Arsenal can end their crisis with repeat of two iconic wins vs Chelsea, including Mikel Arteta’s ‘favourite’

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Arsenal have suffered on the road in recent weeks, and have lost three of their last four away games in all competitions without scoring.

A 2-0 loss against Bournemouth was followed by 1-0 defeats at Newcastle and Inter Milan, and Arsenal’s title challenge hangs in the balance.

A trip to Stamford Bridge could not have come at a worse time, and a loss to Chelsea could end Arsenal’s title hopes as they slip further behind Manchester City and Liverpool.

Arsenal have endured tough runs under Mikel Arteta, but have used games against Chelsea to spark revivals in form, and will now hope for a repeat to get their title challenge back on track.

• READ MORE: All Mikel Arteta signings at Arsenal ranked from worst to best

Arsenal ended losing streak with Emile Smith Rowe-inspired Chelsea victory in December 2020

Arteta found himself under huge pressure at Arsenal in December 2020, after a dismal run of seven league games without a win.

They faced Chelsea at the Emirates on Boxing Day, knowing that a loss could have ended Arteta’s time in charge, but Arsenal saw a revival that day.

Emile Smith Rowe came into the team, and instantly transformed Arsenal, injecting some much-needed creativity, and inspired his side to a 3-1 victory.

Arteta recalled the game in his latest press conference when asked about his “favourite” wins over Chelsea, highlighting Smith Rowe’s impact.

“It was in a difficult moment, I think it was in December [2020] when Emile Smith Rowe came in, I think he changed something – the momentum, the energy and belief, but that was a key one,” Arteta replied.

The win over Chelsea inspired a turnaround in form, and they would need another one to have the same impact two years later.

Arsenal won at Chelsea to end a three-game losing streak in 2022

In April 2022, Arsenal saw their challenge for a top-four spot faltering, after three consecutive defeats against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Brighton.

Arsenal looked out of ideas, but Arteta changed his team up for a daunting trip to face Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Chaos followed, as Eddie Nketiah, Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka all scored to give Arsenal a dramatic 4-2 win. Many had written Arsenal off before the game, but they silenced their critics to pull out a win after a bad run.

Arsenal are a much better team now than they were then, but they find themselves in a similar blip in form, and will hope that Chelsea can be the opposition they again beat to give their season a spark.