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As it happenedended

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

Harry Latham-Coyle,Kieran Jackson
Saturday 19 January 2019 13:41 EST
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Premier League preview: Arsenal v Chelsea

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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.

Willian has kept Callum Hudson-Odoi out of the Chelsea side
Willian has kept Callum Hudson-Odoi out of the Chelsea side (Getty)

Form guide...

Arsenal: WDLWWL

Chelsea: WWDWLW

Odds...

Arsenal to win: 21/10

Chelsea to win: 11/8

Draw: 13/5

(Odds provided by Betfair)

52 minutes

David Luiz is alert as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks to knock it past him and go, showing a good turn of pace to get to the ball first and pass back to Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:41

53 minutes

Willian cuts onto his right boot, but, rather characterising Chelsea's evening so far, strikes his effort for the far corner against the underlapping Marcos Alonso, and it will be a goal kick.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:42

55 minutes

Lovely from Alexandre Lacazette, nutmegging a Chelsea player as he carries the ball clear from danger in his own half and leaves the ball for Granit Xhaka.

Maurizio Sarri is furious on the touchline and remonstrating with his players. 

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:44

56 minutes

Willian turns Lucas Torreira inside and out and cuts back to the edge of the box.

Pedro has moved into space in the 'D' with Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka nowhere, and should do far better on his left foot, firing over the bar.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:46

57 minutes

Firm sliding tackle from Sokratis on Willian, tracking back and earning a goal kick as he knock it against the Brazilian.

A celebratory punch of the air. Passion.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:46

59 minutes

Eden Hazard deftly plays Mateo Kovacic in with a reverse pass but the Croatian midfielder finds only Laurent Koscielny's chest, and Marcos Alonso tamely cuts the daisies as his resulting shot trickles wide.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:48

60 minutes

Pressure beginning to build.

Chelsea are starting to challenge the Arsenal defence consistently, but Willian's speculative drive is deflected and carries through to Bernd Leno.

Ross Barkley is being readied...

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:50

62 minutes

A lovely exchange down the left from Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette results in the Frenchman moving beyond Jorginho, and the midfield pivot fouls him.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:51

Here comes Ross Barkley. Mateo Kovacic trots off.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:51

64 minutes

Twice Arsenal could score!

Sead Kolasinac has Lucas Torreira waiting for a tap in but feints and carries the ball further, cutting back from the byline but not finding a teammate.

Aaron Ramsey subsequently stabs against Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:53

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