Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal: 4 massive positives from top four revival

3. An Arsenal Striker Scored a Goal

Hopefully Lacazette enjoyed his seat on the bench because there is no way he is getting up off it when Manchester United head to the Emirates on Saturday. Not a chance.

Having netted just 12 goals in the 11 matches since losing to Manchester City on New Years’ Day, the very real problem facing this team has been one of productivity. There have been chances, just not the requisite number of goals to go with them.

Scoring just two from the previous 73 shots on target – one of which was hugely deflected – prior to Wednesday night, coming away from Stamford Bridge with four on the scoreboard is much more than a welcome relief. It is a potential solution.

Nketiah was magnificent on the night beyond just running channels and keeping a cool head in front of goal, and now Arsenal have something to cling onto for the rest of the campaign. Those who’ve watched Nketiah’s career will know he could easily produce a 4/10 next match, but at least Arsenal know he can also come up with a 9/10. That’s not the solution, but it is a solution.

A pretty fine one, too.

Of course, this was a very different game to the previous three. Arsenal had less of the ball, and this gives them the platform to play through teams, which is when they’re at their finest.

This is transitional team with technical craft and speed in dangerous areas. Chelsea and their dreadful back three helped play into Arsenal’s hands. Nobody is dispelling that.

But purely for confidence’s sake, it’s three points in the bag, three goals from open play scored and one striker leaving with two to his name. A near enough perfect night.

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