Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Subs: Cech, Monreal, Mustafi, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Ozil, Iwobi
—
Arsenal showed a response to their recent poor form as goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny gave them a 2-0 win at the Emirates this evening – cutting the gap to the top four to just 3 points.
To counter the recent poor form, Unai Emery reverted to a back four, brought Aaron Ramsey into the team and included Mesut Ozil in the squad.
The Gunners started brightly, forcing the visitors into errors around their own box, and should have gone ahead in the fourth minute. Bellerin played it down the line to Lacazette, he squared it for Aubameyang who was just 6 yards out but somehow failed to make contact.
Sokratis headed a Xhaka cross wide a couple of minutes later, while at the other end Eden Hazard had a good sight of goal but put his first time effort wide.
There was another glorious chance for Arsenal to go ahead when Koscielny met a Torreira free kick, his header hit Arrizabalaga who knew nothing about it and it went over for a corner. From the subsequent set-piece, and another corner, we eventually took the lead.
Bellerin put in a low cross from the right, Lacazette took a lovely touch, another, then slammed it in from a really tight angle to make it 1-0.
Aubameyang then robbed Azpilicueta, went through, turned inside, shot but hit it straight at the keeper, before Pedro almost equalised after being put through by a fine Luiz pass. He attempted to lob Leno, succeeded, but saw the ball drop just wide of the post.
Chelsea responded well to going behind, forcing the Arsenal defence to work hard to keep them out. Jorginho shot over from outside the box, and after a frenetic opening 25 minutes the game settled down a little bit.
Ramsey had a pop from distance, again Arrizabalaga was equal to it, and the Arsenal lead was almost doubled in the 36th minute. Kolasinac burst down the left, put in a great cross, and Aubameyang’s acrobatic effort went just wide.
Luiz picked up a yellow card for a foul on Ramsey, and it was a costly foul to make as it led to Arsenal’s second goal. Torreira took the free kick, Kolasinac headed it back to Sokratis who looped a cross into the box, Koscielny stopped to head the ball home, missed it with his head but it hit off his shoulder and looped in to make it 2-0.
As the half came to a close Alonso hit the post with a header from a corner, and we had to deal with a dangerous free kick conceded on the edge of our box, but defensive commitment was 100%.
There were no changes by either manager at the break, and the visitors started well, dominating possession and making life difficult for the Gunners. Good play by Willian created a chance for Pedro who skied his shot over the bar, the Brazilian had a shot blocked himself, and Chelsea made their first change with Barkley replacing Kovacic in the 63rd minute.
Kolasinac found himself in behind after good work from Lacazette but his cutback was intercepted, and there was a chance for Bellerin to cross for Ramsey and Lacazette but he took a touch and saw his ball across put behind for a corner which came to nothing.
Unai Emery made his first changes in the 68th minute, bringing off Ramsey and Lacazette for Iwobi and Maitland-Niles, but immediately he was forced into another when Hector Bellerin went down with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. The Spaniard was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Mohamed Elneny.
Olivier Giroud returned to his old ground to try and get his new club back into it, and Chelsea dominated possession as the Bellerin injury sapped even more of the energy from the team and the crowd. Hazard shot over with his left foot, and Sarri made his final change sending on Hudson-Odoi for Pedro.
Torreira went down with cramp, Elneny shot over after good work from Iwobi, and the game went into 6 minutes of additional time with Chelsea still more or less on top but without really causing Leno any problems.
The defensive commitment of the Arsenal players helped protect their keeper, with interceptions, tackles and clearances galore. Barkley got booked for a foul on Guendouzi, but there was no way through for the visitors.
Two goals, a clean sheet, and crucially three points. Well done lads!
Oh my god that was tense. A brilliant win but the whole Bellerin thing really put a downer on it. Hope he’s not out for too long. I don’t think I can endure 4 months of Lichsteiner at RB
Emery excellent tactics attacking wise for a team thats didnt start with a conventional winger. Koscielny – For is temporary class is permenant. Shout out to Laca and Auba weve get the best stike partnership on the league . Xhaka – what a leader we have leads by example on.the pitch. So much passion. I hope bellerin.comes back soon.
Forget about deliveroo forget about uber eat for just eat Arsenals players delivered today
Well done lads. Well done Emery. Hope Bellerin is okay.
Right players, right positions, right result.
I criticized Unai’s tatics in the last games, but today he nailed it, specifically picking Ramsey to man marking Jorginho.
