Arsenal

Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy has called for Declan Rice to be played a more advanced role to further improve Arsenal.

A graphic from Wednesday's Match of the Day highlighted Rice's improvements in the final third since making the switch from West Ham last summer.

"Rice is growing in the more forward role he sometimes plays," said Murphy. "He's got this wonderful athleticism when he carries the ball and that commits defenders to give other players space.

"[Enzo] Fernandez and [Moises] Caicedo - two gifted midfielders - couldn't cope with him. They couldn't get near him [in Tuesday's victory against Chelsea].

"When you free him up to go and press higher, that makes Arsenal a better team for me. He's one of the best in the Premier League at closing people down when freed from that holding role.

"I think if he plays in this role more often, which I think he will as his Arsenal career progresses, we'll start seeing him reach double figures for goals. He's got all the qualities to score more.

"Granted he's playing with better players [compared to West Ham], but those numbers will go through the roof if he plays that role more consistently."

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas says Kai Havertz's "simple" way of playing is "what makes him good".

The Gunners' forward, who moved to Emirates Stadium from the Blues in the summer, scored twice against his old side in their 5-0 win on Tuesday night.

Havertz has had to be flexible in his first season under Mikel Arteta, operating in different positions up front and in midfield.

Speaking on the Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas said: "I don't like to talk about me but he reminds me a little bit of me in Barcelona because I used to play these two roles that he plays - as a false nine and the number eight.

"I know exactly what it feels like and it's good because he feels now [that he is] an important player for the team. But at the same time, you don't really know where you're going to play the next game so it can confuse you. It's better sometimes to just stick to one place and get the best out of it.

"Now [Thomas] Partey's back, then [Declan] Rice will go a little bit as a number eight more often. So from now on it will be the number nine spot and I think it suits him very well for the way Arsenal want to play."

After a slow start, the German international has found good form having now scored seven goals and made four assists in his past 10 Premier League games.

"I really like [him playing up front] because he has very, very good link up play," continued Fabregas. "He attacks in spaces, he can score goals and he has good timing of his runs. He plays simple, he doesn't try to make too many tricks or difficult things. He does what he has to do.

"He's very simple in that, very basic, and that's what makes him good. He's scoring loads of goals, important goals. The fans seem to like him as well, so he's a big plus for Arsenal this year."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

It is "very important" for Arsenal to keep themselves in contention for the Premier League until the end, says former midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Gunners put themselves back on top of the table on Tuesday night with a thumping 5-0 win over London rivals Chelsea.

While Manchester City can leapfrog them again if they win their two games in hand, starting at Brighton on Thursday, back-to-back victories mean Arsenal seem to have put their recent blip behind them.

Having lost their lead in the title race at this stage last season, Fabregas feels Mikel Arteta's side are in a better place this time around.

"One of the big positives is that last year Arsenal struggled at this moment in time and they let it go [whether it was] for maturity, for inexperience, for football, for whatever you want," he said on the Planet Premier League podcast.

"But this year, they are there and there's a few games to go.

"You see that something is different. That the fans, that the players and the club believe. The people outside as well believe, even if they are not Arsenal fans or they see potentially that Arsenal can do something special this year - that's the most important.

"The players understand that this is a unique moment and they will not let it go [and will] go after Man City, who can be better because if they win all their games they will be champions.

"To be there at least until the end is very, very important for Arsenal this year."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Wednesday night's four Premier League fixtures as well as the goals from Tuesday's game.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Arsenal are being linked with a move for 28-year-old Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United also interested in the Frenchman. (L'Equipe - in French), external

Finally, the Gunners are prepared to accept offers of £20-25m for 30-year-old Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, and are still interested in 25-year-old Aston Villa and Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz as a replacement. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

We asked you for your views on Arsenal's 5-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Here are a selection of your responses:

Arsenal fans

Peter: Excellent performance. Arsenal may well be the best team in the Premier League, but still may not win it. Either way it is a step forward for Mikel Arteta and his talented young team.

Robert: Looking at this game must send out a message to Liverpool and Man City. An all-round performance by everyone shows Arsenal are in a better place mentally than last year. They have grown and taking this momentum into the derby against Spurs only benefits the Arsenal.

Neal: Flattering scoreline but we should have secured a second goal very early on while Chelsea were in disarray. Worrying period towards end of the first half where Chelsea almost nicked a goal on the counter-attack. Had they scored I feel the game would have been very different, however, once we scored again in the second half they crumbled.

Ian: Arsenal were superb. Chelsea were lucky to only lose by five goals as it could have been a lot more. If they don't win the title this year, its is Arsenal in 2025.

Chelsea fans

Andy: A shockingly embarrassing performance. What on earth was Pochettino thinking with that line up? Changing three of the defence away to Arsenal - no surprise they were all over the place. Enzo and Caicedo so poor and average compared to the excellent Rice and Odegaard. This is the worst Chelsea squad I can remember. They are not fit to wear the shirt.

