Bukayo Saka hails ‘huge result’ for Arsenal after win over Chelsea reboots Champions League dream

Bukayo Saka hailed Arsenal’s big win over Chelsea on Wednesday as a “huge result”.

Mikel Arteta’s side stopped the rot at Stamford Bridge, showing a vast improvement on the kind of performances to have seen them lose three games on the bounce.

A 4-2 win over the European and world champions moved Arsenal level on points with bitter rivals Tottenham in fourth before Saturday’s crunch game at home to Manchester United, who are also in the race for Champions League qualification.

Eddie Nketiah scored twice in a thrilling game, either side of a strike from Emile Smith Rowe before Saka converted a late penalty.

The result will lift the mood at the club following a period in which their attempts to finish in the top four have been undermined by poor results and performances, as well as injuries to key players such as Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Saka said: “We wanted to give the fans something to believe in us and we did that. We showed fight and character. It’s a huge result.

"It means a lot to us. Losing three games in a row is really difficult."

Of the penalty incident, to which Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta reacted angrily, the 20-year-old said: “"Of course he is going to be angry with me but it is what it is. It was a penalty.”