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29 March 2024

Chelsea hold Arsenal goalless to edge closer to title

Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea takes on Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2015 in London, England. (Getty Images)

Published
By Football Correspondent and Agencies

Arsenal missed the chance to halt Chelsea's march towards the Premier League title with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to the runaway leaders at The Emirates on Sunday.

In a London derby with few clear chances, Chelsea produced a typically organised display to frustrate the hosts and preserve their 10-point lead at the top with five games left.

Jose Mourinho's side have 77 points and a win over Leicester City in midweek would leave them all but certain of their first league title since 2010. Second-placed Manchester City have 67, having played a game more, level with Arsenal in third.

Arsenal may still have a mathematical chance of winning the Premier League but their manager Arsene Wenger conceded it was now "impossible" for Chelsea not to finish as champions following the London rivals' 0-0 stalemate on Sunday.

The result at the Emirates Stadium leaves Chelsea, who have five games remaining, top on 77 points, 10 clear of champions Manchester City, who have four games left, and Arsenal, who also have five to play.

If Chelsea win at Leicester City on Wednesday, the only team that can still theoretically catch the leaders are Arsenal, but Wenger admitted he did not think that would happen.

Asked if Chelsea were going to finish as champions, he told reporters: "Yes we know that, it is impossible for them to lose it now.

"They are not champions yet, but they will be. You get what you deserve. They started strong and that made the difference in the first part of the season compared to us, they played very well."

Sunday's result ended Arsenal's run of nine successive home league wins and also their run of nine successive wins in all competitions and left Wenger still without a win against Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in 13 meetings over the last decade.

Arsenal's season can still end on a high, though, if they retain the FA Cup against Aston Villa and Wenger was upbeat about their performances in the second half of the season and their immediate future prospects.

"I think we have closed the gap (on Chelsea) since the start of the season," he said.

"Now we want to finish the season well. You look at the other results and every game is difficult. We go to Hull next and before we play the Cup final we want to secure our place in the top four, that's not done yet.

"After that the top three, then the top two and that's all to do now."

But he downplayed his long winless run against Mourinho and the fact that Arsenal have not beaten Chelsea for eight matches since they won 5-3 at Stamford Bridge in October 2011. They have not scored against them in their last five games either.

"It's about our club and our team and not about me. What you want is to win the game, the rest is good for media talk. What is interesting is what happens on the football pitch," said Wenger.  

While Chelsea strengthened their hold on first place, Manchester United's top four aspirations suffered a setback as Louis van Gaal's side were beaten 3-0 by clinical Everton.

First-half goals from James McCarthy and John Stones put the hosts in control and substitute Kevin Mirallas sealed victory late on to push Everton into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

Fourth-placed United enjoyed 65 per cent of possession but lacked any real cutting edge with striker Radamel Falcao's frustration complete when he had a well-taken effort disallowed for offside.

United's defeat, following last week's loss to Chelsea, leaves them still a comfortable seven points above fifth-placed Liverpool although that gap could be sliced to four if the latter win their game in hand at Hull City on Tuesday.  

Full-time

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

Jose Mourinho kept his record intact of not losing to Arsene Wenger in 13 matches after Chelsea held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday night.

Once the final whistle had gone the Chelsea players celebrated as if they had won the Premier League title. With a 10-point cushion over the Gunners and Manchester City, who have played a game more, Mourinho's side could have their hands on the trophy soon.

 

92" YELLOW! Monreal booked.

91" Arsenal continue to waste chances. Monreal crosses from left and Ozil misses great chance to tap home. Even Welbeck could have got to it but another opportunity goes by.

90" Four minutes added.

89" Fabregas is booed as he makes way for Zouma.

88" YELLOW! Ramsey gets booked.

85" With five minutes to go for the fnal whistle Chelsea seem content on playing out a draw.

84" Try as hard as they are, Arsenal simply can't get past the Chelsea defence.

82" Giroud is replaced by Walcott.

81" Welbeck breaks the off-side trap but another chance goes abegging. 

79" Ramsey's powerful shot hits his teammate Giroud in the ribs. That ball could have found the net but for Giroud standing in front of goal.

76" Danny Welbeck replaces Francis Coquelin.

75" Koscielny does well on the left flank and finds Cazorla but again some poor shooting results in the ball going wide without troubling the Chelsea keeper.

72" Fabregas finds Drogba on top of the box. The Ivorian shoots with the left foot but the ball deflects for a corner.

71" YELLOW! Ivanovic is shown the yellow.

68" Mertesacker sends his weak shot across the goal from a melee.

67" YELLOW! Willian booked.

67" Arsenal are penetrating but not penetrating enough to trouble Courtois.

