Arsenal lost to one of their championship rivals for the second Sunday in succession as Chelsea beat them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to move nine points ahead of the Gunners.

Arsenal were not so much beaten as totally outplayed, being a shadow of the side that went 10 games without defeat to get themselves in with a real chance of the title.

Didier Drogba scored Chelsea’s first goal in the ninth minute after some poor defending, especially by Gael Clichy, who plumbed the depths against Manchester United last Sunday. Clichy was again at fault with Drogba’s second goal after 25 minutes.

Arsenal never looked like making a game of it, and coach Arsene Wenger was clearly upset.