Luiz’s red gives Conte the Blues
FRUSTRATION: THIS WAS CHELSEA’S FOURTH DISMISSAL
Honours even in a game that didn’t reach great heights.
Chelsea defender David Luiz was sent off for an ugly foul on Sead Kolasinac as Arsenal finally emerged unscathed from a trip to Chelsea with a 0-0 draw against the champions yesterday.
The Brazilian saw red in the closing minutes at Stamford Bridge and he could have no complaints after lunging into a crude two-footed challenge on defender Kolasinac.
It was the third sending-off for a Chelsea player in their last three meetings with Arsenal.
Victor Moses got his marching orders in last season’s FA Cup final, while Pedro was dismissed in the Community Shield.
The David Luiz flashpoint – Chelsea’s fourth red card this season – was the most memorable moment of a hard-fought London derby that was high on perspiration but low on inspiration.
After losing on their last five visits to Chelsea, Arsene Wenger’s side had the better of the few clear-cut chances.
But Danny Welbeck, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette all fluffed good chances to hand Arsenal their first win at the Bridge since October 2011.
Luiz’s moment of madness came too late for Arsenal to capitalise on their numerical advantage, so they had to settle for a first clean sheet here since 2005.
Arsenal weathered an early storm before Welbeck wasted a golden opportunity when Hector Bellerin’s cross picked out the unmarked forward, who couldn’t adjust quickly enough to keep his header on target.
Wenger’s men threatened again when Ramsey’s pass left Marcos Alonso isolated and put Bellerin in behind the defence.
Bellerin crossed low for Lacazette, but the striker’s shot was too close to Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Arsenal were sweeping forward with real purpose and Kolasinac tested Courtois with a stinging drive.
The Gunners’ rearguard remained as creaky as ever and Cesc Fabregas sprung their offside trap with a precise pass to Pedro, whose tame shot at Petr Cech let the visitors off the hook.
As Chelsea’s frustration mounted, Luiz shrugged off Alexis Sanchez – on as a substitute – and launched himself into a needless lunge on Kolasinac in the 87th minute. He was immediately shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver. –