Beth Mead put the hosts ahead inside seven minutes but Emma Hayes's side quickly responded and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd fired home an equaliser.

However, two goals in as many minutes before the break from Amanda Ilestedt and Alessia Russo stunned the Blues, and a second-half penalty converted by Russo condemned the Blues to defeat in north London.

Caught off guard

Hayes made two changes to the side which began the 5-2 victory over Leicester City at Kingsmeadow before the international break.

Jessie Fleming and Sjoeke Nusken came into the midfield with Sophie Ingle and Fran Kirby among the substitutes alongside Guro Reiten, who was back in the matchday squad for the first time since October after recovering from injury.

It was a lively start to proceedings with two goals inside the opening quarter hour. We suffered an early setback when Mead rifled into the roof of the net from inside the penalty area following a swift counter-attack.

However, just five minutes were required for us to respond via Rytting Kaneryd, who cut inside onto her favoured left foot and buried a driven shot into the bottom corner.

Arsenal posed a constant thread when they pushed forward and only nn outstanding piece of defending at the far post by Eve Perisset prevented the hosts from restoring their lead with 20 minutes on the clock.

We managed to regain some control and stifle the home side’s rhythm momentarily, but having fought our way back into the match, there was a huge sucker punch to come when Arsenal scored a quickfire double to create a two-goal cushion going into the break.

Ilestedt headed home from a corner that Ann-Katrin Berger was unable to collect before Russo finished cooly in a one-versus-one situation. It left the Blues plenty of work to do in the second half.

Tough to take

A big second period was required by the Blues and a triple substitution was made at the interval. Perisset, Nusken and Maren Mjelde made way for Ashley Lawrence, Kadeisha Buchanan and Fran Kirby.

Chelsea moved through the gears in search of a route back into the match and came close when Lauren James let fly and saw her effort from 20 yards sail narrowly past the post.

There were some brighter passages of possession as we approached the hour mark, but we didn't ask enough serious questions of Manuela Zinsberger in the home goal.

Guro Reiten made a welcome return to action in place of Rytting Kaneryd with 25 minutes remaining. We needed some magic from somewhere if we were going to haul ourselves back into the contest.

Unfortunately, there would be no way back for the Blues as Arsenal were awarded a controversial penalty with fifteen minutes remaining.

A through ball was poked clear by Jess Carter and Russo tumbled over the onrushing Berger. Referee Rebecca Welch pointed to the spot and Russo dispatched the spot kick and there was no way back for the Blues.

What it means

The Blues retain top spot in the WSL despite defeat at The Emirates, but we now lead only on goal difference.

What’s next?

We return to UEFA Women’s Champions League action on Thursday as Swedish outfit BK Hacken visit Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm (UK time).

The Swedes currently occupy top spot in Group D after back-to-back wins against Paris FC and Real Madrid. The Blues are hot on their heels, just two points behind in second place after a win and a draw.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Berger; Perisset (Lawrence 45), Mjelde (Buchanan 45), Carter, Charles; Nusken (Kirby 45), Cuthbert; Rytting Kaneryd (Reiten 64), Fleming, James (Fishel 74); Kerr.

Unused Subs: Musovic, Hampton, Ingle, Beever-Jones.

Scorers: Rytting Kaneryd (12)

Booked: James (68)

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Zinsberger; McCabe, Ilestedt, Wubben-Moy, Catley (Maritz 74); Pelova, Walti; Mead (Lacasse 74), Little (Maanum 61), Foord; Russo (Blackstenius 74)

Unused Subs: D’Angelo, Beattie, Miedema, Codina, Cooney-Cross.

Scorers: Mead (7), Ilestedt (36), Russo (38, 73).

Booked: McCabe (53), Foord (56)

Referee: Rebecca Welch