Declan Rice celebrated in front of taunting Chelsea fans after Jurrien Timber’s winner

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We knew it was going to be a tough game. They are a top side, really well coached. I think we did some great things throughout the game. The moment we conceded the goal, it was disappointing, but we had the whole second half to play. We should have kept the ball a lot better when they had 10 men.

“We knew the importance of the individual duels at set plays because they are a top side attacking and defending them.

On Jurrien Timber: “He is improving a lot in our phases of play, attacking and defending in both boxes.

On penalty shout: “I haven’t seen it back, but it was a big battle all the time.

On David Raya: “The last save that he made, fabulous. We shouldn’t be in that position

“We are really happy because we know we had two difficult games in the last week or so. The attitude and willingness ot go for it and be dominant, I am happy with it.

“In March, we are in every competition, we are right up there.”

Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: “Big win, I’m very happy. For big periods the team performed in an excellent way, the margin should have been bigger at half-time. The moment we conceded was painful, but the quality of Chelsea…

“After their red card we should have managed that situation better but we will talk about this tomorrow.

“They have so much quality, even when they use the keeper they can get out of situation with 10 men. We didn’t adjust too well, sometimes you take things for granted. Something to improve there.

“They [Chelsea] have players who can occupy various spaces – Cole [Palmer] can play false nine and occupy these spaces, he needs just one square metre to turn and activate players. they have quality, big personalities, they are really well coached. They are so good a turning in tight spaces, Caicedo, Enzo [Fernandez], Cole. It’s impressive, they are a top side.”

On the importance of set-pieces: “Very important, Chelsea are the second best with one less goal, look at the talent they have. We have lost points to long throws, lately we haven’t scored from many set-pieces. Today we did it, to have these options is great.

“They can be a nightmare to defend against. On tactics boards we can resolve any situation, but when it’s live and they are so aggressive, pushy, effective, difficult to handle, it’s very tough.

On bouncing back from Wolves draw: “The way we have reacted to that disappointing result has been top. The manner we dealt with that was top. I thought we were good, good human beings and wanting to win, but the level they are in now is another one.

“The feeling that you have to continue to win and win and win, you win so many games but it is not enough to open a gap. This is the beauty and the level of this league.”

“Big win, I am very happy. We performed in an excellent way!”

Mikel Arteta can’t hide his smile after Arsenal’s huge win over Chelsea! 😁 pic.twitter.com/squHROyqIv

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s been the same story for the last three games. It’s the same story. In the ascendancy in all the games. What I never do is start pointing the finger, but it’s clear what we need to improve. We need to make sure we are ruthless in both boxes and to concede from two corners and get another red card, it is the story of our season.

“The first goal is top. Arsenal are probably the best team in the world at them. The second one is just disappointing. We have to do better. I don’t want to keep coming out here nd saying all the good that we do. There is a lot to sort out before we go to Aston Villa.

“It’s a combination. The marking, the zone players. The goalkeeper is involved. I won’t single out. I will address it on the training ground.

On what’s going wrong: “It’s a difficult thing to put your finger on. We get paid to win football matches and if you think we haven’t addressed that, it’s crazy. I thought the pain of dropping two points against Leeds and Burnley would have got us going.

“I thought the set-up tactically was good. Arsenal didn’t cause any problems until set plays.

On Cole Palmer’s position: “We just felt that we wanted to be compact in our shape and he is a magnificent footballer. We wanted to give him space to create.

On the penalty shout: “I haven’t seen it back. I genuinely haven’t. There has been a lot of talk about holding and how you mark in the box. I have to give their keeper credit. It’s just a bitterly disappointing day because we lacked discipline and gave

On gap to Champions League spots: “We are playing them. If we solve this problem, we have a great chance and it’s very simple.”

Rosenior speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Frustrated with the end result. A lot of good things in our game but we were undone by two set pieces like we were against Burnley last week.

On good performances: “There were some outstanding performance. Technically and tactically but we were undone by moments. Same as against Burnley and against Leeds.”

On the red cards his team have received “I have respect for the previous manager Enzo [Maresca]. I don’t speak about what happened before but it is starting to happen with me. That’s something I felt we had addressed, we went 10 games without a red card, now two in two games and that’s a problem we need to solve and the set play issue is something we need to keep working on.”

On Pedro Neto getting booked for dissent and then making a tackle shortly after: “Probably not to be honest,it’s very simple. It’s something that we need to address, not just Pedro but as a team to make sure we have 11 men on the pitch.”

On pushing the league leaders: “I don’t want to push the league leaders very hard. We’re Chelsea, we want to win games of football. Between both boxes, we were very, very good. I felt we were the better team by far in the second half but we weren’t ruthless in the moment. Their goalkeeper makes very good saves and at the other end we concede two goals from corners.”

“It is CLEAR what we need to improve…”

Liam Rosenior refuses to blame his Chelsea players but admits it’s clear what the squad need to improve 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/dkR8E4Y7NQ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber speaking to Sky Sports: “We deserved to win this game. First half we don’t give much away. We go in at 1-1 but in the second half we finished it off which was top.

On the game being defined by corners: “Both sides, it became an important part of the game. Today we came out well and overall we played a good game. We took the three points and then important game on Wednesday [against Brighton] again.”

On enjoying the battle: “We have to enjoy it. It is a privilege to be standing here with my team-mates, with Arsenal, we are fighting for these titles. You have to enjoy it, it’s a beautiful place and we are enjoying it. Game by game and at the end hopefully something beautiful.”