid system from Arsenal

So we have our answer. Sort of... In those early passages of play Arsenal lined up in a back five with Saka clearly playing as the right wing back. Now that seems to have changed a little bit and I suspect it might be an approach they vary throughout the 90 minutes.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 2:50 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

3' Nearly the opener!

Off a corner the ball falls to Alonso in the box, but his shot is deflected by Xhaka and out for another corner. A decent look there!

[Apr 20, 2022 at 2:46 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Underway!

The match has started at Stamford Bridge! Arsenal look to press high early.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 2:33 pm ET · James Benge]

A back four for Arsenal?

It looks like that's how they'll line from the outset here. Certainly White has been going through drills as the right back in a back four whilst further forward Saka, who some of us thought might start at wing back, looks like he's preparing to be a winger. It'll be interesting to see to what extent they look to mirror Chelsea's system without the ball; last time out they were stretched apart by the width James and Alonso to devastating effect.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 2:25 pm ET · James Benge]

Lukaku returns

A first start in the Premier League for Lukaku since his horror show against Crystal Palace, a game where he set a record for the fewest touches in 90 minutes of a top flight match (seven). His presence reflects a fair bit of rotation from Tuchel, who also hands starts to Malang Sarr and Marcos Alonso. That seems an approach based around a squad that have gone through a lot of hard yards in recent weeks where a few key players -- Jorginho, Havertz and Thiago Silva for instance -- need a rest.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 2:15 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

30 minutes till kickoff

Just a half an hour to go until action is underway at Stamford Bridge. A massive game for both with plenty on the line. The Blues may be in third place comfortably, but a loss here would tighten things for the final stretch of the campaign. A win for the Gunners gets them closer to Champions League qualification, while a loss will make Saturday's game against Manchester United even more crucial.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 2:00 pm ET · James Benge]

Arteta rings the changes again

Off three straight defeats it's no surprise to see a different Arsenal side. What is that he has brought in Mohamed Elneny for his first club minutes of any kind since New Year's Day. He has started one Premier League game this season, a defeat to Manchester United, and aside from the EFL Cup has been largely fourth choice midfielder. However Albert Sambi Lokonga seems to no longer have the trust of his manager -- you could say the same of Lacazette, Martinelli and Pepe -- and so there's yet more changes.

[Apr 20, 2022 at 1:53 pm ET · James Benge]

Confirmed teams

Chelsea XI : Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Sarr; James, Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Lukaku, Werner
Subs: Kepa, Jorginho, Silva, Pulisic, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Havertz

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares; Xhaka, Elneny; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Nketiah
Subs: Leno, Lacazette, Cedric, Pepe, Sambi Lokonga, Martinelli, Azeez, Swanson, Hutchinson

[Apr 20, 2022 at 1:45 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

¡Qué Golazo! on Arsenal 

Scoring goals has become a problem for Arsenal in recent weeks. The same can't be said about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has already reached double figures since joining Barcelona. Was it premature to get rid of the Gabonese striker?