Chelsea stun Arsenal with two goals within the final seven minutes at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal suffered a late collapse as Chelsea came from behind to say a dramatic 2-1 win in Mikel Arteta's first game responsible for the Gunners. Arsenal appeared to get on course for victory at the Emirates Stadium as they went into the closing stages a goal up because of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's early header, but a glaring error from Bernd Leno allowed Jorginho to equalize from Mason Mount's place kick within the 83rd minute then, three minutes from time, Arsenal were caught on the counter-attack, with Tammy Abraham converting from Willian's cut-back to finish an interesting turnaround ahead of the stunning home fans. It was a crushing outcome for the Gunners, who was outstanding for the opening half-hour before Chelsea fought their way back to the sport, clinching a late victory that consolidates their position within the top four and leaves Arteta to attend for his first win as head coach.
How Chelsea roared back to win
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| Jorginho celebrates scoring against Arsenal |
Arsenal overwhelmed Chelsea within the opening stages, with Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette setting the tone by ferociously pressing the visitors high the pitch as Reiss Nelson tormented Emerson on the proper flank and David Luiz tested Kepa Arrizabalaga with an early free-kick.
There was one early scare for the hosts at the opposite end when Leno - his vision impaired by the sun - was forced into a scrambling save by Mount, but within a couple of minutes of that Chelsea chance, Arsenal had the lead their electrifying start deserved. Mesut Ozil's corner was flicked on by Calum Chambers at the near post, and Aubameyang was alive in Chelsea's six-yard box, escaping Emerson to go beyond Arrizabalaga for his 12th Premier League goal of the season.
Arsenal continued to tear into their opponents then, with the reinvigorated Ozil picking their defense apart and mixing beautifully with Aubameyang, Lacazette, and Nelson, whose speed and directness left Chelsea with little choice but to foul them repeatedly.
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| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Arsenal an early lead |
The hosts lost Chambers to an injury midway through the half, with Shkodran Mustafi replacing him, but their dominance continued, prompting Lampard to form an early change, hauling off Emerson for Jorginho within the 34th minute and abandoning Chelsea's back three.
Jorginho gave Chelsea greater control in midfield, but Arsenal's compact defensive shape made it difficult to interrupt down and that they continued to threaten on the break, too, with Aubameyang sending one diagonal shot into the side netting from a Bukayo Saka pass shortly before half-time. Chelsea looked much more threatening after the break, however, with N'Golo Kante sending an early effort narrowly wide and Leno almost landing Arsenal in trouble with a loose pass in his own half soon then.
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| Lucas Torreira vies with Mateo Kovacic at the Emirates |
Arsenal's defensive resolve was epitomized by Luiz when he produced an impressive last-ditch block to deny Abraham after he had been played through on goal by teenage substitute Tariq Lamptey, who had been thrown on for his debut. Arsenal substitute Joe Willock then fired narrowly wide at the opposite end, but shortly then the Emirates Stadium was stunned into silence when Leno misjudged the flight of Mount's place kick, allowing Jorginho - who had been fortunate to avoid a second yellow card earlier within the half - to end into an empty net from three yards out.
The Gunners poured forward in search of a winner, but instead, they were caught out on the break, with Willian cutting the ball back for Abraham, who kept his composure to attain his 12th Premier League goal of the season and prompt wild celebrations ahead of the away end.
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea in the Premier League.
Team news
Arsenal will welcome back Calum Chambers from suspension for Sunday's Premier League clash with London rivals Chelsea. Defender Chambers missed the Boxing Day draw at Bournemouth having picked up his fifth top-flight booking of the season. Gabriel Martinelli is going to be assessed on the hamstring injury which kept him sidelined at the Vitality Stadium, while Rob Holding (knee), Sead Kolasinac (ankle) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) are absent.
Chelsea full-backs Marcos Alonso and Reece James are going to be given last-minute fitness checks before the short trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Alonso and James both omitted on the Blues' 2-0 home loss to Southampton on Boxing Day through injury and can be handed late fitness tests.
Boss Frank Lampard could rotate resources again to combat the festive fixture glut, with Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic possibly restored to the starting line-up.
Opta stats
Arsenal has won two of their last three Premier League home games against Chelsea (D1), as many as that they had in their previous 12 against the Blues (D5 L5).
Chelsea lost this exact fixture 2-0 in January - they've not lost consecutive league games against Arsenal since October 2011, while they last lost back-to-back away league games against them in October 2003 (a run of three).
Arsenal hasn't lost a Premier League game against Chelsea when they've scored the primary goal, winning 11 and drawing four of their 15 such games.
Arsenal lost their final league game of 2018, 5-1 against Liverpool. They've not lost their last league game in consecutive calendar years since 1994/1995 (vs QPR and Wimbledon).
Chelsea has only lost their final league game in one among the last 16 calendar years (W11 D4), taking place 1-3 reception to Aston Villa in 2011.
Charlie's prediction
Chelsea is still up and down, with significant class and real quality. I touched thereon last week, but Willian has been class this season - he was overlooked and that they lose reception to Southampton. they're during a better shape organisationally. The movement of Willian, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, and Christian Pulisic will cause problems. they need a nice pace and nice balance, while Jorginho and N'Golo Kante are good once they have time on the ball.
What changes does Chelsea need to make? they're very limited to the changes they will make - the three at back worked at Tottenham but didn't work against Southampton. There are too many mistakes within the defense, but let's switch it back to Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka could also be off, so he picked what he thought was the simplest balance in midfield. the maximum amount as I prefer what Matteo Guendouzi has, he has been poor and struggled sometimes, but he will come good and should come into the fold at some point. You see that he had to play Bukayo Saka at left-back, but he has done alright considering he's an attacker.
Alexandre Lacazette is back within the team, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is scoring, but Lacazette was sluggish - he needed that game. Mesut Ozil was subbed but wasn't finding the space, so you'll see why. I enjoyed the will and a touch of fight from the Arsenal team I saw at Bournemouth. this could lift the large players. He could make a couple of changes, but my heart is ruling my head here.
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