Arsenal were denied the opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League standings after they were defeated 1-0 by Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners were reduced to 10 men after Per Mertesacker was sent off for a last-man tackle on Blues striker Diego Costa.

Chelsea wasted no time capitalising one the one-man advantage, with Costa netting what proved to be the winning goal just five minutes later when producing a glancing volley to Branislav Ivanovic's cross from the right.

Chelsea have now gone nine league matches against Arsenal without a defeat.

MATCH OVERVIEW


Arsenal: 0 (red card: Per Mertesacker 18')
Chelsea: 1 (Diego Costa 23')
Emirates Stadium, London (60,072)

TALKING POINTS


Chelsea continued their fine run of form under interim manager Guus Hiddink. The Blues are undefeated in the past six matches and have moved up to 13th place on the Premier League ladder.

Arsenal dropped to third place after Leicester and Manchester City both picked up points in their respective fixtures. One positive for the Gunners was the return of forward Alexis Sanchez, who came on as a 57th minute substitute after two months on the sideline with injury.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Arsenal take on Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, while Chelsea will take on MK Dons in the knockout competition.

TWITTER INSIGHT

Big win today! Great effort from everybody! Fantastic support from our fans! #CFCpic.twitter.com/y0FmDBQOXQ
— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) January 24, 2016

Massive game, massive support from the fans, massive Win ! #CFCfamily#derby @ChelseaFCpic.twitter.com/kUmttJVnOO
— Kurt Zouma (@KurtZouma) January 24, 2016

London is blue! Great victory today! Londres é azul! Ótima vitória #CFC#comeonChelsea#BeTheDifference#ACE16pic.twitter.com/uGGWUMyVZS
— Oscar (@oscar8) January 24, 2016


QUOTES CORNER

Arsenalmanager Arsene Wenger believe shis side deserved a share of the spoils, despite being reduced to 10 men:

"The referee was very quick to take the red card out. We coped with the decision well and should have had a draw at least. We had the chances. Mentally we were focused. Sometimes when you lose you can still say 'well done' to the players."

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes Mertesacker's red card was warranted:

"There was no doubt. It was a great ball through and Diego could run straight at Petr Cech but he was tripped. That is obvious."


STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta

7 - Arsenal have now been shown more red cards against Chelsea than they have any other Premier League opponent (7). Reckless.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2016

7 - Chelsea are on the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League (W3 D4). Turnaround.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2016

6 - Arsenal have gone 6 PL games without a goal against Chelsea, their joint longest such run against another team in PL history. Shy.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2016