In-form Leandro Trossard fired in a fourth-minute opener to give Arsenal the lead at home to Chelsea and put the Gunners on track for a four-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
England midfielder Declan Rice entered the Chelsea penalty area and sent Trossard away from full Premier League debutant Alfie Gilchrist on the left, allowing the Belgium international a chance to score his third goal in four appearances from a tight angle.
“What a start,” former Scotland striker Ally McCoist told TNT Sports. “It’s all about the aggression from Declan Rice with his piercing run.
“He puts Alfie Gilchrist under all sorts of pressure and the weight of the pass and the take from Trossard is fantastic. Touch, finish – great goal, all round.”
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McCoist was significantly less impressed with Chelsea goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic as the Blues ensured they would go a 13th league away game without a clean sheet.
“Defensively, the goalkeeper has to do better,” said McCoist. “Without doubt, he can’t get beaten at the near post.
“Trossard fires it down at his feet – there’s no way he should get beaten there, he’s got to cover that post. Petrovic should be saving that.”
Leandro Trossard gives Arsenal the lead inside 5 minutes! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DGQ8Vr9owa
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 23, 2024
Trossard goal v Chelsea: Two in a row
Forward Trossard also opened the scoring in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday to return to the summit.
Arsenal took a 45th-minute lead at Molineux, with Martin Odegaard adding a 95th-minute second.
City did not play at the weekend because they were in FA Cup semi-final action against Chelsea at Wembley, winning 1-0.
The reigning champions will be hoping the Blues recover to deny Arsenal victory and put the destiny of the title even more firmly in City’s hands.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who next play when they visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, will have two games in hand on Arsenal once the match at Emirates Stadium is over.