PS.: Why on Earth Kolasinac is afraid to shoot on goal? He always there inside the box, but repeatedly tries to cut back.
PS2.: Please stop hauling Laca off at 70′.
I would say kola has has so much success with that move that he chose it out of habit, and laca seems like his engine isn’t as good as say 19 y/o guendozis, personally I liked us bringing on wingers that completely changed our shape, maintained an attacking threat and added slightly more defensive protection.
Laca and Ramsey were very tired from the high press. Their substitutions were preplanned and were given specific instructions to use all energy. Same tactic was used vs spudz with Iwobi and miki.
If fans don’t understand basic football, then at least they shut it with the pathetic ‘booo’ s.
#Toxic
Well said!
Not to mention that at the end of these matches defending our lead those are the counter attacks we have to concentrate on with fresh and/or speedy ballers…
Hahahahahahaha in a single sentence complains about “toxic “ while at the same time being toxic!
But in all seriousness, heard the stadium boos at the Fulham match and agree, not called for.
i thought the gooners were cheering for giroooooooud when he came on instead of booing when laca went off
Were they saying “boo” or “Boo-urns”?
Laca and Rambo were the best players on the pitch, I think that’s why there might have been boos when they were subbed. I have to admit that I was worried a bit when we subbed them off. It all worked out and a massive 3 points!
Laca works so hard pressing from the front I think taking him off was reasonable tbh, especially with Aubas pace on the break
He’s our one really reliable striker in the middle. I say, please keep taking him off and keep him fit for the season haha.
Not happy about bellerin injury but I think this was better than 4-2 against spurs
From a defensive point of view I entirely agree. Could to see a central defence working for once.
When we desperately needed a result, the team delivered. Well played, boys, well played!
Also hope the Bellerin injury isn’t too serious, but have to say I’m very worried by the way he went down. Key player for us.
Couldn’t quiet decide whether Hazard was in Kos’s pocket or Sokratis’s pocket…
I will quitely leave the room now
I think Hazard is quietly leaving the room now too..
Now that was the Koscielny we know. Bossed that defence with Papa. Papa Kos
PapastathopoulKos
PapaKos I like it!
More of a team effort in my opinion. We identified the threat and deat it with togetherness
They were both really great but I personally loved big Larry’s performance. I didn’t think he’d ever even play for us again
I think we can thank Sarri for insisting on playing Hazard as a false nine; they were much more dangerous when Hazard played out left and started coming in. I like to see Kante out of position too; it’s easier to deal with him as a decent attacking midfielder rather than watch him run all over his half of the pitch breaking up every Arsenal attack.
I don’t really care much about Chelsea: my point is that tactics have to be adapted to the strengths of your best players. In case any managers I do care about are listening.
Pro performance. 10/10 for every player out there today, they played their hearts out and did us all proud. Hope Bellerin gets well soon, I was just wondering how much more zip he gives us as we progress from Leno to further up the pitch
We have an excellent coach. He makes mistakes now and then, sure, he’s not perfect.
But I trust if he got the support he deserves from the club, he’ll take us forward.
and here we go again ???
this was always my opinion, I’m that fickle to turn on the coach because he benched player X or Y. That’s pathetic.
*NOT that fickle
Red-Sky 2 Ozil Army 0.
With Ozil it would have been 2-1
So, you’re giving someone points for walking into a happy room and starting a fight. Classy.
Koscielny was immense! We’ve missed you Lolo
The smiles, as he left the pitch!! Love him!
He was fantastic but I think the way Chelsea played helped as well, they had no focal point and they never tried to make it physical outside of set pieces. We’ve struggled when teams have stretched us with balls in the half spaces, dragging out CBs into uncomfortable areas. Didn’t happen today, and actually I’m not sure Chelsea had a shot on target all game.
I agree, but it was still a good win. Chelsea without a target man (e.g. Drogba, Costa) especially with a handicapped Hazard (by playing him cemtrally) are less of a danger to us I suspect the game would have been more difficult if Giroud was on for longer.
Side issue… but why the fuck did Giroud feel the need to pat the badge on his shirt at the end of the game?? Pretty classless I thought
Sorry, but no mustafi, no problem.
Don’t be sorry, I think it is a very valid comment. There would have been at least one huge mistake with him about.
Where are those who didn’t want to see him in Arsenal shirt again ?
