The Blues made the short trip to north London looking to maintain an unbeaten start to the Women's Super League season – and put a further dent into the title ambitions of Arsenal, who started the day third.

However, it was an afternoon to forget for Chelsea at the Emirates. Beth Mead opened the scoring for the hosts, but the Blues responded as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd guided a finish beyond Manuela Zinsberger in the 13th minute.

That proved as good as it got for Hayes's side, however. Arsenal re-established their lead when Amanda Ilestedt headed home from a corner and, one minute later, Alessia Russo struck a third.

Hayes attempted to shake her side to life with the introduction of Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence, and Fran Kirby at the interval. Guro Reiten was also introduced in the second period as she made her return from an ankle injury.

Yet it was to no avail and, in the 74th minute, Russo converted from the penalty spot to seal victory and move Arsenal level with Chelsea in the WSL on 22 points. The Blues remain top on goal difference.

Reflecting on the game, Hayes said: ‘We are disappointed? Absolutely. We can’t sit here and complain. We were outclassed on every front today. This isn’t about individuals. As a team, I don’t think anyone comes out of that performance with flying colours.'

The Chelsea head coach continued: ‘The players all have pride, pride to wear the Chelsea badge. Arsenal deserved the result – and deserved everything today. But that absolutely wasn’t Chelsea standard.

‘I want to see the performances in training [this week]. To lose a game of football like that, to me, was unacceptable.’'