Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal: Kit fiasco is the least of the Gunners’ problems as dominant Blues move SIX POINTS clear of Jonas Eidevall’s side after goals from Sjoeke Nusken and Lauren James

Arsenal had turned up at Stamford Bridge wearing the wrong color socks, causing a 30-minute delay in their top-flight match with Chelsea.

But it turned out that the kit clash was the least of their problems.

They were convincingly beaten by a rampant Chelsea team, showing why they have been champions four years in a row – and why Arsenal haven’t been.

When Lauren James cut through the Gunners’ defense with ease and sent a shot that goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger should have saved into the net, it should have been a warning.

Arsenal paid no attention. Two more goals from Sjoeke Nusken gave Chelsea a 3-0 lead at halftime. Without some great saves from Zinsberger, they would have scored more in the second half. A consolation goal came from Kim Little in the 87th minute, a beautiful volley from the edge of the penalty area. Too little and too late.

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Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall knew his side really had to get here and win to retain any chance of a title charge. The defeat leaves them six points behind Chelsea, who came top at this level with Manchester City.

The Blues were beaten 4-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates in December and lost at home to City last month.

This was Emma Hayes’ last WSL match at Stamford Bridge before she heads to the United States at the end of the season. She needed a big performance from her team and she got it. Even more impressive is the number of injured players that Hayes was unable to call on.

Behind the dugout were last season’s top scorer Sam Kerr, captain Millie Bright and club record signing Mayra Ramirez. That Hayes’ depleted side destroyed Arsenal with such conviction is a testament to their character.

The Gunners’ night got off to a bad start before a ball was kicked when the match officials pointed out that they had brought white socks instead of red, meaning they collided with Chelsea’s home stretch.

Arsenal were forced to go to Chelsea’s megastore to buy enough pairs of Chelsea away socks for their ten outfield players and substitutes. Because Adidas was the Gunners’ kit manufacturer, they had to mask the Nike sponsor on the Chelsea socks they purchased.

Chelsea had their own tumultuous build-up to this match after Jess Carter liked a series of social media posts criticizing manager Emma Hayes for her comments on player relations. But any danger of a backlash on the pitch quickly diminished when James struck in the 15th minute.

The striker was played in by Nusken and held off a challenge from Steph Catley before firing home. Manuela Zinsberger got a strong hand on her effort, but the ball bounced behind the goalkeeper and into the net. Chelsea doubled their lead six minutes later when Erin Cuthbert’s shot was saved by Nusken.

Arsenal appealed for offside, but replays showed the midfielder was level with defender Leah Williamson.

The Gunners were shocked, but the worst was yet to come as Chelsea scored a fortuitous third before half-time. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd drove forward and hit a shot that deflected off the back of Nusken, leaving Zinsberger wrong-footed as the ball bounced into the net.

Chelsea had numerous chances to extend their lead in the second half, but Zinsbeger produced fine saves to deny James and Rytting Kaneryd from close range.

Arsenal managed to find the net in the closing stages, when Little’s volley ended up in the bottom left corner via Catarina Macario.