Arsenal secured three vital points in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
Alexandre Lacazette fired the Gunners into a 10th-minute lead with an emphatic finish into the roof of the net, after he had expertly controlled Hector Bellerin's hopeful delivery.
There was an element of fortune to Arsenal's second goal on 39 minutes, as the ball came off Laurent Koscielny's shoulder as he stooped to head home from Sokratis Papastathopoulos's cross.
Chelsea could not match the energy and attacking ambition of the hosts, with the closest they came to getting back into the game when Marcos Alonso headed against the post in first-half stoppage time.
Relive how the London derby unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Premier League six-pointers are usually associated with bottom-of-the-table clashes, but the same could be said of this evening's London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea, which could go a long way to shaping the race for a top-four finish. Let's get straight to the team news from the Emirates Stadium...
ARSENAL: Leno; Bellerin, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Torreira, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Ramsey; Lacazette, Aubameyang
Subs: Cech, Mustafi, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ozil, Iwobi
Subs: Cech, Mustafi, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ozil, Iwobi
CHELSEA: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic; Pedro, Willian, Hazard
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Emerson, Ampadu, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Emerson, Ampadu, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud
Mesut Ozil is back in the Arsenal squad but only on the bench as Unai Emery prefers Aaron Ramsey as the creative support for the front two of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It looks like a possible change in shape for the Gunners, from three at the back to a 4-4-2 diamond.
© Reuters
Emery makes three changes to the starting lineup from the 1-0 defeat to West Ham United last time out. Alex Iwobi makes way for Ramsey despite his good recent form, while there is a return in midfield for popular summer signing Lucas Torreira who has surprisingly benched for the last couple of matches.
Hector Bellerin returns at right-back following a calf injury, so Ainsley Maitland Niles's career-best run of four successive Premier League starts comes to an end. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is still missing with a foot problem while Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding remain long-term absentees for the Gunners.
While Gonzalo Higuain reportedly waits in the wings, Maurizio Sarri continues to use Eden Hazard as his centre forward, with Olivier Giroud left on the bench and Alvaro Morata left out of the squad again. The Spaniard is expected to join Atletico Madrid this month, making room for Higuain to join on loan.
Either side of Hazard, both Willian and Pedro were goalscorers in the 2-1 win over Newcastle in Chelsea's last Premier League outing. It is the same starting XI and substitutes for the Blues, with Sarri preferring Mateo Kovacic to Ross Barkley in midfield and Callum Hudson-Odoi among the reserves.
As with Morata, Gary Cahill is missing from the Chelsea squad as he reportedly ponders a move to struggling Fulham. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also absent with a back problem so youngster Ethan Ampadu makes the bench once more. You can see why Sarri is hoping to be busy before the window closes.
In The Telegraph this week, Emery described this match as a "small final". Indeed, should Arsenal lose they would be nine points off the Champions League pace, and in-form Manchester United would be deemed Chelsea's biggest challengers. "I think yes," said Emery, when asked if that deficit would be too big to recover.
© Reuters
It is indicative of Emery's lack of trust in Ozil that the German is omitted from the starting lineup - again - for a game of this importance. Since signing his new contract in January - worth a reported £350,000 per week, the World Cup winner has started only 18 out of a possible 35 league games, contributing three goals and two assists.
It may be this costly mistake made on Ozil which has deterred Arsenal from meeting Aaron Ramsey's contract demands. The Welshman seems poised to join Juventus on a free transfer in the summer, with reports from Italy claiming that a five-year contract has been agreed which would nearly triple Ramsey's wages to £300,000 per week.
Petr Cech is another high earner who will be leaving Arsenal at the end of the season, having announced his decision to retire in May. The 36-year-old is the Premier League's record holder for clean sheets with 202, most of those for today's visitors to the Emirates, for whom he won three titles during a decade as their number one.
The new number one at Arsenal needs only another 201 clean sheets to catch up with Cech. Bernd Leno has kept just one shutout in his first 15 Premier League starts - only three goalkeepers - Gavin Ward (Leicester), Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace) and John Ruddy (Everton and Norwich) - recorded none in their first 15 starts in the competition.
Arsenal have kept a total of three Premier League clean sheets this campaign - only Fulham, with two, have a worse record. This defensive vulnerability was always going to catch up with the Gunners, and they have now lost on four of their last eight outings in all competitions, having gone unbeaten in their previous 22 matches.
