Havertz scores 2 as Arsenal rout Chelsea 5-0 to cement Premier League lead

Kai Havertz scored twice against his former team and Ben White also got a brace as Arsenal brushed aside a dismal Chelsea side 5-0 on Tuesday for its biggest league win over its London rival.

The win ensures Arsenal will go into the weekend atop the Premier League standings, lifting it three points ahead of Liverpool ahead of Wednesday's Merseyside derby at Everton. Man City is four points back before it plays at Brighton on Thursday, with another game in hand.

For Chelsea, it was another dispiriting loss after a 1-0 defeat to Man City in the FA Cup semifinals on Saturday that ended any hope of finishing a disappointing season on a high note.

Chelsea's leading scorer Cole Palmer was absent with an injury but the manner of the team's second-half collapse will only renew questions about what progress — if any — the expensively assembled team has made in its first season under Mauricio Pochettino.

Arsenal's previous biggest league win over Chelsea was 5-1 in 1930.

Leandro Trossard put Arsenal ahead in just the fourth minute by beating Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic at his near post from a tight angle. Petrovic made amends by single-handedly keeping his team in the game with a handful of good saves until the floodgates opened in the second half as visitors' resistance melted away.

White swept home the second in the 52nd and Havertz added the third just five minutes later with a well-taken goal after being teed up by a perfect throughball from Martin Odegaard.

The Germany international, who made an expensive move to

Arsenal from Chelsea last summer, got another one in the 65th with a shot from the middle of the area, and White added to the rout with a fortunate second goal when his attempt at a volleyed cross sailed into the net in the 70th.

Pochettino responded by bringing on center back Thiago Silva to prevent the scoreline from getting even bigger.

Arsenal and Man City 'set to fight for the signing of £100m-rated Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes'

Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly set to fight for the signing of Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes this summer.

The Brazilian is believed to have a release clause in the region of £100million, though interested clubs may strike a deal for a lower fee.

Magpies chief executive Darren Eales revealed earlier this year that the club may be forced to sell one of their key players in order to comply with Premier league profit and sustainability rules.

According to The Telegraph, this resulted in Arsenal registering their interest in striker Alexander Isak but they are now looking to swoop for Guimaraes as well.

However, Premier League title rivals Man City are also keen on the 26-year-old, who has been a leading light for Eddie Howe's side since his 2022 signing from Lyon.

The report goes onto to say that Guimaraes is aware of the interest from the two clubs, the central midfielder has also been linked to French champions PSG.

Mikel Arteta prevailed in a battle with his old boss Pep Guardiola for the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham last summer.

‘I signed for the club and am happy for the club, we never know what is going to happen but for my part I am happy in the club,’ Guimaraes told a press conference ahead of the Brazil's clash against England at Wembley last month.

‘We are disappointed about the season but we still have a chance to finish at least seventh and finish in the Europa League or Conference League to put the club in Europe again.

‘About the club staff, I cannot speak too much. I don't know what is going to happen in the future but I am so grateful for Newcastle and happy for the club.’

Newcastle enjoyed phenomenal success last season to finish in the top four and reach the Carabao Cup final – but it’s come at a cost.