64" Drogba gets his first shot at goal but makes a total mess with a weak grounder to give Ospina an easy collection. Time is catching up on the Ivorian.

63" John Terry is rock-solid depriving Sanchez, Giroud and Cazorla.

58" Commotion in the Chelsea area and a desperate clearance. 

54" Hazard takes an aimless shot blasting it over, more out of desperation as he hasn't had much to do in the match so far.

50" Chelsea look a little more settled with some short passes as action has shifted to midfield.

48" Good cross from Cazorla to advancing Monreal. The left-back is hasty with his kick and shoots wide. 

46" Yes Drogba makes his presence on the field in place of Oscar.

Didier Drogba is loosening up on the sidelines but no confirmation yet whether he will take the field in the second half. 

Half-time

Arsenal and Chelsea may have failed to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes but the match was filled with some exciting and pulsating moments with the Gunners doing all the running but the Blues coming close to scoring.

Arsene Wenger's boys looked determined to set the ball rolling but they ran out of ideas when near the Chelsea box. On the other hand although Chelsea played second fiddle it was Jose Mourinho's boys who had two clear chances of scoring.

First Fabregas lobbed for Oscar and the Brazilian did well to chip over an advancing Ospina, the goalkeeper pushing the striker to the ground. Luckily for Arsenal Bellerin rushed back in the nick of time to head it to safety even as the Chelsea players appealed for penalty.

Then Willian broke through the Arsenal defence like a knife through butter and found Ramires who should have done better with only Ospina at his mercy but his side foot kick was blocked by the keeper.

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

45" The whistle goes off and its time for a breather after a hectic and fast-paced 45 minutes.

43" Arsenal are all over the Chelsea goal with Ozil, Giroud and Cazorla are looking like putting it into the net but no one really threatening Courtois in goal.

40" Good footwork by Ramsey backheeling it to Sanchez but the Chilean is wasteful again. 

39" Willian sends a defence-splitting through to Ramires who side-foots it but Ospina charges out and makes a collection. Chelsea look dangerous on the counter although Arsenal have more possession of the ball.

35" Superb work by Coquelin but Sanchez makes a mess of the cross after Giroud was well placed to score.

33" PENALTY DISALLOWED! Arsenal are denied a penalty as Cazorla's shot strikes Cahill on the hand in the box. Now it's Wenger's turn to charge at the fourth referee asking for a penalty.

31" Dangerous cross from Monreal and Giroud jumps high for the header but Terry, standing in front of him, clears to safety.

27" Fabregas is being booed every time he touches the ball and his yellow card only made the day of the Arsenal fans.

23" YELLOW! Fabregas is booked for diving in the Arsenal box although Cazorla stuck his right leg out and pulled it out at the last minute.

20" Lot of pace and goal scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes making for an entertaining fare.

16" PENALTY APPEAL! A counter from Chelsea and Oscar comes close to scoring. He beats the off-side trap and taps over David Ospina who pushes the Brazilian down but Hector Bellerin comes to Arsenal's rescue heading it out as the ball was heading into the net. Mourinho is furious and calls for a penalty as Oscar lay on the ground but referee thinks otherwise.

15" Sanchez is calling the shots here. Once again a superb run with the ball, dribbling past defenders, and he finds Ozil but the German is slow and the ball is cleared.

12" Sanchez and Giroud in a melee. The French player tries balancing the ball on his head but Courtois intervenes and collects. It's Arsenal all the way from the word go.

8" Ivanovic escapes from being booked after a harsh tackle on Sanchez. Referee Michael Oliver gives Ivanovic a warning but not a card.

5" Sanchez wins a corner as Arsenal look positive and are on the offensive from the start. However Chelsea do well to avoid any harm. 

3" Arsenal win an early free-kick outisde the Chelsea box after Sanchez is tripped by Ivanovic but Cazorla sends his floater straight into the gloves of Courtois.

Brazilians Oscar and Willian get the match started for Chelsea.

A minute's silence is observed to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bradford fire. But once that's over and done with the stadium bursts to a loud cacophony.

We are five minutes away from kick-off.

With Manchester United getting a hammering from Everton the focus now is shifted on the match between table-toppers Chelsea and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The match kicks off in another 20 minutes.

Per Mertesacker, doubtful because of an ankle injury, got the nod from Arsene Wenger.

Jose Mourinho opted for two changes from last weekend's 1-0 win over Manchester United and in the absence of the injured Diego Costa, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy has not named a recognised striker.

STARTING XI

Arsenal: 13 Ospina, 39 Bellerin, 04 Mertesacker, 06 Koscielny, 18 Monreal, 34 Coquelin, 19 Cazorla, 16 Ramsey, 11 Ozil, 17 Sanchez, 12 Giroud. Subs: 01 Szczesny, 02 Debuchy, 03 Gibbs, 10 Wilshere, 14 Walcott, 20 Flamini,23 Welbeck.

