Arsenal responded decisively to any lingering doubts about their ability to stay in the competitive fray, with Leandro Trossard granting them an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz each netted two goals in a dazzling display early in the second half, to thoroughly overwhelm a stunned Chelsea.

This victory serves as a powerful statement from Arsenal, who have impressively bounced back from a home defeat against Aston Villa and being knocked out of the Champions League, increasing the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City with four matches remaining.

Arsenal now has 77 points from 34 matches, while Liverpool, set to face Everton on Wednesday, has 74 points from 33 games.

The reigning champions, Manchester City, hold 73 points but have two postponed matches pending, starting with a fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on the coming Thursday.

This season marks the sixth occasion Arsenal has scored five or more goals in a Premier League match. In such a closely contested race, the team enjoys a significant goal difference, which could prove decisive.

For ninth-placed Chelsea, this was their biggest defeat ever to Arsenal and a heavy blow to their attempt to claw into a European qualification position, coming just days after a narrow defeat in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.