Arsenal Take Charge of Title Race as Liverpool Falter Again

It’s Arsenal who head into the international break on top, after Liverpool once more crumbled in stoppage time, this time against Chelsea.

For long spells, Stamford Bridge was a frantic, scrappy battlefield, but the moment that mattered came in added time. Estevao’s strike secured a 2-1 win for Chelsea and altered the Premier League title picture.

Mikel Arteta’s team will now enjoy two weeks at the summit, not only thanks to their own assured form but also Liverpool’s stumbles. Arsenal’s decision to finally loosen the tactical handbrake has combined perfectly with the champions’ recent slide, leaving the Gunners in control of the early title race.

If anyone needed convincing that this season would deliver a genuine three-way battle, Chelsea’s victory over Arne Slot’s side confirmed it. Liverpool were disjointed, sloppy in defense, and exposed weaknesses that can no longer be ignored. In contrast, Arsenal’s structure and control stand out all the more.

Liverpool’s Regression Hands Arsenal the Advantage

The early-season drama of Liverpool snatching late winners in their opening four games painted a picture of grit and determination. Yet, viewed in hindsight, those escapes feel more like warnings of fragility than signs of strength.

Defeated three times in succession across all competitions, and deservedly so on each occasion, Liverpool is sliding. Their problems were on full display against Chelsea.

In the opening half, the hosts’ aggressive pressing suffocated Slot’s team. Using an unusual midfield trio that even included right-back Malo Gusto, Chelsea went man-for-man and completely disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm.

The second half descended into chaos, but Chelsea remained sharp enough to strike the decisive blow. A sloppy, patched-up Liverpool defense, forced to deploy Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai as emergency defenders, failed to deal with a Cucurella cross, allowing Estevao to pounce.

This has become a pattern. Their vulnerability in wide areas and susceptibility to counterattacks have been widely analyzed, yet little improvement has followed. Chelsea’s targeted approach exposed those flaws, just as others have before.

Even the stats support the downturn. Opta currently rates Liverpool at only 9.4 expected points, placing them eighth in that table. In essence, this is not a sudden dip in form but a regression to what their performances suggested all along.

Arsenal’s “Handbrake” Strategy Proves Effective

While Liverpool looked erratic, Arsenal delivered calm authority in a routine 2-0 win over West Ham earlier in the day.

Arteta fielded Eberechi Eze alongside Martin Ødegaard for the first time, an adventurous midfield pairing that paid off quickly. Declan Rice’s first-half strike set the tone, and from there Arsenal controlled proceedings with ease.

The result lifted them above Liverpool, erasing the impact of their earlier defeat at Anfield, their only blemish so far this campaign.

Arteta has been accused of being too cautious in heavyweight clashes, but performances like this vindicate his approach. The Gunners’ steady, disciplined structure is proving a far cry from Liverpool’s frantic unpredictability.

Arsenal’s Numbers Back Their Rise

Far from overachieving, Arsenal’s stats suggest they are performing exactly as expected for a title contender. They sit joint-top of Opta’s expected points table with 11.7, while also leading the league in expected goals against (3.9), fewest goals conceded (three), and goals scored (14).

The criticism of Arteta’s so-called “conservatism” looks increasingly misplaced. Take the 1-1 draw with Manchester City, his decision to start Mikel Merino over Eze was pragmatic, given Eze’s newness to the role. When Guardiola’s cautious game plan became clear, Arteta adjusted by introducing Eze early.

Similarly, the 1-0 defeat at Anfield was used as evidence that Arsenal lacked bravery, but that argument ignores the tactical context. Teams like Bournemouth and Newcastle hurt Liverpool by counterattacking, not by relentlessly attacking. At Anfield, restraint was sensible, and but for a freak Szoboszlai free-kick, it would have worked.

As Liverpool falter, Arteta’s supposed “handbrake” now looks like tactical maturity. Pundits who dismissed it earlier may soon be praising the adaptability and composure it brings.

Chelsea’s Midfield Shines but Injuries Cloud Outlook

Chelsea’s late winner brought jubilation at the Bridge, but questions remain about their long-term prospects.

Enzo Maresca’s squad is heavily depleted at the back. With Benoît Badiashile and Josh Acheampong both injured, Jorrel Hato was the only senior center-back available. The international break will help, but the severity of those absences may define their season.

Still, their midfield display deserves recognition. Moisés Caicedo was immense, while Gusto thrived in his makeshift role. Their clever one-two move carved through Liverpool for Chelsea’s opening goal, and their relentless pressing kept Slot’s side rattled.

The victory leaves Chelsea sixth in the table, exactly where their expected points suggest they should be, and just five points off Arsenal.

It was also an important response after last weekend’s defeat to Brighton. Yet, for Maresca, the break will be crucial to finding a more consistent balance. Without defensive reinforcements, a sustained title push feels unrealistic.