Chelsea vs Arsenal result

The only goal of the game came just after the hour mark in a match that had few clear-cut opportunities, particularly for the hosts. Gabriel got on the end of Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner, which had evaded everyone on its way through a crowded box, to poke in on the goal-line.

It proved enough to settle the contest, which was played in relentless rain through much of the second half, and hand Arsenal their third straight home league win at the Bridge for the first time since 1974.

The selection

There were three changes from the side that beat Dinamo Zagreb in midweek as Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva and Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to the starting 11, the latter partnering Jorginho in central midfield.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led the line against his former club supported by Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz, while Cesar Azpilicueta skippered the side on his 334th Premier League appearance for the club, taking him clear as our third-highest appearance maker in the competition.

Meanwhile, Arsenal named a familiar line-up with just one alteration from last weekend’s big win over Nottingham Forest which saw Oleksandr Zinchenko return at left-back.

Gunning out the blocks

The Gunners have been notoriously fast starters this term, scoring more goals in the opening half hour of league games than any other side and the only team not to concede in the first 30 minutes.

It was another bright beginning for the visitors under grey south-west London skies, the relentless rain having abated in time for the pre-match commemorations on our dedicated Remembrance fixture, which featured Chelsea Pensioners and the Last Post prior to kick-off.

Once the action got underway, Mikel Arteta’s men settled quickest and fashioned the contest’s first opportunities, both falling to England defender Ben White, who shot over and then wide in the opening 10 minutes.

Settling down

Chelsea’s lopsided 4-2-3-1, with Sterling high and wide on the right, was finding it difficult to retain meaningful possession in the Arsenal half, with the north Londoners in control of the ball. Gabriel Martinelli fired another warning from the left, cutting infield and curling an effort just over Edouard Mendy’s crossbar.

Our defence was holding strong but concentration and composure were being tested to the limits. Thiago Silva’s organisation at the heart of our back four was crucial and the Brazilian produced a well-timed block to thwart one Arsenal shot midway through the first half, with the rebound hooked forward by Mount and initiating a promising counter-attack.

Sterling motored away down the right before switching left for Havertz, who held onto the ball before laying off for the late-arriving Mount, who had raced upfield to support. Just like down the other end seconds before, the effort at goal was stopped by an anticipating defensive block.

Samba chances

The Blues grew into the half but not before Gabriel Jesus squandered the best chance of the opening 45 minutes, knocking a stooping header wide from six yards out after Martinelli had supplied a teasing inswinging delivery from the left flank at the end of a speedy break from back to front.

Our best first-half opportunity fell to Thiago Silva, whose stretching header from Mount’s corner looped over. More precision was needed in those critical penalty-box moments and Havertz typified this when latching onto Sterling’s forward pass but failing to find Aubameyang in the middle.

Falling behind

There were few presents on offer in a tight and tense encounter, our final home game before Christmas due to the upcoming World Cup break. Another header went to waste from the visitors, this time Martinelli aiming downwards but wide, yet Arsenal didn’t have to wait much longer to break the deadlock.

Mendy was initially congratulated for a smart save at his near post from Gabriel Jesus after the Blues had lost possession midway in our own half, though from the resulting right-sided corner Saka’s bending delivery went all the way through a crowded 18-yard box and was poked over the line by Gabriel.

It was the visitors’ first effort on target in the game and Potter reacted with a double change, sending on Academy graduate pair Armando Broja and Conor Gallagher in attack.

No way back

Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic soon followed as the heavens opened and a downpour added to our challenges to overcome. There was no let-up from Arsenal either as they pushed for a killer second. Zinchenko crossed from the left, Trevoh Chalobah cleared with a header but only as far as Saka, who fired a right-footed strike too high.

Martin Odegaard was next to threaten after neat work from Gabriel Jesus to skip away from Thiago Silva and Loftus-Cheek in the middle, though the Norwegian couldn’t quite find the top corner with a subtle effort.

Moments of promise in the Chelsea final third were few and far between. Sterling conjured our most enterprising chance as he raced away down the inside-right channel but White was across in timely fashion to clear his England colleague’s low centre away from danger.

That was the most likely we came to an equaliser on another disappointing day against our London rivals.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Mendy; Azpilicueta (c), Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Cucurella; Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek (Kovacic 78); Sterling, Havertz (Gallagher 64), Mount (Pulisic 78), Aubameyang (Broja 64)
Unused subs Bettinelli, Koulibaly, Hall, Zakaria, Ziyech
Booked Aubameyang 27; Azpilicueta 51; Chalobah 60; Gallagher 85; Sterling 89

Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko (Tierney 78); Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard (c) (Elneny 87), Martinelli (Holding 90+4); Gabriel Jesus,
Unused subs Turner, Cedric, Lokonga, Vieira, Nelson, Nketiah
Scorer Gabriel 63
Booked Saka 41; White 80

Referee Michael Oliver
Crowd 40,142

Chelsea vs Arsenal Premier League table

You can view the latest Premier League table here.

What time are Chelsea vs Arsenal highlights available?

Match highlights from this game will be available from 4pm UK time on matchday on chelseafc.com and The 5th Stand app.

Chelsea fixtures - what's next?

The Blues have two more matches before the World Cup break, away at Manchester City in midweek in the Carabao Cup and then on the road again next weekend with a Saturday teatime trip to Tyneside to take on Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Next fixture: Manchester City vs Chelsea

Date: Wednesday 9 November 2022

Kick-off time: 8pm UK time

Location: Etihad Stadium