Chelsea vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge
Bukayo Saka banished his Euro 2020 final penalty shoot-out ghosts by converting a spot-kick as Arsenal toppled Chelsea 4-2 to reignite their bid for a top-four Premier League finish.
The England forward slotted home his first-ever penalty for Arsenal to seal the Gunners’ vital win over the Blues, that drew Mikel Arteta’s men level with fourth-placed Tottenham in the table.
Saka missed the last penalty in England’s 3-2 shoot-out defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley last July.
The 20-year-old won the late spot-kick at Stamford Bridge by drawing a foul from Cesar Azpilicueta, and quickly insisted on taking the penalty himself.
Saka dismissed any nerves by side-footing home to boot, to put the seal on a crucial win for the Gunners.
Eddie Nketiah had twice seized upon slipshod defending to drive Arsenal into a 3-2 lead before Saka’s strike.
Nketiah capitalised on Andreas Christensen’s woefully under-hit back-pass for his first Arsenal goal in 367 days, to open the scoring in west London.
The 22-year-old forward later settled a scrappy but engrossing contest when three attempted Chelsea clearances landed the ball straight into his path and through on goal.
Timo Werner’s deflected effort had Chelsea level quickly after Nketiah’s first goal, with captain Azpilicueta then cancelling out a fine finish from Emile Smith Rowe before half-time.
The fatigued and off-kilter Blues were made to pay for a string of errors however, with £98million striker Romelu Lukaku again failing to fire.
Toni Rudiger’s absence with a minor groin problem destabilised Chelsea’s defence, and Christensen endured a night to forget.
The Denmark international was withdrawn at half-time in a below-par showing, but not even the peerless Thiago Silva could sharpen up the hosts.
Arsenal took full advantage of Chelsea’s malaise to notch just their second win in six league matches, breaking a wretched run of results to move below Spurs on goal difference, leaving the race to finish fourth wide open.
Relive all the action live below:
Chelsea vs Arsenal
A win would ensure Arsenal become the third club to record 250 Premier League away victories, emulating Manchester United and Chelsea.
But, Mikel Arteta’s side have lost eight of nine league fixtures when conceding first this season. They’ll need to start quickly if they want to win at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports ahead of the game to talk about his aims for tonight’s game and whether Alexandre Lacazette could feature.
“Every game we play to win and we try to find the best way to win the game.” he said, “I expect a tough game against the champions of the Champions League. We will have to be at our best.
“We will have periods we will suffer against this team. We must play with certainty and courage like we always do.
“Lacazette is only available for a few minutes. He could only train for a short time and he wasn’t feeling particularly well but he wanted to be available to help the team.”
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Arsenal have lost four of their last five Premier League matches, having previously lost just one of 11. The Gunners have been beaten in eight of their last 10 top-flight games in the month of April.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chelsea could lose three consecutive home matches for the first time since November 1993, when the third game in that sequence was a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal.
Yet the Blues have won six of their last seven league matches, keeping five clean sheets.
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek enjoying wing back role under Thomas Tuchel
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek said he is relishing his new role as a wing-back under manager Thomas Tuchel after impressive performances in the last two matches.
Loftus-Cheek started last weekend’s Premier League match at Southampton on the right side, playing a part in four goals as Chelsea won 6-0.
The 26-year-old then excelled in the same role at the Santiago Bernabeu as Chelsea defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, although that result was not enough to send them through to the next round.
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek enjoying wing back role under Thomas Tuchel
Loftus-Cheek insists he has relished learning the wingback role
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chelsea ended a three-match losing streak against Arsenal in all competitions by winning 2-0 away in August but Arsenal’s 1-0 victory in May last season was their first in nine Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge (two draws, six defeats).
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Victory tonight would leave Chelsea needing just seven points from the remaining 21 available to secure a top-four finish and make it into the Champions League next season.
Thomas Tuchel wishes he could name ‘brilliant’ Reece James twice in Chelsea line-up
Thomas Tuchel has admitted Reece James is so good he would love to pick him twice.
Chelsea boss Tuchel conceded he cannot decide whether England defender James is better at right wing-back or right centre-back.
James missed two months at the turn of the year through hamstring trouble, only to be sidelined again with a recurrence in March.
Tuchel revealed deploying James on the right of a three-man defence has not only helped combat standout left-sided opponents in recent weeks, but also helped keep the 22-year-old fresh.
“He can play both positions brilliantly, but we can only select him once,” said Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel wishes he could name ‘brilliant’ Reece James twice in Chelsea line-up
The Blues boss conceded he cannot decide whether the England international is better at right wing-back or right centre-back
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Team changes
Thomas Tuchel makes four changes to the Chelsea team that started against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup at the weekend. Malang Sarr replaces Antonio Rudiger in the back line. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante replace Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho in midfield with Romelu Lukaku up front instead of Kai Havertz.
There are three changes for Arsenal. Cedric Soares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Gabriel Martinelli all drop out with Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe and Rob Holding brought in.
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