CRASHED AND BERND
to lick any wounds because Arsenal face Manchester United on New Year’s Day with positives to cling to – Mesut Ozil’s excellent display and Lucas Torreira shining in his proper position anchoring midfield. But they need some points and quickly.
You did at least get a reaction as Arsenal started brilliantly with Ozil’s corner headed on by Calum Chambers and there was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang diving in to glance home the 13th-minute opener.
Suddenly the energy returned to the Emirates.
Arsenal bossed it, Chelsea were picking up yellow cards as if they were going out of fashion and Lampard was bold enough to change it after 34
minutes, taking off Emerson for Jorginho and switching to a back four. It worked and it pushed Arsenal back with Chelsea now in command.
Chambers going off injured was a big blow and only added to the sense of the Gunners creeping further back into retreat even before half-time.
The Blues were looking increasingly dangerous as Willian led every attack while Arsenal were relying on the odd breakaway.
The Gunners went close when sub Joe Willock – on for Ozil, who left to a standing ovation – fired a shot inches wide on the turn. Then Arsenal’s luck disappeared.
Jorginho, who had already been booked for a foul on Alexandre Lacazette, pulled back Matteo Guendouzi in the centre circle. It was a blatant booking even in the heat of a full-bloodied London derby. But ref Pawson just showed Lacazette a yellow card for complaining that Jorginho was not booked. Sure enough, Chelsea levelled soon after – and it had to be Jorginho.
Mason Mount floated in a free-kick, Leno misjudged the flight of the ball and there was Jorginho unmarked to tap in seven minutes from time.
Arsenal’s heartbreak got even worse four minutes later.
Willian led the Chelsea charge from his own box and then Abraham turned sweetly inside the penalty area and buried a shot through Leno’s legs.
It was a feisty, brutal and painful London derby.
A harsh defeat for Arsenal, but a result to give Lampard and his Blues new impetus as they enter 2020 in the top four and showing that they have the fight to stay there.