Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal
It was thrilling, it was chaotic.
But let’s be honest: rarely has a Premier League clash between these two not been dramatic or controversial.
The added twist of two new managers in the dugout and some new faces on the field for an EPL heavyweight meeting were simply another source of intrigue for this teatime encounter.
With the first effort on goal inside 30 seconds – another new boy Kepa Arrizabalaga called into action by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the scene for another compelling encounter had been set.
Highlights of the game
Mesut Ozil also went close with a flick but, even in the early stages, Chelsea certainly seemed to have the edge, particularly in midfield with the N’Golo Kante-Jorginho combination looking very strong.
That feeling was enhanced just nine minutes in when Pedro finished a sweeping move to fire the hosts in front.
Jorginho played in Marcos Alonso, and his cross was coolly dispatched by his fellow countryman who was totally unmarked.
It was the perfect start on his home debut for boss Maurizio Sarri who has pledged to bring back the fun for his players with a focus on attacking football and creative passing after clear frustration – and success it should be said – during predecessor Antonio Conte’s final months in charge.
If Jorginho has made a good start to his Chelsea career, keeping Eden Hazard and Willian is probably the best bit of business Sarri has done since being appointed last month.
That showed in the opening stages as the Brazilian, clearly unhappy last term, looked more like his usual self.
SBOBET fans of Eden Hazard may have been surprised the Belgian had not returned to the starting line-up but Sarri was justified in naming an unchanged side after their opening victory over Huddersfield.
The contest was actually was summed up within another 11 minutes.
First, Aubameyang lashed the ball over from close range after Hector Bellerin had got the better of Alonso and when it seemed he was certain to equalise.
Then, almost immediately, Alvaro Morata grabbed the goal he so badly craved after a barren spell, running onto Cesar Azpilicueta’s long ball and holding off Shkodran Mustafi before rolling the ball past a helpless Petr Cech.
Chelsea had scored with their first two efforts on target, Arsenal had wastefully failed to take advantage of theirs.
Arsenal had showed resilience in this fixture last season and indeed were a bit of a bogey for Chelsea, frustrating them at Stamford Bridge, grabbing a last-gasp equaliser in the return fixture, and then knocking them out of the League Cup semi-finals.
But this was quite the opposite.
If there was any doubt why a top-four finish will be difficult, here was proof for the heir to Arsene Wenger.
A combination of profligacy in attack, coupled with defensive chaos.
To prove the point, after Aubameyang missed a sitter for what would have been his 150th league goal in the top five European leagues, team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan soon followed suit, blazing a gilt-edged opportunity wide.
Arsenal’s race was seemingly run.
How wrong we were.
Mkhitaryan made amends nine minutes before the break with a shot from the edge of the box which Arrizabalaga was unable to keep out.
Then, after Cech pushed a piledriver from Morata over the bar, Alex Iwobi brought the Gunners level from a Mkhitaryan cutback to silence three quarters of Stamford Bridge.
A thrilling, tireless first half saw Aubamenyang at the heart of the action again, scuffing a shot wide when he should have scored.
Perhaps there was little surprise that the second period didn’t quite live up to the first – even though there may have been more goals aplenty but for offside flags and fine saves.
The final word went to Alonso – one of the most underrated players in the league – after Hazard produced his magic from the bench and was no less than what the home side deserved.
True, the fixture computer has not been kind to Unai Emery and his new charges after they opened up against the reigning champions before this trip to the 2017 champions.
It is also easy to forget their away form was extremely poor – they only picked up 16 points on the road last season, fewer than 10 other clubs including Crystal Palace, Southampton and Bournemouth.
Improved Premier League 2018 results will come, but Arsenal need time to settle and will not feature as possible title contenders in the Premier League 2018 odds.
Key statistics
The Gunners have now lost eight of their last nine away league games, with their only win coming at Huddersfield on the final day of last season.
Arsenal took six points from their matches against the top five last season out of a possible 30.
The last time Arsenal lost their first two matches of the season came in the inaugural Premier League campaign (1992-93) when they were defeated by Norwich and Blackburn.
Chelsea have won six of their last seven home league games against Arsenal, with the exception being last season’s goalless draw.
Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley was the only English player of the 22 to start the
match.
What’s next?
Potentially, it could get a little more straightforward for Arsenal.
After the City-Chelsea double header, the Gunners now welcome West Ham to the Emirates to be followed by a trip to newly promoted Cardiff before the international break.
Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Newcastle – a venue where they have often struggled – before entertaining Bournemouth on September 1.
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