CHELSEA ARSENAL SPANISH
Alonso, Morata and Pedro put compatriot Emery on the rack
CHAIN-SMOKING Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri looked to be heading for a night of fine wine and big, fat Cuban cigars in celebration of a comprehensive victory over Arsenal.
In the end, however, he probably settled for his customary cigarettes after the Blues nicked a victory.
Their trio of Spanish goalscorers turned the heat up on fellow countryman Unai Emery, whose life in the Arsenal dugout went from bad against Manchester City to worse here at Stamford Bridge.
First, Pedro turned home Marcos Alonso’s cross, then Alvaro Morata got on the scoresheet as Chelsea to run riot. Incredibly, Arsenal got back into the game, despite being completely outplayed, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan pulling one back and Alex Iwobi levelling matters.
Despite being absolutely battered, Arsenal could even have gone in 5-2 up at the break, but Pierre-emerick Aubameyang, twice, and Mkhitaryan were guilty of missing sitters.
And they were made to pay the price when Chelsea’s continued dominance after the break led to Alonso finally settling matters.
What a game this was. Or, more specifically, what a first half.
Arsenal were woeful, seemingly even more bemused by their new manager’s tactics than they had been in his first game. And Chelsea were excellent, with each and every one of his players responding exactly how their new boss wanted them to.
They took the ball from Arsenal at will and twice in the first four minutes turned over possession within seconds of Petr Cech rolling the ball out from a goal-kick.
Even at that early stage, a goal was obviously coming and, sure enough, the home side were soon ahead.
Alonso found Willian, who fed Jorginho, and when his delicious pass inside Mkhitaryan picked out Alonso’s forward run, his low cross was all the invitation Pedro needed to put Chelsea ahead.
They were in such control that perhaps it was a little overlooked confidence that saw them open up for Shkodran Mustafi to slip a ball through to Aubameyang, but he shot right at Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Moments later, the Gabonese missed the first of two gilt-edged chances after Matteo Guendouzi’s brilliant pass released Hector Bellerin, blazing over with the goal at his mercy.
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