Thomas Partey makes first start in 2024 as Arsenal hit Chelsea for 5

Ghana international Thomas Partey started his first game of the year in Arsenal's emphatic league win over Chelsea on Tuesday night.

The midfielder made the starting lineup after coming off the bench for the Gunners in their last Premier League game against Wolves over the weekend.

Leandro Trossard settled any early nerves when he beat Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic at his near post and while the visitors occasionally threatened in the first half, Nicolas Jackson missing a clear-headed chance, Arsenal simply ran riot after the break.

The second goal Arsenal craved came as Ben White turned in after Chelsea failed to clear a corner before former Stamford Bridge forward Kai Havertz struck twice in eight minutes, the second a quite sumptuous finish from Martin Odegaard's magnificent pass.

As Chelsea subsided in embarrassing fashion, White looped his second over Petrovic.

It pushed their goal difference up to +56 - 13 better than Liverpool's and 12 ahead of Manchester City - on what was pretty much the perfect night for Arsenal.

Partey has struggled with injuries this season managing just 10 league appearances with five starts.

He was an used substitute during Arsenal's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in Germany which saw them exit the competition last week.

The 5-0 win over Chelsea means Arsenal still stay top of the league table having played more games than both Liverpool and Manchester City.