Arsenal re-established their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table by beating Chelsea, but Ian Wright isn't fully convinced about their title chances
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Ian Wright presenting for ITV Sport prior to the Women's international friendly between England and Brazil at City of Manchester Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Ian Wright was critical of Arsenal's second half(Image: Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Ian Wright has revealed why he's worried about 'jittery' Arsenal in the Premier League title race. The Gunners edged out Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday to go five points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
The win, courtesy of goals from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, wasn't without its negatives, though. Despite Chelsea being reduced to 10 men in the second half, Arsenal still gave up chances and had David Raya to thank for some crucial late saves.
Wright reckons that his former club's failure to see out the game comfortably should be cause for concern. "Chelsea, once they went down to 10 men, they started to play. It was worrying," the Arsenal legend told Premier League Productions.
"Arsenal howing those nerves, those jittery nerves at the latter stages of games, they need to take the opportunities earlier on so they can relax at this stage.
"They have to just win now, especially the home games. It's not going to be something that instills you with loads of confidence but it's a win."
Arsenal went ahead through Saliba before Piero Hincape's own goal levelled the scores on the brink of half-time. Timber restored the home side's lead in the second half but Joao Pedro came agonisingly close to snatching a draw for Chelsea in stoppage time.
"We're seeing in the second half of games, you can get at Arsenal," Wright continued. "Chelsea had 10 men there, it would be nice to find out what's happening to Arsenal in the second half.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Mikel Arteta manager/head coach of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on March 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta admitted post-match that his 'heart stopped'(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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"It comes down to 'you get the job done' and I'm happy the job is done, but I'm going to be nervous for the next game because I'm seeing that again in the second half."
Even Mikel Arteta was getting nervous at the end. "The save that he made in the last action - it's a cross, it's not a shot, but it ended up being an unbelievable shot," Arteta recalled in his post-match press conference. "I got the right angle and my heart almost stopped, but David's hand was there to get it back to life.
Arsenal next travel to Brighton on Wednesday, as they look to make it three wins in a row. Brighton have won their last two Premier League outings and promise to provide a stern test for the Gunners, who'll then resume their FA Cup campaign on Saturday away to Mansfield Town.