Chelsea: 13 Courtois, 02 Ivanovic, 24 Cahill, 26 Terry, 28 Azpilicueta, 07 Ramires, 21 Matic, 22 Willian, 08 Oscar, 10 Hazard, 04 Fabregas. Subs: 01 Cech, 03 Filipe Luis, 05 Zouma, 11 Drogba, 12 Mikel, 23 Cuadrado, 36 Loftus-Cheek.

Team news

Arsenal

Per Mertesacker is doubtful because of an ankle injury picked up in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final win over Reading.

Captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) are still not match fit.

Chelsea

Mourinho will make a late decision on whether to risk Diego Costa's fragile hamstrings.

Didier Drogba is fit after an ankle knock.

Striker Loic Remy (calf) is definitely out.

Stat Attack

Chelsea have won their last 5 away matches in the Premier League.

Arsenal have won their last 9 home matches in the Premier League.

Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last 4 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 8 home matches in the Premier League.

Chelsea have won 5 of their last 6 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

Arsenal trail Chelsea by 10 points in Premier League.

Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-0 when the two teams last met.
 
Wenger has claimed only two major trophies to Mourinho’s 12.

A coach Wenger has never beaten Mourinho in 12 attempts
 
Probable formations

Chelsea: 4-2-3-1

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1
 
Preview

Chelsea's trip to Arsenal on Sunday has been billed as a Premier League title decider, but in reality it is likely to have more of a bearing on next season.

With 11 wins and two defeats since the turn of the year, Arsenal have amassed more points per game in 2015 than any other team in Europe's five major leagues, but still they trail Chelsea by 10 points.

Chelsea will be champions if they beat Arsenal and win at Leicester City on Wednesday, but even though defeat on Sunday would probably only delay their coronation, it could herald the start of a north London revolt.

Fixtures between Arsene Wenger's Arsenal and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea have traditionally represented a collision of competing ideologies, with Wenger the style-obsessed romantic and Mourinho the cold, hard pragmatist.

While clubs around the world fell over themselves to ape the possession-based approach of Barcelona and Spain during the high point of 'tiki-taka' - emboldening Wenger to cram even more small, technical midfielders into his starting XIs - Mourinho remained true to his counter-attacking convictions.

Those principles were in evidence last weekend when Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge despite seeing only 30 per cent of the ball.

The contrasting philosophies underpin the ill-feeling between Wenger and Mourinho, who clashed on the touchline during October's reverse fixture (a 2-0 Chelsea win) and who have traded ideological barbs this week.

Responding to Wenger's claim that "it is easy to defend", Mourinho made a characteristically caustic reference to Arsenal's Champions League exit, saying: "If it was easy, you wouldn't lose 3-1 at home to Monaco."

Both men have played down the significance of their personal rivalry, but with Wenger having never beaten Mourinho in 12 attempts and having claimed only two major trophies to the Chelsea manager's six during the time they have both spent working in England, it is clear where the balance of power lies.

The hope, for Arsenal's fans, is that the savvy shown by their team during a run of nine straight wins in all competitions will yield a transformative victory.

After years of parsimony, Arsenal can now compete with Chelsea for the game's star names - as demonstrated by the acquisitions of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez - and the gap may be closing on the pitch, too.

Arsenal have experienced an uncommon number of heavy losses to rivals in recent years - including a 6-0 annihilation by Chelsea last season - but belatedly, the penny appears to have dropped for Wenger.

With former fringe player Francis Coquelin anchoring the midfield, Arsenal have begun to beat their rivals in a fashion that even Mourinho might be moved to admire.

They had only 35 per cent of possession in a 2-0 win at Manchester City in January and saw only 42 per cent of the ball in a 2-1 victory at Manchester United in the FA Cup last month.

And with Ozil, Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla supplying the bullets for Olivier Giroud, they can still put teams to the sword, as shown by the 4-1 victory over Liverpool three weeks ago.

"We are a bit more efficient defensively, but not necessarily more cautious," said Wenger, who is due to come up against his former captain Cesc Fabregas.

"Maybe we attack even more. There is less reluctance to go forward when we have the ball when the belief is stronger. When we go, we go."

Wenger's side slid to third place after Manchester City's 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday and will slip to fourth if Manchester United beat Everton on Sunday, but they retain games in hand on both their rivals.

Both teams have concerns over key players, with Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker a doubt with an ankle problem and Chelsea top scorer Diego Costa facing a late fitness test on his troublesome hamstring.