For 82 minutes against Chelsea on Sunday, Arsenal put forth a performance of rare shape, commitment and defensive solidity on manager Mikel Arteta’s home debut. But then Mason Mount’s innocuous free kick fluttered over the despairing arm of Bernd Leno and the excrement hit the air-conditioning again inside the Emirates.
Before that moment, Arsenal’s charge back up the Premier League table looked destined. The Gunners’ supremacy was outlined by the game’s opening goal in the 13th minute — a Mesut Özil corner finding Calum Chambers for the flick before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provided the final touch.
AUBAMEYANG pic.twitter.com/jEOly1uslN
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 29, 2019
And that opening period of dominance was quickly recognized by Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who withdrew Emerson in the 34th minute in favor of Jorginho and a switch to a four-man backline.
The only negative for Arsenal in the first half was an injury to Chambers and the forced introduction of Shkodran Mustafi (more on this man later). But in a feisty London derby that included 32 fouls and nine yellow cards, Arsenal looked more than up for it with Mattéo Guendouzi bossing the midfield and Özil providing moments of brilliance when sporadically involved.
However, it all went out the window in the 83rd minute when Jorginho dropped Lucas Torreira to the floor before capitalizing on Leno’s howler.
Leno missed it, and Jorginho levels it! pic.twitter.com/zc4fHbBSRC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 29, 2019
Arsenal quickly looked to rebound and Arteta sent on Nicolas Pépé as a sign of intent, but the desire to find another goal would be the Gunners’ undoing. In the 87th minute, an Arsenal attack quickly transitioned to a Chelsea counter.
Tammy Abraham got on the ball and was allowed to turn and run from inside his own half to the edge of Arsenal’s area, and then the striker exchanged passed with Willian before finishing from six yards out. Mustafi was an extremely accommodating defender throughout the entire move, doing absolutely zero defending on Abraham from start to finish.
WHAT AN ENDING TO THIS GAME TAMMY ABRAHAM pic.twitter.com/LlcOyjBWZS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 29, 2019
For Arsenal, the defeat leaves the club in 12th place. The Gunners are six points above the relegation zone and 11 points behind Chelsea in fourth. For Chelsea, the victory consolidates the Blues’ Champions League place. They’re four points clear of fifth-place Manchester United and three behind Manchester City in third.
Christian Pulisic wasn’t available today after suffering a hamstring injury in training. According to Chelsea’s statement, he was left out “as a precaution,” so hopefully it’s not serious at this point.
Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Brighton on Jan. 1. Arsenal hosts Man United on that same day. The Gunners have now played 10 EPL matches at the Emirates this campaign and have won only three of them (3W 4D 3L).
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