As the host for today’s match, Arsenal tried to start as best they could with the combined speed of Hector Bellerín and Gabriel Martinelli. The first cross was missed by Chelsea center-back Thiago Silva, leaving the countryman to shoot.
Fortunately, the young man failed to give the ball a proper touch. Otherwise, the Blues would start the game today in trouble.
Chelsea attempted to respond through Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount, the first earning a free kick close to the Arsenal area for the second to kick and almost double into the goal. The attempt hit the wall of the English midfielder, but did not have enough curve to go to the bottom of the net.
From then on, Chelsea began to challenge the home team with their chances of goal, with both sides receiving good cheers in their attempts. Until the softest penalty of all time was given in favor of Arsenal, with Kieran Tierney hitting the ground or being a lightweight with the mere presence of Reece James behind him.
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette intensified the penalty kick and converted the chance. No divine intervention to correct this injustice!
Unfortunately, the goal boosted Arsenal’s confidence, with its players ignoring their poor form until this match. The second goal would come just after Granit Xhaka’s penalty, after N’Golo Kanté’s free kick in a rare mistake by the Frenchman.
A double change at halftime, with Jorginho and Callum Hudson-Odoi taking over from Mateo Kovacic and Timo Werner, was the call for coach Frank Lampard to try to change the course of the match. But instead, what we got was a weird goal from Bukayo Saka, whose cross deceives everyone – including himself – to fall for our goal.
At least we got a consolation goal via Tammy Abraham, with an assist from CHO. And also a penalty, with Jorginho’s shot saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The book’s definition of “too little, too late”.
- First choice defenders are back! Truly a Boxing Day surprise.
- Substitutes are Jorginho for Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi for Timo Werner and Kai Havertz for N’Golo Kanté.
- Arsenal’s seven-game winning streak is over, all thanks to poor referee decision making … and Chelsea.
- We really need to end our waste in front of the goal early in the match. An opening goal changes the balance of a match and Arsenal proved it today.
- Next: Aston Villa for the Premier League at Stamford Bridge in … 48 hours ??? Oh my God!
- KTBFFH!
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