Arsenal vs Chelsea: Unai Emery's side close on top four with convincing Premier League win
Re-live the action from the Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal reinvigorated their hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four with a deserved 2-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea.
Unai Emery had said on the eve of the game that a defeat at the Emirates Stadium, which would have left Arsenal nine points adrift of the fourth-placed Blues, would have meant the end of their top-four ambitions.
In truth, the hosts never looked like losing as they went at Chelsea from the off, sealing the win with first-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny.
Maurizio Sarri opted to set up his Chelsea side with Eden Hazard again playing at the main central attacking option and the visitors rarely threatened. Re-live the action in the blog below:
What time does it start?
Arsenal vs Chelsea kicks off at 5:30pm (GMT) on Saturday 19 January.
Where can I watch it?
Arsenal vs Chelsea will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 5:00pm (GMT).
BT Sport subscribers can watch the action on the BT Sport app.
Highlights will be shown at 10:20pm on BBC One.
Player to watch...
Willian: The Brazilian has been a firm fixture in Maurizio Sarri’s starting XI all season and scored a beauty to clinch three points against Newcastle. The 30-year-old has played in all but one of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures, and has scored five goals in all competitions. With Eden Hazard playing up front in recent weeks, Willian and Pedro are Sarri’s preferred options out wide, keeping Callum Hudson-Odoi out of the team.
Form guide...
Arsenal: WDLWWL
Chelsea: WWDWLW
Odds...
Arsenal to win: 21/10
Chelsea to win: 11/8
Draw: 13/5
(Odds provided by Betfair)
45 minutes
Off the woodwork!
Chelsea win a subsequent second corner and Marcos Alonso overpowers Aaron Ramsey in the air, flicking to the far post where it kisses the outside of the post and rebounds away.
Chelsea win a free kick right on the edge of the area ten-or-so yards from the byline as two added minutes are signalled.
45 + 1 minutes
Headed away, and Arsenal press right back to Kepa.
45 + 2 minutes
A chance as the half closes, a Eden Hazard dummy freeing Pedro who in turn finds Willian.
The Brazilian cuts on to his right foot, but slices his shot out for a throw which won't be taken...
A fast start from Arsenal has carried them to an excellent first-half. Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea.
A superb half for Arsenal and Unai Emery. The switch back to the 4-3-1-2 has worked well, with Aaron Ramsey thriving in a free role.
Alexandre Lacazette took the first brilliantly, and Laurent Koscielny's shoulder delivered the second as Arsenal tormented Chelsea in the air throughout the half.
Conversely, Maurizio Sarri has some thinking to do. Arsenal have recognised Chelsea's lack of height and are content to pack the middle and let Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta have the ball in wide areas, safe in the knowledge that Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny would not be beaten in the air. The visitors have had 61% of possession, but nothing to show for it.
Marcos Alonso did hit the post on 45 minutes with a header from a corner, while Pedro went close with a loft over Bernd Leno, but Sarri must be at least considering Olivier Giroud.
Chelsea were out very early for the second half, Arsenal taking their time to saunter out of the tunnel.
No half-time changes. Anthony Taylor whistles and the second half is underway.
46 minutes
Jeers from the home crowd as Antonio Rudiger floats a pass ten yards into the stands.
Awful.
48 minutes
David Luiz finds Pedro with a sumptuous diagonal, but Hector Bellerin beats Willian to the Spaniards' far-post cross and Arsenal clear.
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