LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal shows dejection after Watford's goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on January 31, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s title hopes took a major hit with defeat to Watford (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic admits he was delighted to hear that Arsenal had suffered a shock home defeat to Watford on Tuesday night.

The Serbian helped Chelsea to a well-earned 1-1 draw away to Liverpool, which served to increase the club’s lead at the top of the Premier League table due to Arsenal’s surprise loss.

The Blues now take on their London rivals in their next league game at the weekend, and Matic has well and truly stoked the fires ahead of the grudge match by saying he was delighted to hear they’d lost to Watford.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Nemanja Matic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on January 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Nemanja Matic was delighted to hear the Arsenal result (Picture: Getty)

‘Of course (I was delighted). To be honest I didn’t expect that they would lose points at home,’ he said. ‘But this is the Premier League, everything is possible and you have to concentrate in every game.

‘It’s good for us when they lose points because with 15 games to go, we are now into the second part of the season and every point is very important.

Chelsea v Arsenal last 5 meetings

Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea

Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea

‘If we win on Saturday we will be 12 points clear of them and that’s good.’

Having lost 3-0 to the Gunners earlier in the season, Matic also spoke of his desire for Chelsea to get their revenge at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

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