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Rio Ferdinand stuck the boot into woeful Chelsea by claiming it was 'men against boys' as Arsenal ran riot at the Emirates.

Ruthless Arsenal threw down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to roar three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday. 

The defeat concluded a sobering four days for Chelsea, who followed up Saturday's FA Cup semi-final exit to Manchester City with this defeat at the Emirates to end an eight-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Ferdinand told TNT Sports: 'They [Chelsea] were second best and this was men against boys.

'Yes, Chelsea had a young team, but it doesn't always play out that way, as sometimes young players come out with a bit of fearlessness.

'They've been good in big games in recent weeks, but today I thought they were way off it. No Palmer. They were men against boys and got absolutely destroyed today.

Any remaining doubts about Arsenal's staying power were answered emphatically as Leandro Trossard gave them an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz scored two each in a dazzling spell after the break to sweep aside a dazed Chelsea.

It was a powerful statement by Arsenal who have recovered impressively from a home defeat by Aston Villa and bowing out of the Champions League and with four games remaining they are piling the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal have 77 points from 34 games with Liverpool, who face Everton on Wednesday, on 74 from 33. 

Reigning champions Manchester City have 73 points but have two games in hand starting with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday.