Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny scored first-half goals as Arsenal bounced back from defeat at West Ham to beat Chelsea but loss Bellerin to another injury
Match Report
Arsenal returned to winning ways and reignited their bid for a top-four place in the Premier League with an excellent 2-0 triumph over Chelsea.
Alexandre Lacazette crafted a wonderful 14th-minute opener as Maurizio Sarri's side, not for the first time this season, wilted under the pressure of a London derby.
Club captain Laurent Koscielny's attempt to head Sokratis Papastathopoulos's volleyed pass six minutes before half-time spun off his shoulder and beat Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
It was the former France defender's first goal since rupturing an Achilles tendon last season and Chelsea were unable to respond.
Player Ratings
Match Events
14'GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (Lacazette)
GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!! LACAZETTE BREAKS THE DEADLOCK!! 1-0 ARSENAL!! The pressure from the home side pays off and Lacazette displays a clinical edge to find the back of the net. Bellerin fired a low cross into the box and the Frenchman took a great first touch to create space for a strike. From a tight angle he fired his effort between Arrizabalaga and the post to put his team ahead.
18' MISS! Pedro's shot wide out
CLOSE! David Luiz releases Pedro over the top and Leno commits himself. The Spaniard clips the ball over the top of the Arsenal keeper towards goal, but his effort bounces inches wide of the target and out for a goal-kick.
39'GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea (Koscielny)
KOSCIELNY DOUBLES ARSENAL'S LEAD!!! 2-0!!! The Gunners extend their advantage over the visitors with a huge slice of fortune. Chelsea fail to clear their lines from the free-kick and Sokratis sends a follow-up into the six-yard. Koscielny has acres of space and meets the cross. However, he connects with his shoulder rather than his head, but it spins favourably for Arsenal away from Arrizabalaga and towards the top corner to find the net.
72' INJURY! Bellerin is replaced by Elneny
Bellerin is carried off the field on a stretcher and replaced by Elneny. Maitland-Niles will likely drop back into Bellerin's position and Elneny will move into the midfield.
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: Sokratis, Aubameyang, Koscielny, Ramsey, Lacazette, Bernd Leno, G. Xhaka, Kolasinac, Bellerín, L. Torreira, M. Guendouzi
Subs: P. Čech, M. Özil, Nacho Monreal, Mustafi, M.Elneny, A. Iwobi, A.M Niles
Chelsea XI: Willian, D.Luiz, Azpilicueta, E. Hazard, Pedro, M.Alonso, M. Kovačić, Jorginho, A. Rüdiger, Kepa, N. Kanté
Subs: W. Caballero, O. Giroud, Barkley, Emerson, A. Christensen, Ampadu, C. Hudson-Odoi
Nesaiknruy_Legend
381
96 minutes of pure torture. I knew we were bad this season but I was certain we could at least beat Arsenal with all their troubles. Ended up embarrassing ourselves. Questions should be asked. Why Willian over Odoi who came on and already looked threatening. Why Alonso over Emerson when Lacazette rips him apart on repeat. What is this some sort of joke? I did say if we don't get a striker forget top 4. Well with that display who's going to want to come here.. absolutely embarrassing, you'd think we were the club struggling behind the scenes. Poor performance. How do you beat City with defencive organisation then go and lose to Arsenal with the defence all over the place. Lacazette was enjoying himself vs Alonso as was Bellerin. Emerson and Odoi need to be on that side then Hazard false 9 might work. Willian slows down play and so does Alonso. Willian has good technique but little to no impact. Alonso just useless in all aspects. Barkley is our response to problems, first sub should have been Odoi, not Sidekley. Sidekley (new nickname) is someone that has no impact at all on the game. People asked if there can be anyone worse than Morata at chelsea, introducing Barkley, the average package... Same players let us down week in week out and this board don't want to do business to solve the issues. At least at Arsenal we know Kroenke is an ass but at chelsea we got money, do what's the hold up? we can't get anyone in for January? this is a joke. Gonna erase what I saw from my mind. I feel stupid for going into that confident. I knew their attack was gonna destroy us. Terrible....
Adebode
330
I want to Congratulate Arsenal for well deserved winning. Joginho made me hate Sarri with passion. qq
kamaarh
316
Arsenal has got to be team with most haters everytime they are always wishing we lose but we win . -First came Liverpool they said we were gonna lose but we drew, the return leg we were thrashed that a fact. -Then Tottenham came and they said we'd lose but we still beat them by a mile . -Then United came along the talk was the same of how Arsenal would lose but we drew at Old Trafford. -Now we had Chelsea, same talk as always that Arsenal would lose but you know what we won and we kept a clean sheet . Now before the pundits talk of how Chelsea played bad not wanting to acknowledge that we out played them . Just know that you haters fuel us up . And we will always rise up to prove you wrong . LONDON IS RED ... AMEN !!!
cubaityz
310
Absolute disgrace from Chelsea. Nobody had energy in the team. Are we really going to allow lacazette to turn inside the box, take 2 touches, and then shoot and score as well?! Then on the 2nd goal we had like 6 defenders in the box and not one of them could pick up a center back who cant even head the ball. Jorginho was poor and just kept turning it over. The defence kept clearing it straight to arsenal. The midfield were sloppy and lazy. The forwards didn't have many attacking runs or attempts on goal. It doesn't matter if he have possession if we aren't passing with a purpose. Credit to arsenal for coming out to play, Emery had great tactics, but come on you blues! That was a horrible performance for a team trying to get to the champions league.
Dazoruy
271
CFC at the moment are not motivated, the whole team are sluggish then alonso is lazy, jorghingho is defensive minded always playing the ball backward, the number 9 role doesn't suite Hazard, then to cap it all our coach is so stubborn with his non rotation policy I'm not sure if we'll make the top 4.
Spartacus_Aye419
259
When I thought Jose Mourinho was gonna win the award; now Sarri, Jorginho and Kovačić should be nominated for the Premier League "Flop of the Year". And someone from Chelsea Must Win it. Jorginho and Sarri should go back to Napoli, Kovačić should go back to Real Madrid, Kante should go back to his Former/Defensive Midfield Position instead of running aimlessly, Hazard should decide if he still wants to be playing for Chelsea till Real Madrid's deal comes through. Chelsea needs guys that can compete, not the Players that are looking for a way out of their former Team's Bench or the Players that wanna play because a Coach wants to reunite with them.
SoccerkingTitoh254
237
Cant beleive we cant even score a single goal at home. This hazard false 9 role is stupid and also we need kante to cover defense to avoid such embarrassments we are wasting hazard and kante's talents. Sarri is so stubborn.
Nexis Junior
214
Sarri need to recharge.... He's outta cigarettes... Can't see hazard.. Arsenal defense showcasing well but needs additions due to belerin injury.... Credit to emery for the Derby win.... Now four teams will compete for the remaining two spots with man city and Liverpool at the top of the league, spurs, man utd, Chelsea and arsenal with compete for the remaining two spots but at the moment man utd finishing top four seems close and evident
EpaphrasDaniel
213
Guess whose turn it was to get drilled 😂😂😂😂😂
Buoilmpryz
190
He think he is in Italy. Its England. And you need to build Chelsea for next 5-7season. Need to bring young players who are hungry and ready for trophies and make history's players who are fast who attacks and make chances and make assist. Players who attack and defends who are not old and can run,and when they lose the ball they run to get it and run back not walk on the pitch. Today was so bad and will happen again speciel when he play Higuan they will walk not run,like chickins out of head. They don't protect the ball and each other. They don't help chother when one have ball nobody is there to help to get the ball. Or when players lose the ball other looking I steed to fight and get it back. They should work like team and help chother. This what happen today I know will come soon or later. Becose he play same players all the time. And on same way every game. I steed to move them a round and teach them new things. He keap play jorghino on same possision. I steed put Kante there. And Play Barkley and Kovacic. And put Christensen whit rudger. And should try Hudson like nr. 9. He is young and fast. Maybe he should try 4-2-3-1. Whit Kante and jorghino in mid. To help defender and attacker. And HAZARD behind attacker. Barkley and Hudson on wings. He have so many combination he can play but he play the same and the same. He could try also 3-4-3. Rudger LUIZ Christensen in defends. Jorghino Kante mid. And LM. Barkley. RM Willian front. Hazard Hudson Pedro. He have so many many combination I can anderstant he keap doing the same game after game.
NEITHYLEKSON
166
I regret the day this Couch was signed. The players played without determination, they not zealous to the point nothing to show that wish to win the match. How a club play derby match without any shot on target, Joginho had more than 7 attempt to play shot but passed the ball away. We don't want Sarri Football again. I can remember that we still the team that won the FA Cup previous season so what is wrong now. Why will that sluggish Alonso start when we have Emerson that can move ball, is Kante tired of 4 and this stupid and silly false of Hazard is whack...... Today's match is was disgraceful and heart broken. Stupid Team with Rubbish Couch. 😈😈😈
gentlesoulnw
158
Full time Arsenal 2 Chelsea 0... I have made my full assessment of sarri. SARRI is not a technical coach, blame it on the cigarette.... How can you start Jorginho, Kante and kovacic same time in the middle sacrificing creativity.... I know he sarri has vowed to rather get sacked than move Kante back to his position... No urgency from Chelsea players to get the ball in the box. No short on target until the 80th minute of the game..... Can he also stop using Hazard as a striker he's wasting the guys talent. I honestly think Mr Sarri has a lot to learn in football before he can think of winning any form of silver ware. Instead he should rather quit football and go bank to his bank job.... Coaching is not for everyone... RIP SARRI
FADADDON
146
I think this man should start smoking back on the sideline....he will get better ideas..... who else agree??
KingDave10
97
Summary: Arsenal 2 touches 2 attempts 2 goals Chelsea 2000 touches 500000 passes 2 attempts no goal 😂
SINGAM23
75
what ?? Chelsea lost... !! (go home Blues)
joohnny10
58
Chelsea must sign a striker
Rohcdiopsy
32
Playing Kante out of position is irresponsible behaviour on the part of Sarri, he will eventually lose his good positioning and football skills,trying to please Jorginho who is out of his depth in EPL. Sarri has given enough game time to Jorginho to prove himself sadly he is not in the same class as World Cup winning midfielder Kante,you don't have to have a crystal ball, unfortunately Sarri and Emery are portraying petty stubborn behaviour. Results matter most in EPL just like in France or Italy, judgement day is not far if poor results continue and you deploy players out of positions where they give 45% output. The false 9 is tactics you use when playing Swansea not a team breathing on your neck!