Arsenal XI: (3-4-3)
Cech, Holding, Mustafi, Chambers, Bellerin, Xhaka, Wilshere, Maitland-Niles, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette.
Subs: Ospina, Mertesacker, Walcott, Iwobi, Welbeck, Coquelin, Elneny.
Chelsea XI: (3-5-2)
Courtois, Cahill, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso, Fabregas, Hazard, Morata.
Subs: Caballero, Rudiger, Drinkwater, Pedro, Zappacosta, Willian, Batshuayi.
Here are the talking points of the Match :
Morata’s One on One Miss :
In the first half there came the miss of Alvaro Morata from where Chelsea could have got the lead. One long ball over the top catches Chambers and Mustafi napping, and Morata was onside and he broke into the box all on his own. He looked certain to score as he advanced calmly towards Cech, opened his body up as the goalkeeper dived the wrong way and passed the ball miles wide of the target.
Courtois’ Brilliant Save Kept Chelsea In The Match :
It was end to end stuff at Emirates Stadium.Maitland-Niles was tripped in the box and Arsenal screamed for a penalty, but none was given. They then won the ball back, and Sanchez smacked an effort that beats Courtois, but bounced off of both posts and then back to a grateful goalkeeper. Incredible scenes at Emirates. It was amazing that the match was still goalless.
Arsenal were really piling on the pressure here. Ozil fed Lacazette with a superb ball, and the striker with his back to goal spinned Cahill and fired an effort towards the bottom-right corner, only for Courtois to stretch across and made a fantastic save.
Another Referee’s Mistake In An Arsenal’s Match :
Replays showed that Moses caught the back of Maitland-Niles’ foot in Arsenal’s penalty appeal before the Sanchez chance. More refereeing misery for Wenger to comment on post-match perhaps.
Brilliant Double Save Of Petr Cech At The Beginning Of The Second Half :
Chelsea began the second half where they had ended. A defence-splitting ball sent Hazard through down the centre, but Cech saved well with his feet, before tipping Alonso’s header round the post. Great saves from the former Chelsea man kept Arsenal in the match.
Brilliant Goal From Jack Wilshere :
Arsenal had broken the deadlock for the Gunners. What a thumping goal as well from Wilshere. The ball was played back into the box and evaded Chambers, but found its way through to Wilshere, who smashed in at the near post via both a slight deflection and the inside of the post. Arsenal were 1-0 up in the match with that Goal.
Chelsea Came Back With A Penalty Goal From Eden Hazard :
Bellerin nicked Hazard in the box as he twisted and turned, and the Blues had a spot-kick. It was a silly challenge from the full-back.Hazard put Chelsea level as he slotted the ball straight down the middle. What a cool penalty it was from the Belgian. It was 1-1 at Emirates with that.
Goal Of Marcos Alonso :
Chelsea took the lead in the match when substitute Zappacosta got the better of young Maitland-Niles, and it was Alonso of all people who came into the box, got the wrong side of his marker and finished first-time to give Chelsea the lead for the first time in the match.
The Equaliser By Bellerin :
Arsenal levelled the scoreline. The ball was only half-cleared to the edge of the box, and Bellerin placed a delightful half-volley into the top corner to get the Gunners back on level terms.
