Wound-up Luiz loses the plot as bad blood spills over
THE prospect of a tense struggle, low on goals, first appeared when the teamsheets confirmed that this London derby would begin without Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez or Olivier Giroud.
With Diego Costa also absent, presumed sulking in Brazil, it meant four players who between them scored 72 goals in the Premier League last season had been omitted.
By the end, Sanchez, Hazard and Giroud were all on, caution had been thrown to the wind and the contest had descended into a shapeless mess of bad tempers and squandered chances. Expensive summer recruits such as Alex Lacazette and Alvaro Morata had proved to be too easily shackled.
Back threes were back fives and these defensive units were firmly on top. All of which seemed to be too much for David Luiz, who, although already booked, lost his rag and launched himself over the ball and into a needless challenge on Sead Kolasinac.
The pair had been engaged in a niggling row, and Antonio Conte claimed Sanchez had been winding up his Brazilian centre half. Nevertheless, as Kolasinac gripped his shin and writhed in pain, referee Michael Oliver flashed a straight red for violent play.
A second yellow would have been impossible to dispute, but the key difference is a longer suspension. Luiz had already been booked by Oliver for a high boot while attempting an overhead kick, catching Laurent Koscielny on the arm, although the Arsenal defender landed holding his face.
The straight red came later and means the champions will be without Luiz, their defensive keystone, for three games: Nottingham Forest, Stoke away, and, crucially, Manchester City.
He is the fourth Chelsea player dismissed this season, including Pedro in the FA Community Shield, and the fifth in eight games, stretching back to the Victor Moses dive in the FA Cup final.
The Luiz flashpoint served to trigger a breathless closing sequence. Every tackle drew an exaggerated reaction, every decision was challenged and the crowd came to life. There were no goals, however, and Arsenal left with a point from Stamford Bridge for the first time for nearly six years.
It was no more than they deserved. Wenger’s team had looked far more solid without Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, who was ruled out by a knee injury.
Against his instincts, Arsene Wenger sacrificed creativity for the work-rate of Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi, and his team dominated in midfield, where Aaron Ramsey was outstanding.
Ramsey created the best chance for the visitors, moments before half-time, with a powerful run into the penalty box and a shot which beat Thibaut Courtois and struck a post.
The rebound spun at an awkward height towards Lacazette who could not adjust and screwed his effort off target. Having suffered early in the game, Arsenal were on top and the champions were hanging on for the sanctuary of half-time.
Hector Bellerin’s pace caused problems for Marcos Alonso. Welbeck headed one chance wide from one Bellerin cross and Lacazette turned another on target only to be foiled by Courtois.
Chelsea’s best chance fell to Pedro, released by a pass clipped over the top by Cesc Fabregas, midway through the first half. Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech stood firm, held his nerve and made a vital block.
Pedro did not return after the break. Conte, pictured below, said he had hurt his ankle and sent on Tiemoue Bakayoko, which gave Chelsea more muscle.
Chelsea performed with more purpose and menace. Willian and Hazard forced saves from Cech.
Shkodran Mustafi who excelled in the centre of Wenger’s backthree, nullifying the threat of Morata, thought he had grabbed a late winner when he met a freekick swung into the goalmouth by Granit Xhaka. But a flag was up and replays confirmed it was the correct decision.
The game was destined to be goalless, which did neither team much good. Chelsea trail three points behind leaders Manchester City and Arsenal, for all the encouragement of a point at the Bridge, are six points adrift after five games.