However, most of Arsenal's recent troubles have come on their travels, and they remain without defeat in the league at the Emirates since losing to Manchester City on the opening day of the season. Their 12-match unbeaten home run in London derbies stretches back further than that - to January 2016, although it was against Chelsea.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored seven goals in Arsenal's last eight Premier League home games. The Gabonese striker has quickly become an Emirates favourite, and the numbers tell you why. He has been directly involved in 20 goals in 18 home league games for Arsenal, scoring 15 and setting up five more.
© Reuters
What Chelsea would give to have a number nine of Aubameyang's quality. Well, they might be about to acquire one, with Higuain seemingly close to sealing a switch to Stamford Bridge. The Argentine forward may be past his peak at 31, but has been prolific over the years with 55 in 105 at Juventus, 92 in 147 at Napoli and 122 in 264 at Real Madrid.
Without a recognised striker that Sarri feels he can trust, the goals have dried up for the Blues of late. They scored 27 times in their opening 11 league matches this season, at an average of 2.5 per game, but have netted just 13 times in their subsequent 11 outings. It has been have 11 top-flight matches since they last scored more than twice in a game.
Chelsea are looking to win four consecutive Premier League away games within the same season for the first time since a six-match sequence from October to December 2016. They have beaten Brighton, Watford and Palace on their last three top-flight away trips, all by a single goal.
However, the Blues have won just one of their last nine league games away to the established top six, with that solitary win coming at Wembley against Tottenham in August 2017. A concern for Sarri may be that they still have away trips to both Manchester clubs and Liverpool to come this term.
© Reuters
Chelsea are historically the joint most successful visiting team at the Emirates Stadium, currently level with Manchester United on five wins in competitive fixtures since the stadium opened in 2006. Another victory today and they would be the first away team to win here on six different occasions.
HEAD TO HEAD: Chelsea's only defeat in their past 14 league games against Arsenal was a 3-0 loss at the Emirates in September 2016, a game in which Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla starred for the Gunners. Four of the last six meetings in all competitions have been draws.
Both teams may see Tottenham as their main London rivals, but this has proven to be a more tempestuous derby over the years - Premier League games between Arsenal and Chelsea have produced 13 red cards. However, they are the only clubs yet to have a player dismissed in the top flight this season.
Chelsea got the better of a 3-2 thriller in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in August, when Arsenal came from 2-0 down to draw level, only for Marcos Alonso to bag a late winner. The attack-minded defender has not found the net since - at this stage last season he had six goals to his name.
Around 10 minutes until kickoff in North London, where, should he come off the bench, Olivier Giroud would have the opportunity to become only the second player to score for both clubs in this Premier League fixture, emulating Cesc Fabregas who did so for Arsenal in December 2010, and Chelsea in February 2017.
© Reuters
RESULTS: It has already been a thrilling day in the Premier League, with Liverpool surviving a scare against Crystal Palace to win 4-3 and go seven points clear at the top of the table. Wolves also beat Leicester by the same scoreline, while there were wins for Manchester United, Southampton, Newcastle and Bournemouth. Catch up on all of today's results so far here.
AS IT STANDS: United's seventh straight win under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has actually seen them leapfrog Arsenal in the table prior to kickoff at the Emirates. A win for Arsenal would see them regain fifth, and close the gap on Chelsea to three points. Defeat for the Gunners and they would have a lot of catching up to do to return to Champions League contention.
Which of these two talismen can be the match-winner today? My money (and Fantasy fate) is on Aubameyang!
SCOUT: Hazard (144pts) and Aubameyang (134pts) go head-to-head - they are the 2nd and 3rd highest points-scorers in #FPL this season with a combined 278 points#ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/ul6DeIh18q
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 19, 2019
PREDICTION: Both teams have been a little inconsistent of late, so this one really could go either way. It is probably a game that Arsenal need to win, whereas Chelsea might take a draw, and I feel that onus on the Gunners might inspire their attackers to sneak them over the line. 2-1.
KICKOFF: The action is underway at the Emirates, where there are some nervy early moments in the Chelsea defence. Both Luiz and Jorginho give the ball away in dangerous positions, and the error from the Italian nearly yielded a chance for Ramsey for whom the ball just wouldn't drop quickly enough in the area.
