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Neither side has offered much of a threat going forward so far.
3 Jan 2018
7:51PM
60 - This is Arsene Wenger’s 60th meeting with Chelsea in all competitions – making them the side he’s faced the most as Arsenal boss (W22 D16 L21). Familiar. pic.twitter.com/1ItnrADeQw
Holding cynically stops Morata sprinting into space on the counter by taking him down.
Moments later, Chelsea twice go close.
Hazard’s finish is saved by Cech, before he pushes out Alonso’s header moments later.
3 Jan 2018
8:53PM
At Arsenal having a close look at Jack Wilshere. He's made good progress but lack of speed against top sides an issue. Fabregas played round him in 1st half.
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As it happened: Arsenal v Chelsea, Premier League
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
You may need to refresh the page for YouTube videos and other elements to display correctly.
Kick off for the game is at 7.45pm.
Confirmation of tonight’s teams…
We’re under way…
Hazard’s shot is deflected out for a corner.
Positive start from Chelsea.
It’s been a fairly subdued start.
Neither side has offered much of a threat going forward so far.
Sanchez and Ozil link up well initially.
The Chile international’s lofted through ball is ultimately overhit as the German runs through on goal.
Sanchez creates space for Maitland-Niles out wide, but the youngster’s cross is straight into Courtois’ arms.
Down the other end, Chambers fails to deal with a long ball, allowing Morata to sprint through on goal, but the attacker’s finish goes wide.
The ball has somehow stayed out.
Sanchez’s shot hits both posts before being cleared.
It’s been a good spell for Arsenal in recent minutes.
They’ve dominated possession and territory.
Ozil, who’s caused problems so far, makes a run in behind Chelsea’s defence. Wilshere can’t pick his team-mate out with the pass, however.
Down the other end, Fabregas slips a past through to Bakayoko, whose first-time shot under pressure is tipped over by Cech.
It’s been pretty finely balanced so far.
Wilshere has just been booked for a late challenge on Fabregas.
Fabregas plays a lovely cross-field pass that just misses the onrushing Bakayoko.
The Spanish international has had an influential game so far, seeing plenty of the ball and using it well.
Bakayoko goes down right on the edge of the box after a challenge by Xhaka.
It was a poor attempt at a tackle from the Swiss international.
However, Alonso curls the subsequent free kick well off target.
Close!
Ozil gets the ball on the edge of the box and fires it just wide.
Sanchez gets the ball in a promising position, but chips it straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
The Arsenal attacker has not been at his best so far tonight.
Hazard lays it off to Fabregas on the edge of the area, but the midfielder can’t find the target with his side-footed shot.
It remains a tough game to call.
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 CHELSEA
The second half has begun…
Holding cynically stops Morata sprinting into space on the counter by taking him down.
Moments later, Chelsea twice go close.
Hazard’s finish is saved by Cech, before he pushes out Alonso’s header moments later.
Holding has finally been booked for another late challenge.
Meanwhile, Courtois does really well to save Lacazette’s shot from close range.
Wilshere appears to dive as he goes for the ball with Christensen.
The ref waves play on and the Arsenal man is lucky to avoid a booking, particularly as he’s already on a yellow.
Chelsea make the first change of the match.
Moses is replaced by Zappacosta.
Still 0-0, though it remains an intriguing match to watch.
Both sides have had very good chances to go ahead.
ARSENAL 1-0 CHELSEA (WILSHERE 63)
A pass deflects into the path of Wilshere, who blasts it home, beating Courtois at his near post in the process.
Moments later, Lacazette also most makes it two, with his powerful strike forcing the Chelsea goalkeeper to tip the ball around the post.
“Chelsea were drifting through this second half.”
Gary Neville has not been impressed by Antonio Conte’s men since the break.
PENALTY FOR CHELSEA!
Bellerin lashes out with a clumsy challenge on Hazard.
CHELSEA 1-1 ARSENAL (HAZARD 67)
Fabregas plays through Morata. Again though, the Spaniard’s finish is off target.
That pass is Fabregas’ last act, as he’s replaced by Drinkwater.
Kanté’s shot is deflected wide.
Chelsea are in the ascendancy now.
Morata sprints through, but he is denied again, as his shot from a tight angle is saved by Cech.
The Chelsea attacker seems destined not to score tonight.
Arsenal make a change.
Lacazette, who hasn’t been great, is replaced by Welbeck.
Chelsea now make an interesting change.
Hazard, who has looked very sharp, is replaced by Willian.
ARSENAL 1-2 CHELSEA (ALONSO 84)
Zappacosta is allowed too much space by Maitland-Niles out wide.
The wing-back’s cross is expertly converted by Alonso.
Looks like Chelsea will have to survive a late Arsenal rally.
Virtually every outfield player is in the visitors’ half at the moment.
Arsenal make another change.
Theo Walcott replaces Chambers.
There will be four minutes of additional time…
ARSENAL 2-2 CHELSEA (BELLERIN 90)
Alonso can only head it on to Bellerin, who finishes beautifully from the edge of the box.
Moments later, Morata’s finish when through on goal is saved, before Zappacosta hits the bar with the rebound.
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 2-2 CHELSEA
Right, that’s all from me for now, but we’ll have more reaction to follow.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our report of the game here.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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