Arsenal reopened a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as their set-piece prowess helped them to a 2-1 victory over 10-man Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
Under pressure to win following Manchester City's victory over Leeds on Saturday, Arsenal scored their 15th and 16th corner goals of the season through William Saliba and Jurrien Timber to beat Liam Rosenior's side for the third time in six weeks.
Chelsea scored from a corner of their own in between those two goals when Piero Hincapie flicked a wicked Reece James delivery into his own net in first-half stoppage time, but their hopes of fighting back for a second time were hit by a red card to Pedro Neto.
The Chelsea winger was shown a second yellow card for a cynical foul on Gabriel Martinelli just three minutes after being booked for dissent as he became the seventh Chelsea player to receive a red card in the Premier League this season.
While Robert Sanchez struggled in goal for Chelsea, appearing to duck under Declan Rice's cross for Timber's goal, Arsenal were indebted to David Raya for some vital saves, including in stoppage time, when he brilliantly tipped a Alejandro Garnacho cross wide.
Raya also clawed a goalbound corner around the post shortly before Chelsea's equaliser, although Chelsea were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty after that James delivery appeared to strike the arm of Rice, who was grappling with his marker.
Arsenal experienced some nervy moments in the closing stages as the 10-man visitors pushed for another equaliser, but in the end their one-goal advantage proved sufficient, allowing them to keep their noses in front of Manchester City in the title race
As Arsenal restore their five-point lead at the summit, having played a game more than City, Chelsea are left three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to Your Site:
"Big win. I am very happy. We performed in an excellent way for big periods.
"The margin should have been bigger at half-time. The moment we conceded was painful, but it is the quality of Chelsea.
"After the red card we should have managed the situation better.
"The way we have reacted after that disappointing result against Wolves has been top.
"There are things we have learned about ourselves. The manner we have dealt with that is top. Let's keep going."
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to Your Site:
"It's been the same story for the last three games. You have performances to get results but it's the same story.
"We are together because what I never do, whether we win or lose games, is start pointing fingers at players.
"But it is clear what we need to improve. It is not our football or attacking play, we need to make sure we are ruthless in both boxes.
"To concede two goals from corners and get another red card, that has been the story of our season."
There was a palpable sense of anticipation inside the Emirates Stadium when Timber won Arsenal's first corner against Chelsea. Moments later, they were ahead. One corner, one goal. Their mastery of set-pieces continues to reward them.
Saliba's opener, nodded home after Saka's back-post delivery had been headed across goal by his centre-back partner Gabriel, was their 15th corner goal of the season and their 16th followed when Timber forced home Rice's centre.
"The first goal is top," conceded Rosenior to Your Site afterwards. He said Chelsea had spent extra time on set-piece preparation in the lead-up to the game but they are not the first side to be undone by Arsenal's corners and they will not be the last.
Arteta was eager to point out that most of Arsenal's goals have come from other sources lately. All four against Spurs were scored from open play. But their set-pieces, and specifically their corners, continue to be a game-breaking weapon.
Saliba's header was Arsenal's ninth opening goal from a corner in the Premier League this season. Timber's was their ninth match-winning goal from a corner. The set-piece emphasis is not for everyone but there is no doubting its value to Arsenal in marginal games.
Their Premier League rivals are still struggling to find solutions.
