WATCH: A wild first-half! Beth Mead and Alessia Russo on target as Arsenal take 3-1 lead inside 40 minutes against WSL champions Chelsea

It took Arsenal just eight minutes to break the deadlock at the Emirates Stadium, with Mead showing great composure to dribble past several Chelsea defenders before firing into the roof of the net. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd soon drew the visitors level, but Amanda Ilestedt restored the advantage before Russo cooly slotted home to put the Gunners 3-1 up at half-time.

Chelsea and Arsenal occupy the top two spots in the WSL table. Chelsea will stay top even with a defeat, but only by having a superior goal difference. Manchester City's win against Aston Villa on Saturday cut the gap between them and the leaders to three points.

Next week Arsenal will take on Tottenham twice in three days, first in the League Cup and then in the WSL. Chelsea will turn their attention to the Champions League when they host BK Hacken at Stamford Bridge.