Arsenal peg back Chelsea in race for top four

In a fast paced capital derby, it was North that would outwit West to take the bragging rights; as Unai Emery's side showed more creativity and cutting edge to grab a crucial three points, from one of their closest challengers to a Champions League place for next season.

The hosts flew out of the blocks from the very first whistle, crowing the Chelsea players in possession and forcing them to make uncharacteristic mistakes. In particular, wingers Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved wicked in their pursuit of the ball, winning countless set pieces in dangerous attacking areas of the field. 

In contrast, visitors Chelsea hardly looked like getting going in the first half hour of the encounter. Talisman Eden Hazard was once more deployed as a false nine by Maurizzio Sarri; but in the midst of two very physical centre halves, the Belgian seemed to be crowded out more than he was able to create chances for his side. A lack of a recognised target man has been the 'Blues' undoing on many occasions this season, and thus it proved to be so on Saturday evening. 

As much as Chelsea have been lacking central options in attack, Arsenal have been basking in the consistency of their main striker, Alexandre Lacazette. In fact, the Frenchman was the man to step up and give his side the lead before the clock hit the quarter of an hour mark. A well worked short corner routine led to full back Bellerin driving a low cross into the area;  and, with neat close control, Lacazette swivelled on a sixpence and fired into the near top corner of the net. 

 

January 19, 2019

In spite of going behind in the game, conceding the opener only seemed to make doubt creep further into the minds of the Chelsea players. The 'Blues' did fleetingly enjoy a period of possession in the Arsenal half, yet without any central striker to aim for in the box,  the visitors seemed unable carve out any clear chances. 

Just as the match neared the interval, the hosts would extend their lead. This time, defender Laurent Koscielny stepped up to become the unlikely hero for his side. After an initial corner cross had been dealt with by Chelsea, Sokratis controlled the ball on the edge of the area, and picked out his defensive partner's run in the middle of the box. Koscielny then applied an unorthodox finish, a combination of his head and shoulder, to flick the ball into the far corner of the net. 

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The second half of this encounter was more tame than the end to end passing play that dominated the first. Arsenal, having already surmounted a two goal lead on their visitors, instead adopted a more pragmatic approach, looking to nullify the pace of Chelsea's attackers. On the other hand, it could be argued that the hosts were forced into playing in this manner, as Chelsea took it upon themselves to dominate the Lion's share of the play. 

Clearly, the visitors had been given a stern talking to by Maurizzio Sarri at the break. Yet even then, as the night drew on, it appeared to be 'one of those days' for the 'Blues'. The introductions of Olivier Giroud and Callum Hudson-Odoi in attack appeared to neither hinder nor help the side in their pursuit of at least a consolation goal. Indeed, it was not meant to be, as Maurizzio Sarri's side saw their lead in the race for fourth cut to just three points.

On the balance of play, the sides both fought well, but only one would demonstrate the necessary cutting edge to win the derby fixture. Unai Emery's side produced yet another scintillating performance against a capital rival, to blow the race for the top four, very much wide open.

 

January 19, 2019