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)
Arsenal's striking duo kick the game off from the centre spot.
1 minute
Arsenal's formation is a 4-3-1-2, with Aaron Ramsey ahead of Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi (right-to-left).
Two early uncomfortable moments for Chelsea as David Luiz and Jorginho give the ball away in their own area, but they have just about enough bodies back and survive.
2 minutes
David Luiz clatters into Lucas Torreira in a right win g position and despite his protests is whistled for a free kick by Anthony Taylor.
Granit Xhaka swings it in, but Kepa Arrizabalaga comes confidently to punch away.
3 minutes
N'Golo Kante moves nicely past Granit Xhaka, who is so fortunate not to be booked as he hauls him back to prevent the Frenchman moving away.
It is early, but that was a bookable offence.
4 minutes
What a chance for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang!
Alexandre Lacazette moves out to the right and gets his head up.
He threads his cross perfectly into the channel between defence and goalkeeper, curling it away from Kepa and into Aubamaeyang's path, but the Gabonese striker fails to produce any real purchase on the ball under challenge from Cesar Azpilicueta and the ball harmlessly trickles out of play for a goal kick.
A let-off for Chelsea.
6 minutes
This has been a very promising start from Arsenal, who are using their shape nicely.
Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin are two attacking full-backs, and the former combines with Aaron Ramsey (in a very free role) to win a corner.
7 minutes
Played short, and Granit Xhaka's deflected cross earns another chance to deliver.
Sead Kolasinac swings it to the far post and Sokratis leaps well over Mateo Kovacic, but the Greek defender's header is wide of the mark.
Two early chances for Arsenal.
9 minutes
Chelsea haven't really found their footing as of yet in this game, but they do have their first extended spell of possession here.
Eventually the ball is worked out to Cesar Azpilicueta in space down the right and Eden Hazard has ghosted past Sokratis, and should really do better on the volley from the skipping cross, side-footing wide of the near post sweeping across his body with his right boot.
11 minutes
Hector Bellerin is fortunate as he tries to dribble out of a tight corner, just about sliding the ball away from a trio of Chelsea attackers bearing down on him after a loose touch.
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