He’s gonna be perfectly serviceable for another season, specially if we don’t get into the CL. If we do get in and decide to spend on other areas, we should still get him a one year deal on less wages than his current contract. In a year, Holding would have made a recovery and gained match fitness(hopefully no reinjuries) and Mavropanos will also see Game time. By the summer of 2020, We’ll have a more experienced Holding, Mavropanos, and Chambers combined with the experience of Sokratis.
We’ve got our Arsenal back!
Emery in?
He didn’t play Ozil, that’s why you get voted down.
He proved again he can win top 6 games without him lol.
to be fair Chelsea were off par
What has being fair got to do with it?
Red-Sky 3 Ozil Army 0.
We proved last year we can win at home. We also proved we can lose and draw to crap teams away.
A victory AND a clean sheet. That’s three really impressive home performances this season against our main rivals. Things aren’t quite so bleak after all.
So happy that we managed to rise up to the occasion & won the game that had to be won!
Now let’s take on Solskjær’s merry boys – win that and the bad mood from last weeks will be completely overturned!
Big shout out to our CBs tonight. Koscielny has come a long way in a short time since that Southampton game.
Also worried Bellerin’s injury might force us to revert to back three. 🙁
Anything rather than Lichsteiner!
Performances like this, against Spurs and Liverpool make me believe we just have a motivation problem. Hopefully by next season, the entire squad will be on board with Emery ball.
Also, Kosc finally looks to be back. Rolled back the years.
Concerned though that it wasn’t there for WHU, Southampton, Brighton – we need to be up for every game on this league.
Credit to fans too for prolonged Giroud song as he warmed up.
Happy with the win and with a clean sheet to boot
Liked what i see in the first half
But the second though …do we need to be so cautious with the subs and formation that we gave up all creativity and allowed the visitor complete dominance in attack?
Great win. But seriously FUCK beinSPORT for showing mourinho until the 60th minute instead of actually showing the game. Was considering terminating my subscribtion on the spot.
Oh god, was he allowed into the stadium?
Guendouzi? Pfft – God!
This is a compliment by the way. Namaste!
Emery is obviously not perfect but there have been enough big performances like this for me to put my faith in him. This season was never likely to be smooth but there are hints of better things ahead.
Hopefully the Totts can get dragged back into a 4 way scrap for the last 2 CL spots.
Well played all.
Great result but why aren’t we breaking the bank for Rambo!
He always said he wanted to play abroad, who can blame him.
Your move, Özil fanboys.
P.s.- I’ve long learnt to not expect a serious consistent reaction from Özil himself other than his PR reactions ofcourse
Well Dan what a sad comment after a great performance.
As insignificant as it might be, someone needs to offset the millions he might spend on PR to put brand Özil in a positive light now don’t we?
Possession stats in the second half would have been better with Mesut on… and he would have provided an assist for the third?
Yes because that has been the norm the past couple of years, hasn’t it ?
Well Mr. Dan Troll – troll yourself
He saved so many games last year and the year before our great match winner, right ?
Anyone that uses the expression fanboys just shows complete ignorance.
There’s always one, isn’t there.
Three by my count, but yeah, unfortunately.
Good solid performance with some outstanding contributions especially from Kos, the boss is back.
Great team performance, well done boys.
Koscielny channeling Danny welbecks finishing technique
No look finish with his shoulder. Absolute sauce.
?
In fairness, their keeper saved his technically perfect header a bit earlier. So, like Danny, he had to think of something else.
Really proud of the boys for a special and professional job they’ve done today to give us a shout in the top 4. But that brings me to a reflection that had we kept this level of concentration and commitment to the task at more irregular points in the season we would have been more comfortable going into the next part of the season.
Onwards and upwards, hopefully we can see this performance as a benchmark and propel ourselves on the pitch
Well now we’ve got Kos the boss back. That changes a lot
A moment of quality from Lacazette to reslly settle our confidence and put us in control. And 3 defenders and a DM combining for the 2nd! Total Football.
I liked stacking the midfield. More of that please!
Lacazette’s was a really top-class striker’s finish. He did two or three pretty difficult things, did them very quickly, and bang. Really top-class.
I don’t know if Hector mis- hit the cross(I will say he didn’t!), but Laca’s first touch was perfect.
Kolasinac needs to have a pop once in a while. The cut backs are nice, but not every single time. He’s been effectively one-on-one with the keeper three games in a row now, I think.
Maybe he could ask Laca for some lessons on near-post shooting?