Xhaka is extremely lucky not to receive an early booking for a cynical block on Kante. If that happens 20 minutes into the game, there is no doubt that referee Anthony Taylor goes into his pocket.
CHANCE! Aubameyang should score, but Azpilicueta perhaps does just enough to but the striker off in the six-yard box. Bellerin released Lacazette with a good pass down the right and his cross looked perfect for Arsenal's top-scorer to tap home, but he somehow failed to make any sort of clean contact.
CHANCE! Another good early opportunity for the hosts as Sokratis peels onto Kovacic at a corner but heads wide at the far post.
SHOT! Chelsea enjoy their first meaningful spell of possession, and fashion a chance for Hazard who runs across Sokratis at the near post and meets Azpilicueta's cross with a side-footed effort which he sends wide.
We've already had chances at both ends and it doesn't feel like it will be too long until we get a goal. Ramsey is playing in an advanced role and helping the Arsenal strike pair press Chelsea's defence high.
SAVE! Torreira whips a free kick into a brilliant area and Koscielny meets it with a powerful header but directs it straight at Kepa. At first glance it looks like a great reflex save from the Chelsea goalkeeper but replays show he didn't know much about it as the ball hits his shoulder and flies over the crossbar.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 CHELSEA (ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE)
Arsenal are one up and you cannot argue that it hasn't been coming. Bellerin knocks a hopeful cross into the box, which Lacazette rescues with an assured first touch, a good second to get away from Alonso and an even better third to thump a shot into the roof of the net from the centre right of the box.
© Reuters
CHANCE! The visitors are all over the place at the back, with even the usually reliable Azpilicueta making an error to allow Aubameyang in on goal. The Gabonese twists from his right to his left to create room for a shooting chance, but is off balance as he tamely prods at Kepa who blocks at point-blank range.
CLOSE! Chance now for Chelsea, and it is nearly a carbon copy of their opening goal against Newcastle last weekend. Luiz weights his ball over the top perfectly and Pedro does well to bring it under control, and lobs the ball over the onrushing Leno only to see it bounce inches wide of the far post. So, so close.
Heart in mouth time for Arsenal fans as Aubameyang slides in on Hazard in his own box, but the striker timed his challenge brilliantly, coming in from the wrong side but poking the ball away from the Belgian just as he was looking threatening in the penalty area. Far from a clumsy forward's tackle.
SHOT! Lacazette was on a run of one goal in eight prior to kickoff, but the nature of his goal seems to have given him a big confidence boost. The Frenchman tries his luck from 35 yards out, not even in a central position, and the shot is not too far away from Kepa's crossbar, although the keeper had it covered.
© Reuters
Having not scored since his debut in August, Jorginho may want to think twice before he has his next go from distance. The Italian was never in control of a 25-yard swinger which he sliced high and wide.
Having not scored since his debut in August, Jorginho may want to think twice before he has his next go from distance. The Italian was never in control of a 25-yard swinger which he sliced high and wide.
Ramsey gets into a good position on the left flank but overhits his pass to Kolasinac who had made a promising run to the byline. Arsenal appear to have threats all over the park and have really unsettled Chelsea's usually stable defence.
In the absence of a recognised number nine, and also a lack of goals coming from their three central midfielders, Chelsea look as though they will have to score the perfect goal. There is nice interplay between Hazard and the other forwards but it needs to be pinpoint to yield a chance.
SHOT! Ramsey collects a pass infield from Kolasinac and lets fly from 30 yards out, Kepa clinging on to the ferocious effort above his head.
Kante loses his footing and in doing so, accidentally catches Koscielny who feels the contact and goes down to earn Arsenal a free kick by the left byline. They have looked dangerous from set pieces so far but Kepa clears this one with an authoratative punch.
Luiz is continually looking for that long ball to Pedro, who is prevented from getting on the end of this one by a shoulder barge from Kolasinac. Anthony Taylor decides not to give a free kick as the ball had gone through harmlessly to Leno, but that was needless from the Arsenal defender.
CLOSE! What a goal this would have been by Aubameyang, who contorts his body to meet a Kolasinac cross with an overhead kick, the acrobatic effort on his weaker left foot just fading wide of the post. Half a yard to the left and it is goal of the season. Kepa was nowhere to be seen.
GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 CHELSEA (LAURENT KOSCIELNY)
The Gunners double their lead, and it is the unlikely duo of Sokratis and Koscielny who combine for their second goal. Torreira's free kick is cleared to the edge of the box, where Sokratis collects and knocks the ball back into the danger zone. Koscielny is unmarked, attempts to steer a header goalwards, and the ball loops in off his shoulder. A big slice of luck for Arsenal but the 2-0 scoreline is not unwarranted.
The Gunners double their lead, and it is the unlikely duo of Sokratis and Koscielny who combine for their second goal. Torreira's free kick is cleared to the edge of the box, where Sokratis collects and knocks the ball back into the danger zone. Koscielny is unmarked, attempts to steer a header goalwards, and the ball loops in off his shoulder. A big slice of luck for Arsenal but the 2-0 scoreline is not unwarranted.
© Reuters
Alonso has been a constant outlet for Chelsea down the left, but he has often had to turn back on himself because he hasn't had a teammate in the box to cross to. That of course is not Hazard's game, and at times is has been Kante who has been the most advanced player through the middle.
Arsenal break through Ramsey and Lacazette but Luiz steps out to make an important interception before the ball reaches Aubameyang.
OFF THE POST! Chelsea nearly get a lifeline before the break, as Alonso jumps above Ramsey from a corner and meets his header nicely only to see it come back off the post and out. The Blues have not created anything of note from open play but were inches away from pulling one back from a set piece there.
Kovacic feeds Willian to his left and the Brazilian cuts inside but completely miscues a shot towards the far corner flag.
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 2-0 CHELSEA
If Unai Emery was looking for a reponse to the flat performance in losing to West Ham, he has certainly got it. Arsenal were excellent in that first half, working hard in midfield and causing Chelsea problems from all areas of the pitch. Lacazette and Koscielny goals put them in full control at the break.
As for Chelsea, their team looks completely imbalanced. They have got away with Hazard as a number nine previously but they have felt the absence of a recognised striker badly today. Not only that though, they have been completely outworked in midfield - and this is a team with N'golo Kante in it!
Emery deserves a lot of credit for the way that he has set Arsenal up today, with four central midfielders, albeit Ramsey in an offensive role, constantly harrying Chelsea in possession and hunting in packs. It shows what a full week on the training pitch can do, they are unrecognisable from the Hammers loss.
Despite being second best for the entireity of that 45 minutes, Chelsea very nearly pulled one back in stoppage time when Alonso's header came back of the post. Arsenal always do give teams a chance with their defensive instability so the Blues are still in this if they can start the second half in better shape.
Giroud must be an option that Sarri is considering at half time. Hazard is so much more effective playing off the Frenchman than he is leading the line, and it would give the Chelsea full-backs, particularly Alonso who has been a frequent offensive presence, somebody to target with their crosses into the box.
Has 'Sarri-ball' been found to be flawed in the Premier League? Chelsea have been slow and lethargic.
We've become so one-dimensional and predictable. Bielsa wouldn't even mind sending a spy to Cobham! #ARSCHE — Nived (@Kepability) January 19, 2019
KICKOFF: The action is back underway with both sides unchanged for now. Chelsea, who have never won a Premier League game after being 2-0 down at the break, didn't even have their substitutes warming up at half time.
This may be a bit premature considering Chelsea remain above Arsenal in the table, but the body language of the two teams couldn't have been more different in that first half. Arsenal were putting in everything for their manager - Lacazette and Aubameyang both tracking back to good affect on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, in the Chelsea camp, you wonder how many players believe in what Sarri is doing? Hazard and Kante surely can't...
The Blues have started this second period a little brighter than they have the first but it still looks as though it will need something special from Hazard to make something happen, and the Belgian is being crowded out every time he gets the ball.
It is not going Chelsea's way so far. They create a decent opening for Willian on the left edge of the area, but when he cuts inside to shoot he hits his effort against the back of Alonso, out for a goal kick.
A trio of substitutes - Barkley, Emerson and Giroud - are not warming up on the touchline, the Frenchman receiving a warm ovation from the Arsenal fans for whom he scored many goals as a sub.
CHANCE! Best chance of the game so far for Chelsea, from open play at least as Pedro escapes the attention of Guendouzi to arrive at the edge of the box unmarked, but he blazes Willian's cutback into row z.
