If the Premier League scriptwriters really wanted more Arsenal drama, then having them race into a 2-0 lead in a must-win game was the perfect storyline.
Unlike against Liverpool and West Ham United last month, this story had the ideal ending for the Gunners as they recorded a comfortable win over Chelsea to keep their title hopes alive. However, is it a case of the performance and result ultimately proving too little too late?
From leading the way after the international break, a run of three draws in a row and that 4-1 hammering at the hands of Manchester City last week had seen them relinquish control in the Premier League title race and they started the game on Tuesday night sitting second in the table.
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It felt like something had to change and to Mikel Arteta's credit, he made three massive calls. Out went Thomas Partey as he was replaced by Jorginho in the Arsenal starting line-up, Leandro Trossard was handed a recall in place of leading scorer Gabriel Martinelli and the other decision was rather significant.
Rob Holding has struggled deputising for the injured William Saliba of late and after being part of a back-line that had conceded 11 goals in four games he was replaced by January signing Jakub Kiwior - meaning the Gunners lined up with two left-footed players in central defence - and the explanation was very simple.
"We have to change things. We were conceding too many goals," Arteta told Sky Sports when asked to explain his team selection ahead of kick-off. "We have to shake it up, we have to give other people opportunities that they fully deserve, and today was the day to that in my opinion.
"There are players that deserve to play minutes and that is Leo for sure, for the performances he’s had," the Spaniard added with regard to Trossard's inclusion. "We’ve been winning games with him and he’s been knocking on the door every week. For sure he [Jorginho] is prepared, for sure he gives us something very different to Thomas [Partey] and hopefully he can dictate the game the way he wants."
Arteta can certainly feel vindicated over those three decisions as Kiwior looked comfortable on his full Premier League debut, Trossard gave a good account of himself and despite conceding to Noni Madueke in the second half, there was a sense of control about Arsenal after going 2-0 up thanks in part to Jorginho's contribution and more importantly getting the all-important third goal.
However, despite ending the night top of the pile, reality will have soon hit the Gunners that their joy may only be short-lived as Manchester City welcome West Ham to the Etihad Stadium tonight. Well, that's unless Declan Rice - a summer transfer target for Arteta - and his teammates can pull off a shock result.
The Hammers aren't exactly assured of survival after back-to-back losses against Liverpool and Crystal Palace. Having battled back from two goals down at home to Arsenal is perhaps an encouraging sign that they can pull off the seemingly impossible and if Rice is to make the move to north London this summer what better gift other than to aid their title pursuit?
Otherwise, a Man City win moves them back to the summit and as they host relegation-threatened Leeds United on Saturday afternoon the lead at the top of the table could be four points ahead of the Gunners' trip to St James' Park where a sense of deja-vu will be in the air after what happened at the end of last season.
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