Arsenal's defensive masterclass begins up top as win at Chelsea sends them to top of Premier League

A 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge restored Arsenal's lead over Manchester City

LONDON -- The torrent that engulfed Stamford Bridge in the hours before kickoff on Sunday was little more than a light smattering compared to the tempest that blew through west London for 90 minutes later in the afternoon. The biblical torrent led by Gabriel Jesus washed Chelsea away, the heavens open for Arsenal once more as they returned to the summit of the Premier League.

They look good there. No one seriously believes that this will last for another 25 league games. Sooner or later Manchester City will overtake them but they will have to do extremely well to pull away from them. Led by their remorseless front three, Arsenal will not let go of anything once they get their claws in.

That much Edouard Mendy and company can attest to. Arsenal's front three harassed him and the Chelsea byline, giving them barely a second to check their angles and build out from the back. It was all Thiago Silva could do to hoof the ball into the middle distance, where Gabriel and William Saliba were on hand to send it right back.