SportFootballMikel Arteta’s Gunners will move back to the top of the table with victory over Frank Lampard’s Blues
Arteta on title race: ‘When I look at it, this is not over’
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Arsenal have work to do to keep themselves in the Premier League title race after dropping points in a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City during their last outing. Tonight, they host struggling London rivals Chelsea as they look to regain first place in the table.
After leading the way at the top of the table for so long, Mikel Arteta’s side slipped into second place at the weekend following City’s three points against Fulham. The reigning champions are in terrific form and Arteta will know anything other than a run of five wins to end the season will surely end the Gunners’ Premier League hopes.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are hoping to end a horrible run of form. Their last victory came in early March, and they’ve gone eight games without a win since across all competitions. Interim manager Frank Lampard has lost all five of his matches in charge so far and the Blues are languishing 12th in the table. Will there be a shock victory for Chelsea at the Emirates stadium this evening?
Follow all the action as Arsenal host Chelsea in the Premier League:
1683056359Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea37 mins: Chelsea have been blown away by the Gunners here. From the start Arsenal seemed determined to get amongst Chelsea’s back line and force them to play inside their half.
The three goals will give Arsenal so much confidence after their hammering from Man City last time out.
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:39
1683056173GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea (Jesus, 34’)⚽️34 mins: Arsenal are running rampant now! Ben White floats a cross into the box from the right wing, Gabriel Jesus chests it down and knocks it into the nearest defender.
The ball comes to Granit Xhaka who taps it back to Jesus and the striker turns it home from close range!
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:36
1683056030GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea (Odegaard, 31’)⚽️31 mins: This is lovely play from Arsenal over on the left side. Granit Xhaka and Leandro Trossard fluidly switch positions as Arsenal pass the ball it little triangles.
Martin Odegaard runs around the back of Raheem Sterling and gets into the middle of the box as Xhaka sends in the cross. It’s simple for the Arsenal captain to meet the ball in space and he belts it into the back of the net!
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:33
1683055718Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea27 mins: Penalty shout from Arsenal! Leandro Trossard whips a cross into the penalty area and Wesly Fofana leaps into the air to block it.
He tries to pull his hand away and the ball clips it. The Arsenal players all appeal but the referee waves for play to go on and VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:28
1683055588Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea24 mins: Save! Finally there’s a response from Chelsea. Enzo Fernandez flicks the ball over the top and plays in Ben Chilwell. He bursts past Bukayo Saka to recover the ball then drives it into the penalty area.
Ben White sprints back to challenge him but Chilwell gets off a shot and forces Aaron Ramsdale to push the ball wide of the far post.
Great save!
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:26
1683055291Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea21 mins: This is just the start that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal would have been hoping for. Chelsea have to respond somehow but they’re been forced further and further into their own half.
Can they wrestle some momentum away from the Gunners?
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:21
1683055201GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (Odegaard, 18’)⚽️18 mins: There’s the opener and it has been coming!
Granit Xhaka is fed the ball out on the left side. He brings it to the side of the box before squaring a pass into the feet of Martin Odegaard.
He’s positioned just inside the penalty area and rolls a left-footed shot towards the near top corner. Kepa Arrizabalaga gets a hand on the shot and pushes it onto the underside of the crossbar but it bounces in off the woodwork!
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:20
1683055059Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea15 mins: Close! A quick corner from Arsenal gets worked to the edge of the box where Jorginho slips it back out wide to Leandro Trossard.
Trossard whips a cross into the middle of the box and finds Bukayo Saka who leaps highest and turns a headed effort towards goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga jumps over to the left and turns the ball wide of the far post.
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:17
1683054722Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea12 mins: Granit Xhaka makes a run into space down the inside left channel and is slipped the ball by Gabriel Jesus. Xhaka’s first touch is poor which allows N’Golo Kante enough time to nip back and recover the ball.
As these opening minutes have developed it’s been Arsenal pushing their weight around and trying to get into Chelsea’s final third. The Blues are slightly under pressure here and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks increasingly isolated up top.
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:12
1683054597Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea9 mins: There’s been a few physical tackles throw in from both teams already in this game. The referee is letting most of them go and allowing the play to flow.
Thiago Silva shepherds a loose ball out for a goal kick and Bukayo Silva gives him a nudge sending the defender into the advertising boards.
Mike Jones2 May 2023 20:09
