By Daily Sports on January 20, 2019

Arsenal revived their hopes of a top-four finish with first-half goals by Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny securing a comfortable 2-0 derby win at home to toothless Chelsea on Saturday.

Chelsea’s lack of punch in the final third of the pitch was evident again as they enjoyed 64 percent of possession without ever really threatening to unlock Arsenal’s defence.

Arsenal were far sharper as an attacking force and deserved more than Lacazette’s superb 14th-minute effort and skipper Koscielny’s scruffy second in a scintillating opening period.

But those goals, and a resolute defensive display after the break, proved enough to give Arsenal only their third home league win against Chelsea in 10 years.

It also meant that, having begun the match in sixth spot after Manchester United’s win over Brighton and Hove Albion, they moved back into fifth place on goal difference with 44 points, three behind fourth-placed Chelsea. Arsenal took the lead with a goal of real quality.

There appeared no route to goal when Lacazette received the ball with his back to goal in the area, but his silky turn left Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso floundering before he smashed in a shot that flew inside Arrizabalaga’s near post.

Pedro lobbed wide for Chelsea and Alonso headed against the post on the stroke of halftime but by that point Maurizio Sarri’s side were already 2-0 down thanks to Koscielny’s shoulder.

When the ball was played in Koscielny was unmarked but he mistimed his header, only for the ball to spin off his shoulder and beyond the reach of Chelsea’s keeper.

Arsenal restricted Chelsea in the second half as the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession without ever opening up Arsenal’s defence. (SupersSport)

•Photo shows Arsenal players

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 20, 2019

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