Today we experienced something that we have hardly seen in the Arsenal side for so long - good defending. We saw a revived side in Saturday's London derby against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium and most important of it all was the pleasant and well-deserved victory we recorded over the Sarri ballers. Who would have outrightly declared that we would stage such an impressive display against such a side after recently fumbling against smaller ones?
Back with a bang in the starting lineup after a lengthy absence was Hector Bellerin but quite unfortunate was a second half injury that required a stretcher lift for the Spanish right-back. It looked so serious. We hope a scan reveals otherwise.
Arsenal began on top level as they tossed the visitors around and intercepted passes. It did not take so long before the chances started coming in for the hosts. How Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to score from a ball sent towards goal by Alexandre Lacazette is still a mystery to me and other football lovers who have aired their post-match views. The best he could do with that attempt was to send it wide.
Sokratis headed wide from a corner shortly after. That guy bossed the team and pocketed everyone. He was just so outstanding alongside Laurent Koscielny. It isn't surprising that the latter who would later write his name in the score-book was adjudged Man of the Match.
Koscielny's header from a Lucas Torreira free-kick got denied by Kepa Arrizbalaga. First denial isn't total denial. I believe you understand? Lol!
We continued with the smooth play and the reward for our efforts showed up as we opened scoring for the night through the big game changer Lacazette. Bellerin's class in the buildup gave the Frenchman the chance to squeeze one into the top corner. This set the already noisy Emirates on fire.
Afterwards, Chelsea enjoyed some moments with the ball, putting pressure on us and going close to grabbing an equaliser but they seemed to have left their scoring boots at home. It wasn't their day and as if we have not hit them enough, we got a second before the break from a Koscielny shoulder kick. Is there anything like shoulder kick? I don't care! Hahaha! Thanks to Sokratis for sending that ball into the box. We were lucky not to have conceded minutes before halftime as Marcus Alonso sent one against the woodwork.
The second half was barren with no goals but it was still an interesting part after all. Having piled in pressure from the flanks alongside Sead Kolasinac, Bellerin was unlucky to have been taken off due to an injury. We wish him a speedy recovery and at the same time pray it is something minor even though it did not look so.
With a third clean sheet in the Premier League so far this season, Arsenal are now back in fifth place level on points with Manchester United and trailing Chelsea by three.
We will be in action next in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Friday and it will be on our ground with Manchester United who we last played in this competition in 2015. It was a triumph for us on that occasion.
Koscielny's header from a Lucas Torreira free-kick got denied by Kepa Arrizbalaga. First denial isn't total denial. I believe you understand? Lol!
We continued with the smooth play and the reward for our efforts showed up as we opened scoring for the night through the big game changer Lacazette. Bellerin's class in the buildup gave the Frenchman the chance to squeeze one into the top corner. This set the already noisy Emirates on fire.
Afterwards, Chelsea enjoyed some moments with the ball, putting pressure on us and going close to grabbing an equaliser but they seemed to have left their scoring boots at home. It wasn't their day and as if we have not hit them enough, we got a second before the break from a Koscielny shoulder kick. Is there anything like shoulder kick? I don't care! Hahaha! Thanks to Sokratis for sending that ball into the box. We were lucky not to have conceded minutes before halftime as Marcus Alonso sent one against the woodwork.
The second half was barren with no goals but it was still an interesting part after all. Having piled in pressure from the flanks alongside Sead Kolasinac, Bellerin was unlucky to have been taken off due to an injury. We wish him a speedy recovery and at the same time pray it is something minor even though it did not look so.
With a third clean sheet in the Premier League so far this season, Arsenal are now back in fifth place level on points with Manchester United and trailing Chelsea by three.
We will be in action next in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Friday and it will be on our ground with Manchester United who we last played in this competition in 2015. It was a triumph for us on that occasion.
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