WHAT A MATCH! Arsenal secured three points at the Emirates Stadium to keep their ‘top four’ hopes alive.
Alexandre Lacazette was on the mark in the 14th minute with bliss of touches to Hector Bellerin’ cross before beating Kepa Arrizabalaga on the turn on the near post.
The Gunners continued their pressuring upfront as Laurent ‘CAPTAIN’ Koscielny gave them the cushion in the 39th minute with a brilliant cross from Sokratis. It was not headed well as he wanted, though the end result was what they were after.
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS
Leno: Yes, Chelsea were on-front foot and did put some pressure on Arsenal’s defence, but Leno wasn’t tested too much – 6
Bellerin: Hector made his return into starting eleven after injury and he did Provide an assist for Lacazette’s first. But at times he looked caught in double mind into whether drive front or stay at the back. He was forced off in tears with an serious looking injury – 6
Sokratis: We brought him to make his presence felt and today was the perfect example of WHAT HE BRINGS to this side. He was strong, combative and kept his head when Chelsea threatened – 7
Koscielny: The Gooners across the globe were dying to watch him again in Arsenal colors and the skipper was high-handed tonight. He probably was between everything coming his way. Was guiding the team when in pressure and was back again on the scoresheet. After everything he has gone through, It feels very good to watch him smile once again – 8
Laurent Koscielny’s game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
100% tackles won
13 clearances
3 interceptions
2 shots on target
1 clean sheet
1 goalA masterclass from the Arsenal captain. 💪 pic.twitter.com/AIpndMuLtb
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 19, 2019
Kolasinac: Hulk, unlike Bellerin, was disciplined over attacks and defence. He had his runs forward but was set back marking other times – 7
Torreira: Lucas was the base of Emery’s midfield diamond and had a quite but rather impacting game. You just cannot overlook him, can you? – 7
Xhaka: After all criticisms from last weekend – Granit was one of the best performers of the night. On his work. Cool, Calm and composed – 7
Ramsey: WHY IS HE LEAVING FOR FREE? A question which needs to be answers especially after the performance he put in today. He was a surprise name in the starting eleven and it looked like he had one job, to follow and frustrate Jorginho. He just did that and always the web, Jorginho, was one of the quietest performers of the night – 8
Guendouzi: He made his mark in English football after his performance against Chelsea in the pre-season and was impressive against the mighty Blues once again – 7
Aubameyang: It was quiet game for Arsenal’s top scorer. But every Arsenal fan and especially Unai Emery will be pleased with his defensive efforts – 6
STAT OF THE DAY ✍️🔴 #AFC
Not that you don’t know already, Alexandre Lacazette has either scored or assisted in his Arsenal career against;
Atlético Madrid
Manchester City
Liverpool
Manchester United
Tottenham
Chelsea🎯 BIG. GAME. PLAYER.
We love you @LacazetteAlex pic.twitter.com/A5v3kZCZHH
— afcSource™ (@afcSource) January 19, 2019
Lacazette: You cannot just ignore the ruthless finish to start the derby, he was apparently everywhere. He hasn’t had many goals recently but when this man scores..he gets us talking – 7
REACTION
Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny, speaking to BT Sport: “Today we needed to win. We made a mistake last week [at West Ham] so today’s game was a six-pointer. If we lose we will be nine points [off Chelsea] and if we win the gap will be just three points.
“We’re still in the race for the top four. I think the commitment today was amazing from all the boys. We showed on the pitch which way we want to go together. It’s good to play like this because in football it’s not easy to win.
“I’m happy to score because it’s very important for the team. When we talk about clean sheets it’s not just about the defenders. Today we showed everyone we are together. The strikers worked hard too, which helps the rest of the team.”
Lacazette and Koscielny’s post match interview. #AFC #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/PyszclzAIa
— AFCMike (@AFCPW) January 19, 2019
Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette, who scored the game’s first goal, speaking to BT Sport: “We did what the coach asked of us. We worked and fought all game, so it’s good. It was not easy for us, but I’m happy to score and help the team.
“We are now three points from Chelsea so we are still in the race and we’ll fight until the end.”
Arsenal manager Unai Emery, speaking to BT Sport: “We wanted to win for our fans. The difference in the table [between ourselves and Chelsea] was six points, but this victory can help us be optimistic. We can be happy after today, but we need to take things game by game.
“We need to find the right balance at home and away. At home you can show all the supporters what you can do.
“The difference between last match and today’s game is very big, even with the same players, so we need to find that balance.”
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, speaking to BT Sport: “I’m really angry about the approach that we adopted today. You can find yourself in difficulties from time to time, but we need to react to those difficulties a lot better than we did today.
“It’s an approach we can’t really accept. It was the same in our game against Tottenham.
“We thought we’d overcome that problem, but it seems we really struggle to get ourselves up for these games at times. I don’t mind losing but I don’t like losing in this manner.”
“Arsenal’s organisation was the thing that impressed me most this evening.”
– Rio Ferdinand pic.twitter.com/BySLbo58J6
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) January 19, 2019
