Arsenal put in a fantastic first-half performance to reignite the race for the top four as they beat Chelsea 2-0 to close the gap on the Blues to three points. With Manchester United also in form and breathing down their necks, this was a massive result as Unai Emery’s side answered their critics with arguably their best performance of the season.
The pressure and intensity inside the first 10 minutes was excellent, as it often is, but this time the Gunners were able to capitalize with a stunning opener from Alexandre Lacazette. They kept Chelsea pinned back and had plenty of opportunities to score before eventually making things more comfortable with a fortunate second from Laurent Koscielny. The Frenchman looks back to his old self after a long-term injury to bring some much-needed stability to the defence.
It should have been two or three ahead early on as they missed some good chances, and then had a wobble just before half-time when Marcos Alonso hit the post with a header. They sat back to invite pressure in the second half, but we’re splitting hairs a bit, plus Hector Bellerin’s injury will be a blow.
Unai Emery finally ditched the back three in favour of the flat back four and wide forward system that worked so well against Tottenham, with Aaron Ramsey behind Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. And the 4-3-1-2 system just seems to suit them.
Hector Bellerin who returned to the side after injury, his cool head at the back was as welcome as his runs down the right flank. His knee injury looked bad with nobody else around him when he went down, and he will be missed.
Laurent Koscielny had a great chance to score in the opening exchanges but shouldered the ball home fo Arsenal’s second. He also did his main job of defending brilliantly and his positioning was exceptional to clear danger time and again.
Alexandre Lacazette’s touch and finish for his goal was everything Arsenal want to see from him. A constant threat and unlucky to be taken off early again.
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