Kovacic embarks on a dribble down the left but Koscielny is well positioned at the near post to intercept. The clearance reaches Alonso who tees himself up for a volley which he sends five yards wide.
Chelsea are seeing a lot more of the ball in Arsenal territory and have the Gunners penned in for the first time this evening. Still though they don't seem to have a method to create clear-cut chances.
SUBSTITUTION: Finally a change from Chelsea and it is one that Sarri often makes, swapping Kovacic for Barkley. Can the ex-Everton man provide a bit more dynamism in midfield?
CHANCE! Arsenal have had two brilliant chances to wrap this game up. Kolasinac overcomplicates things in the box when a simple square pass would have set Torreira up for a tap in, allowing Kepa to make a block. From the other flank, Bellerin is offside but allowed to play on. He can't find an unmarked Lacazette in the middle.
Barkley runs onto a layoff from Willian and hit it beautifully, but Koscielny makes a brave block in front of his goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Three changes in total, two from Emery who brings on Maitland-Niles and Iwobi in place of Ramsey and Lacazette. Giroud is now on for Chelsea with Willian the man sacrificed.
Real concern here for Arsenal as the stretcher is called for Bellerin. He's been outstanding today on his return from injury but looks poised now for another spell on the sidelines after his leg buckled under no challenge. Hopefully that is not as serious as it looks for the Spaniard who has had his fair share of bad luck already.
SUBSTITUTION: Emery is forced to use his third change to replace Bellerin, with Elneny coming on and the versatile Maitland-Niles switching to right-back after only a couple of minutes on the wing.
Hazard knocks the ball past Maitland-Niles and flashes the ball across the six-yard box - any touch on that and Leno could have been in trouble.
Pedro loses his balance as he drives into the area and runs into the brick wall that is Sokratis, arguably enjoying his best game in an Arsenal shirt. The Chelsea man should have at least had a corner.
SHOT! Giroud's introduction means he is occupying the Arsenal centre-backs, leaving more room for Hazard and he darts into a space between the lines before cutting inside and slicing a left-footed shot high.
SUBSTITUTION: Final change from Sarri as Hudson-Odoi makes his third Premier League appearance in place of Pedro. Surely Chelsea fans would like to see a more attacking move there from Sarri, with Jorginho sacrificed?
A brief stoppage in play as Torreira gets some cramp relief, his lack of recent starts and his shift today telling there.
Arsenal are on the hunt for the insurance of a third goal, but aren't likely to score it through Elneny, especially 30 yards out. Iwobi's adventurous dribble leads to nothing as the Egyptian shoots over.
The Gunners are closing in on a big win here. Chelsea's substitutes have not really impacted the game and everybody in an Arsenal shirt is continuing to do their job. It has been an excellent team display.
Luiz asks a lot of Hudson-Odoi with one of his raking crossfield passes, but the 18-year-old does really well to keep it in play and knock the ball into the box, where Leno sweeps up under no pressure.
There will be SIX minutes of stoppage time here. Chelsea don't look threatening but stranger things have happened in the Premier League...
Really important interception from Maitland-Niles with Hazard close to latching onto Hudson-Odoi's through ball. Moments earlier, Giroud failed to make contact at the near post from Barkley's cross.
Hazard attempts to pick out Giroud but the delivery is overhit and Leno claims. That may be the first cross Chelsea have attempted since Giroud came on.
YELLOW CARD! Frustration in the Chelsea camp shows as Barkley collects a late yellow for a late lunge on Guendouzi.
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 2-0 CHELSEA
A thoroughly deserved win for Arsenal who outworked, outclassed and outthought Chelsea from start to finish tonight. The Gunners move to within three points of the Blues in the top-four race, and Maurizio Sarri should be concerned at another flat performance. Is Higuain the solution? Let's wait and see.
That's it from our coverage from the Emirates Stadium. You can read our match report on the action here, and catch up on the rest of today's results here. We are back with Premier League action - Man City vs. Huddersfield and Fulham vs. Tottenham tomorrow. Until then, goodbye.
That's it from our coverage from the Emirates Stadium. You can read our match report on the action here, and catch up on the rest of today's results here. We are back with Premier League action - Man City vs. Huddersfield and Fulham vs. Tottenham tomorrow. Until then, goodbye.
