The decisive goal came in the 39th minute at Stamford Bridge. United States international Alyssa Thompson finished clinically after the visitors were caught playing out from the back. Keira Walsh’s initial shot was saved, but Thompson reacted quickest to slot the ball home.
Chelsea controlled large periods of the first half and took a deserved lead into the interval. Arsenal improved after the break and created several opportunities, with efforts from Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo blocked, but the Blues remained solid defensively to protect their advantage.
The result moves Chelsea up the table and extends their own unbeaten run in the WSL. For Arsenal, the defeat marks the end of an impressive sequence and leaves them with work to do as the season progresses.
The London derby provided a competitive and tightly contested afternoon, with Chelsea’s clinical edge in front of goal proving the difference. Both sides will now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures as they continue their campaigns in the Women’s Super League.