Arsenal revive top-4 hopes with victory

LONDON: 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.

RESOLUTE DEFENCE

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. “Today we needed to win. We made a mistake last week (at West Ham) so today’s game was a six-pointer,” Koscielny said.

“If we lose we will be nine points (off Chelsea) and if we win the gap will be just three points.

“We’re still in the race for the top four. The commitment today was amazing from all the boys.”

SARRI FURIOUS

Angry Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri accused his players of lacking determination and being “difficult to motivate” after watching their lacklustre 2-0 defeat away to London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League.

When he eventually emerged from the dressing room, the Italian insisted on delivering his post-match comments in his native language in order to fully express his bitter disappointment with his team. “I have to say that I’m extremely angry because this defeat was due to our mentality,” the 60-year-old former Napoli coach said.

OFFERS FOR MOURINHO

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has turned down three job offers since being sacked by the Old Trafford club last month, adding he was happy to bide his time before taking on his next challenge.

The Portuguese also said rival Premier League managers Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp were supported more by their clubs. “I’ll analyse things, I don’t like to speak about it. But I’ve refused already three options because I didn’t feel that it is what I want,” Mourinho said.