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)
85 minutes
Mohamed Elneny receives an inside pass from Alex Iwobi, but the Egyptian slices his shot over Kepa's crossbar.
88 minutes
Chelsea running out of time, and they aren't exactly pressing for a goal.
Arsenal looking very content at the moment.
90 minutes
Hector Bellerin's injury means there will be six additional minutes.
90 + 2 minutes
Dejected looks on the faces right across the Chelsea playing squad and staff as another forward pass is misplaced.
Time is running out.
90 + 4 minutes
High-fives from the Arsenal centre-halves as they put out the fire on another Chelsea attack.
Matteo Guendouzi is caught by a sliding Ross Barkley. A first booking of the season for the midfielder.
Three points for Arsenal. A superb defensive performance to shut down Chelsea and secure a 2-0 home win.
Unai Emery won the battle of the tactics, playing a narrow system to pack the central areas of the pitch, sitting deep and conceding possession to limit Chelsea's clear chances. Arsenal were content to let Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta have the ball in wide areas, knowing they'd have no-one to cross to, and a fast start meant they were always playing with a lead.
Emery's side shut the game down superbly in the last half-hour, too. A very professional performance, with centre-half pairing Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny particular standouts.
Chelsea's lack of a trusted striker cost them. The front-three were entirely ineffective, and Olivier Giroud did little to change things in 25 minutes from the bench.
Is Gonzalo Higuain their only hope? Maurizio Sarri's commitment to his system is admirable, but could he consider an alteration if their goalscoring woes continue?
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