Diane: There was a young lad holding a sign that said 'I don't want your shirt. I want you to fight for yours'. That out of the mouths of babes just sums up the whole game. Well done young man.

John: Toothless, gutless performance. I'm struggling to find any sort of positive from this performance. We are mid-table at best with no sign of any of these players being capable of a consistent team performance.

Rob: Picking those two centre-backs after a good performances by Silva and Chalobah was criminal and playing a young player alongside them was setting him up to fail. Third choices (if everyone fit) across entire back four and we wonder why we fail. Enzo and Gallagher way off the pace. Mismanagement on a grand scale.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was lavish in his praise of Kai Havertz as the former Chelsea forward played a central role in the demolition of his old club at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Havertz struggled to establish a role in Arsenal's team at the start of the season following his £65m switch from Stamford Bridge but two goals in The Gunners' 5-0 win confirmed he is now firmly at home in north London.

Arteta said: "Kai's overall contribution in every phase of play was tremendous. When you add the two goals he scored and some of the link-up play that he had in big moments, it was a great performance.”

It made it just about the perfect night for Arsenal as they applied pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title pursuit ahead of their potentially testing games at Everton and Brighton, giving them a three-point lead and a vastly superior goal difference.

Arsenal's victory also continued an impressive response to the league defeat at home to Aston Villa and the Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich.

It provides the perfect platform for Sunday's crunch north London derby meeting at Tottenham Hotspur.

Image source, PA Media

Fans of Arsenal and Chelsea have been reacting to the Gunners' 5-0 Premier League victory on Tuesday on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

Arsenal fan Pippa Monique: "We're still in there [the title race] and if Manchester City do drop points, that goal difference is going to be crucial.

"They gave us a performance to remember.

"It feels good to be top of the league but I can't get carried away, I remember how I felt last season when it all slipped away."

Chelsea supporter Teema Nicholls: "It was disgraceful, from the manager to the players. The lack of effort, the lack of tactical preparation - it was completely disgraceful.

"I just think he [Mauricio Pochettino] lacks accountability. He prepares these players to go out on the pitch to put in a performance like that. Where is he talking about what he has done to prepare the players? The players are soft, but that comes from the very top, that comes from the manager downwards.

"He needs to have a lot more accountability for his input into what's happened, not only on Tuesday but across the season."

Hear more on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised an "unbelievable" performance from forward Kai Havertz, who scored twice against his former club Chelsea in Tuesday's 5-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.

"He was unbelievable, in all departments," said Arteta. "For a nine to score two goals the way he scored, his contribution was great. I'm sure he’s very pleased."

The win moved Arsenal three points clear at the top of the table, although they have played a game more than second-placed Liverpool and two more than Manchester City, who are one point further back.

Arteta added: "It was a big performance, collectively and individually. I thought we were really good, against a really good team that was in great form and were going to ask us a lot of questions. I think we responded really well.

"From the start we were really determined, really flowing, playing with a lot of courage and making things happen. I'm really happy with the result. It's a big day for our supporters.

"It's great for us, for the confidence and for the belief that we can do it, we can come to these stages against big teams and win games the way we've done it. So enjoy it, then it's back to work on Wednesday because we have a big one on Sunday [against Tottenham]."

Image source, PA Media

Martin Odegaard produced an "electric" performance in Arsenal's 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea on Tuesday, says former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen.

The Gunners moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League table with their victory, and while Odegaard did not score himself, he set up goals for Kai Havertz and Ben White.

"They've just taken care of business with a real style and swagger about it," Christiansen told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Odegaard was absolutely electric once again, the way he dictates the midfield and his positioning completely makes things tick for Arsenal.

"They were back to their best and they're so good when they score early, it eliminates any type pressure and they start to grow into the game. They've done what they needed to do to keep the pressure up."

Former England goalkeeper Rob Green also praised the Norway international, adding: "He's a key man for them and it's noticeable that when he plays well, on and off the ball, they play so well.

"[As an opposition] you have your team meetings before the game and you say 'this is the man to stop, do not give him space or time'. Chelsea were willingly letting him have that space in the second half. Arsenal had a party and really turned it on, and Odegaard in particular."

Listen to more reaction on BBC Sounds

Arsenal and Manchester City are considering a summer move for Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 26. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is close to taking up his first managerial post, after holding talks with Dutch top-flight club Heerenveen. (Algemeen Dagblad - in Dutch), external

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 37, will sign a contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC and will join them on a free transfer in the summer when his AC Milan deal comes to an end. (RMC Sport - in French), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports: "Very happy with the win, with the amount of chances and goals we scored. And with the clean sheet as well it shows the consistency.

"We weren't disciplined enough with some stuff we did in the first half and we needed to be more disciplined and we did that in the second half."

