MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 05:51:01| >> :120:21335:21335:
[monks data]
Attendance: 60,309
Arsenal logo
Premier League | Gameweek 20
Dec 29, 2019 at 2pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

FT(HT: 1-0)
Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')

In Focus: Mikel Arteta's first home game in charge of Arsenal

The former Gunners midfielder could not prevent them slipping to a 2-1 defeat.

Mikel Arteta took charge of his first home match as Arsenal manager when they hosted Chelsea.

The former Gunners midfielder could not prevent them slipping to a 2-1 defeat.

Here, the PA news agency runs the rule over new man's Emirates dug-out debut.

Team selection

Matteo Guendouzi was recalled
Matteo Guendouzi was recalled (John Walton/PA)

Arteta made two changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Thursday with Calum Chambers, back from suspension, returning to the defence and Matteo Guendouzi recalled. Granit Xhaka was not involved in the 18. Arteta continued to show faith in Mesut Ozil by naming the club's highest paid player in the starting XI.

Programme notes

Mesut Ozil put in an impressive appearance
Mesut Ozil put in an impressive appearance (John Walton/PA)

Arteta singled out Ozil in his first matchday column. "I told the media when I arrived, everybody at the club has a clean slate with me," he wrote. "I can say since the day that I arrived back at London Colney Mesut's attitude and professionalism has been incredible and his performance against Bournemouth was another really big positive from the match."

Reception

The Spaniard slipped out of the tunnel almost unnoticed as he shook hands with opposite number Frank Lampard. There was no fanfare, just down to business. The atmosphere at the Emirates was as lively as you would expect for a London derby, and the crowd had certainly swelled since the last days of Unai Emery's time in charge.

Set-up

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was once again deployed out on the left, with Ozil behind frontman Alexandre Lacazette and Reiss Nelson on the right. The Gunners were organised, energetic and broke with pace. It was Lampard who had to acknowledge he had got it tactically wrong when he hooked Emerson during the first half. However, Arsenal were ultimately undone after Arteta had taken off Ozil in a bid to shore things up.

Overall

Arteta's side take on Manchester United on New Year's Day
Arteta's side take on Manchester United on New Year's Day (John Walton/PA)

Arteta's Arsenal were focused and to a man worked exceptionally hard  – including Ozil. The defence was untroubled in the first half and Arteta punched the air with delight when a slick corner routine was rewarded by Aubameyang's goal. However, the wheels came off when a howler from goalkeeper Bernd Leno gifted Jorginho an equaliser and moments later Tammy Abraham had snatched victory for the Blues, proving there is still a long road ahead for the Gunners.

ID:384409: cacheID:384409:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9175:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!