Emery Ou- oh wait, we won? Nice 🙂 Just goes to show what can happen when you play (more or less) your best players, in a formation that actually makes sense. Notable mention goes to Aaron Ramsey, my joint MOTM alongside Lacazette, for putting on a masterclass in taking someone out of a game. Jorginho never got out of his pocket in the first half, and he was irrepressible linking midfield to attack, setting the tempo, and keeping the pressure on. Why we’re letting this boy walk away on a free I’ll never know… Second half we were more conservative,… Read more »
I’d almost forgotten just how good Koscielny can be. Great performance!
Need to see him do that against a real number 9 rather than the fake ones employed by Chelski but was very happy with his performance today.
I’m amazingly not surprised we won but surprised by the way we won. Keep it up lads!
I’m so happy Kosh is back to his best. He makes all the difference at the back.
Ramsey is a professional that loves Arsenal. If he did’t he would’t put in the effort he does. Thank you Aaron.
I’m devastated for Bellerin. Let’s hope it’s not to bad. He was outstanding today and we need him badly.
Well, looks like we can play. The intensity in the first half was fantastic, front 3 pressed superbly. Bellerin makes such a difference, I hope his injury isn’t too serious, but Maitland Niles has to play ahead of the fossil Lichtsteiner if he’s going to out for a while. Kudos to Emery he got this one spot on. A word on Koscielny and Sokratis – They were brilliant, espcially Koscienly who was everywhere and put his body and balls at one point on the line. KEEP THIS UP ARSENAL.
I really wish people here would stop insulting players they don’t like. It makes reading the comments a painful process. Express your opinions, by all means, but be respectful.
Calling someone a fossil is hardly ripping his heart out is it? Lighten up man we’ve just won a crucial match.
Yeah just say it like it is. Litchsteiners shit end of.
Let me get you a tampon to wipe your tears
Top performance from the boys, but the Bellerin injury worries me. The way he went down signals a serious knee injury. The season might be gone. Lichtsteiner is not an sustainable option, I think Emery need a replacement here
I thought it was an ankle twist. Fingers crossed it’s nothing to rule him out for long. Outstanding performance from him
It was a performance as good as any in recent times. Full of soul. Really sorry for bellerin. I hope he recovers soon. And really would like to see Özil on the pitch despite the result Today
An impressive defensive performance , koss especially bossed it.
Bellerin injury makes the victory hollow for me though.
Showed his pace today , tackled well , had the zip in his passing. Seemed like he would really kick on to another level with more games. But I suppose this brings things to a grinding halt.
Incredible defensive discipline. Kos was immense and Socrates was a beast too. Great team effort from Auba and Laca all the way to the back line.
Apparently, Koscielny needed 1,2 games to get back to his best after a long absence..
Kos and Sok partnership is awesome.
I really don’t have any good feeling about letting Ramsey leave….
Koc put the team on his shoulders. Ez win
Today the bottle of meths in Sarri’s top drawer is half empty, not half full.
As piss poor as we were last week we were excellent today.
Hoping for the best with Bellerin.
Since we apparently can’t buy anyone, seems like it’s time to use Maitland-Niles exclusively at right back for the rest of the season. Next year he can go back to playing on the wing or at midfield, but we need him at right back now.
Hopefully nothing is serious with Bellerin. Jenkinson or Maitland Niles in the meantime?
What a relief!
Well done gunners
That Barclay tackle looked shocking, red card for me all day long
Not to mention Alonso getting all slap happy out there. Refs, and the FA retrospectively if need be, need to start punishing diving and protecting players from real issues like this.
https://mobile.twitter.com/DelPixro/status/1086703859718909952
This looks very very bad.
I saw the starting frame and refused to hit the play button.
Get well soon Hector.
What a difference a week makes! From a pathetic, clueless performance at the London Stadium to a defensively solid but attacking display today. We defended really well and made plenty of good chances. The game was won by two completely different goals: one brilliant and one jammy. We should have had the game won inside the first 20 minutes. Auba (who had a poor game) missed a sitter then another good chance later one. And Sok headed at their keeper when it was easier to score. Poor final balls later in the game prevented us from increasing the lead. But… Read more »
Offensively yes Auba was off but he did his work tracking back and made some well timed tackles to save our bacon which is great to see. If your bread and butter ain’t working instead of hanging your head you find a way you can help your team. Great professional!
He’s. Striker: scoring is his main job.
Anyone who says we’re not a completely different team than under Wenger needs there eyes tested, there’s no way we would have ever played with that intensity.