On Martin Odegaard: "We agreed that he was a player with huge talent and he could grow with us. We were convinced he could add something special to the team.

"That's always a question - How are you going to handle a different role [as captain]? He has done it so naturally and he is loved by everyone. With the love that he has, it is enough for everyone to wan to follow him."

On impact this win can have: "It is a big London derby and we know what it means for the fans. We will enjoy it and rest and get ready for the next one.

"What I would like is that the players can manage themselves in the dressing room. You have to leave them some space. They know what they are playing for. That's what holds the team together. My role is to demand of them and also in the right moments make them believe they can do it.

"We have a lot of games coming up. Let's enjoy tonight and let's go back to work."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal goalscorer Ben White speaking to TNT Sports: "We know we can score goals and today it was a quick game and it was important to put the ball away when we had the chance."

On if he meant his second goal: "I don't know. I'll let everyone else decide!"

On Arsenal's resilience: "It's not just the defence keeping the clean sheets, the wingers track back as well."

Leandro Trossard speaking to TNT Sports: "I think the early goal helped us and after that we played so well. We had a lot of chances and we turned them into goals. It's a great night.

"They say clean sheets help you win games. We know if we score the goal we can win 1-0. But, obviously, we want to go for more. Today is the perfect night. I think everyone works so well and hard. I am really happy to be here."

On the title race: "We can only do our own job and that's winning games. We are on track now and we will try and win the rest of the games and we will see what happens."

Here are the key facts and figures from Arsenal's home win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday.

• Arsenal recorded their biggest ever victory against Chelsea across all competitions (5-0), while this was the Blues' heaviest defeat in a London derby since losing 6-0 to Queens Park Rangers in March 1986.

• The Gunners have won three London derbies in league this season by five or more goals (5-0 v Crystal Palace, 6-0 v West Ham and 5-0 v Chelsea), the most such victories in a single campaign by a team in English league history.

• Chelsea have conceded 57 goals in the Premier League this season - their most in a single campaign in the competition (overtaking their 55 from the 1994-95 and 1996-97 seasons).

• Arsenal had 13 shots in the first half and 14 in the second half against Chelsea (27 in total) – indeed, these are now their two highest shot totals in a half of football against them on record in the Premier League (since 2003-04).

• Kai Havertz became the first player to score a brace against Chelsea in the Premier League having previously played for them in the competition.

• The Blues' starting XI in this game had an average age of 23 years and 169 days - their youngest ever for a Premier League match against Arsenal. In fact, only Leeds United in 1999-2000 (10) have named more starting XI's with an average age under 24 in a Premier League campaign than Chelsea this term (seven).

Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League and made a potentially significant improvement to their goal difference with a crushing victory over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners backed up their win at Wolverhampton Wanderers with an emphatic performance helped by a dreadful display from a Chelsea side who looked like they wanted the season to end now after their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City.

Arsenal suffered last week with a home Premier League defeat by Aston Villa and a Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich but the manner of this win demonstrated the title momentum is now back with Mikel Arteta's team.

Leandro Trossard settled any early nerves when he beat Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic at his near post and while the visitors occasionally threatened in the first half, Nicolas Jackson missing a clear headed chance, Arsenal simply ran riot after the break.

The second goal Arsenal craved came as Ben White turned in after Chelsea failed to clear a corner before former Stamford Bridge forward Kai Havertz struck twice in eight minutes, the second a quite sumptuous finish from Martin Odegaard's magnificent pass.

As Chelsea subsided in embarrassing fashion, White looped his second over Petrovic. It pushed their goal difference up to +56 - 13 better than Liverpool's and 12 ahead of Manchester City - on what was pretty much the perfect night for Arsenal.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Arsenal fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Chelsea fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

The team news for the Premier League game between Arsenal and Chelsea is in, with less than an hour to go until kick-off at Emirates Stadium.

Follow all the build-up and live text updates of the match here

Arsenal’s progress this season is clear, even if they again fall short up against the behemoth that is Manchester City.

The Gunners were controlled and convincing in their 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday, and made it six Premier League away games in a row without conceding a goal.

This defensive record is achieved through brilliant defending from the front but standing at the base is David Raya, a summer signing to which many raised their eyebrows.

Raya's performance against Wolves epitomised his qualities and highlighted the edge he has on Aaron Ramsdale in that role.

The Spaniard was very calm in possession and completed 30 passes at a 76.7% success rate (14.3% higher than Ramsdale's average last season).

He also claimed several crosses and high balls in the box.

Both of these qualities bring a calm to the Arsenal backline and relieve pressure.

He has not been perfect, but it has become clear to most now that Raya has been an upgrade.

With Arsenal’s attack slightly stuttering, particularly in games they have failed to win, it will be Raya and the rest of the defence that could keep Arsenal in this title race.

Oli Price-Bates can be found at The Fresh Arsenal podcast, external