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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)

65 minutes

Again!

The other full-back this time. Hector Bellerin is offside but not flagged and has his striking duo waiting for the cross, but delays it long enough that Chelsea recover and slide behind for the corner.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:54

66 minutes

Magnificent block from Laurent Koscielny, getting his body in front of Ross Barkley's drive and taking it in a rather uncomfortable area.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:56

67 minutes

Two changes for Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey are replaced by Alex Iwobi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

And here comes Olivier Giroud, finally. Willian is substituted.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:57

69 minutes

Oh no!

Hector Bellerin's leg gives out and he's down in some bother.

Non-contact, which is very worrying. The stretcher is coming on. He's only just back from injury...

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 18:58

71 minutes

An awful sight as Hector Bellerin is carried off the pitch on the orange stretcher.

Mohamed Elneny will replace him, which may mean Ainsley Maitland-Niles moves into the right back berth.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 19:00

74 minutes

Eden Hazard drills one across the six-yard box but it evades both Olivier Giroud and Pedro.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 19:03

76 minutes

Pedro attempts to challenge Ainsley Maitland-Niles (who has indeed moved to right-back) but the youngster has support from Sokratis and Anthony Taylor signals for a goal kick, much to the Spaniard's chagrin.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 19:06

77 minutes

Eden Hazard drives at the Arsenal defence but Granit Xhaka forces him inside onto his left foot, and with the support not there the Belgian shoots.

High and wide.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 19:07

79 minutes

Naughty from Marcos Alonso.

He appears to poke at Ainsley Maitland-Niles' eye off the ball from a corner.

Lucky. Anthony Taylor didn't spot it.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is, of course, Chelsea's predictable final roll of the dice. Pedro is replaced.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 19:09

82 minutes

Chelsea starting to launch their late challenge, but Arsenal are withheld and have plenty of men packing their own box.

Resolute so far.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 January 2019 19:11

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