Jeez, the great man is gone, no need for the side winders, show some respect. We won ffs!. Despite your snide comment, he still remains the most successful Arsenal manager of all time, and one of the most successful in premier league history. Emery has just won a match, for which we are all happy but not a trophy. Go back and look at Arsenal trophy cabinet, and come back here and apologise. Premier league is the toughest league in the world, If Emery can in the long run achieve even a quarter of what the man you are dissing… Read more »
Don’t try and talk me down as it won’t work. Only last week this board was full of comments about how they can’t see the difference from last season, only a blind person could make that claim. There’s a clear improvement in intensity and organisation, not every week but often enough to see that it’s being worked on. What Emery has had no control over is the squad he’s been left, which isn’t good enough to consistently get results but over the next few transfer windows hopefully that will change. It’s so nice to see that we’re being a proper… Read more »
John C. Cunty as always.
A Prick as always
There may be a clear improvement in intensity and organisation, but the results–at home–are about the same (a little worse, actually). There has been some improvement away (where we were awful last season), though not nearly enough yet to assure a top four, let alone to contend. No matter how much you hate Wenger, that is what the numbers actually show.
I know what the numbers show, Emery needs to be given time to rebuild the squad, first to top four standard and then into contenders.
I know some people quickly forget but Wenger constructed this squad and finished 10 points off top 4 last season.
Sorry, it was 12 off 4th and 37 off top. In fact we were closer relegation than becoming champions!
Well Paul Merson can eat shit as a result..
I felt much more confident after Merse predicted Chelski win – much like v Liverpool and Spuds.
What is it with these ex Arsenal players? Cunts like Dixon and Merson are always criticising Arsenal. You don’t get that same level of shit from ex-players of other clubs. It’s a bloody joke!!!
Maybe it upsets them to see the club not competing after their highly successful careers with the club?
Our defense has improved brilliantly. Can’t help but noticed the defensive work rate shown by Auba & Laca. I think Chelsee might have underestimated us a little bit and they got paid for that..kind of waited for Papa to do something with that dirty douch bag Alonso, but he was too busy performing his defensive duties.
Well Arsed!
Can we please pretend we’re playing Sp#ds and Ch#ls#a every week?
Emerys is the wrong coach for Arsenal. Arsenal can’t defend. Where’s the player that can deliver the final ball? Why is özil on the bench? Emery doesn’t play our star player because he is a bad coach. Why did he change the formation again? Bellerin got injured because of Emerys lack of rotation. Kos is past it. Our CBs are crap. Only Arsenal would buy Sokratis, an old slow CB who isn’t good enough for Dortmund. Why did Mislintat only buy Dortmund players?Mikitarian is crap. According to Ornsten it was a swap deal presented by miki and Alexis agent, but… Read more »
Wow..seems like you already have that in your draft for so long and waiting for the right moment like this to hit post comment button..
You’d think taking so long to write a paragraph here or there might not have gone a stray..
Was that comment about tonight’s 2-0 win over Chelsea?
So nice of you to come around and insult fellow supporters Espen. Shows real class.
This is not ment as an insult. It’s Just a compliation of comments and opinions in media, on this and other arsenal blogs and pods. And still we won. Sorry about wonkers ? if that offended you.
What’s next a Phil Collin”s compilation tape?
Not meant as an insult? Really? Folks come around here to discuss and share opinions on their favorite club and the sport. People have different opinions. People disagree. Sometimes a lot. Opinions change over time and when events change. I don’t give a fuck about the language, and scarce few things in that list apply to me, so I don’t need an apology. But you might want to consider sharing and discussing your opinions rather than just mocking others for having them. As for the media, opposition, and pundits, Yeah, they’re wankers. But let’s not mock fellow Gooners for simply… Read more »
I’m sure he is referring to the people who like to just whine and complain, which is more than quite a few to be honest
Great game. Great result. Delighted I put concerns aside and watched, shouted and danced!
Chelsea is a tired team, with tired key players. If we can’t finish ahead of hem, we have missed a great opportunity.
Thought that was our best team starting today (could substitute Iwobi for Lacazette to come on off the bench or Monreal in and start rather than Sead but its marginal) and they delivered. They worked hard and it payed off. The two CBs were both brilliant and switching to a back 4 gave us so much more control and cover in midfield.
I will be annoyed that overhead kick didn’t go in for the next week. Well done boys.
What I do find interesting – Sarri being slated by the Chelsea fans for sticking with his style of play and not being pragmatic enough, Emery criticised for not imposing a style of play. No subtle comment being made here, i think its a complex issue on both sides but just found it interesting.