Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
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Kick of is at 1.30pm.
The teams for today can be seen below. Interestingly, Alexis Sanchez only makes the bench for Arsenal.
The teams are in... #CHEARS pic.twitter.com/gWhdTnahlO
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 17, 2017
Here's how we line up for #CFCvAFC... pic.twitter.com/nBeVhBOTjR
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 17, 2017
We’re under way…
Chelsea have started this game brightly.
Pedro has just tested Cech with a shot from distance.
Chelsea are already looking dangerous on the counter-attack.
Arsenal need to be careful they don’t get blown away in the first half, as was the case in their last away game against Liverpool.
Azpilicueta’s cross is headed just wide by Morata.
Chelsea continue to dominate in these opening stages.
Moses bursts down the right, and his cross is nervously cleared by the Arsenal defence.
The hosts are looking the much sharper of the two teams right now.
Chance for Arsenal!
Iwobi and Bellerin link up well down the the right. The latter’s cross finds Welbeck, whose header goes narrowly wide.
Lacazette’s snap shot forces Courtois to make a decent save.
Arsenal have been enjoying a good spell in these last few minutes.
Kolašinac unleashes a powerful shot from the edge of the box that Courtois is forced to parry away.
Moments later, Fabregas plays Pedro through with a brilliant defence-splitting pass, but the Spaniard’s tame finish is straight at Petr Cech.
Morata heads a Moses cross off target. It was not an easy chance.
As is often the case when Arsenal are playing, it’s been a very open start to this match.
In a deep midfield role, Aaron Ramsey too often follows his instinct to run upfield and attack. Monreal just warned him of the risks.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) September 17, 2017
An interesting stat…
Since Alexis Sanchez joined Arsenal, they have never won a Premier League game in which neither him nor Mesut Ozil started.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) September 17, 2017
Xhaka almost scores a spectacular goal.
His effort from distance narrowly misses the top corner.
Arsenal do not have the individual quality of Ozil or Sanchez, but is the absence of the pair a blessing in disguise?
There has so far been a greater sense of discipline and defensive responsibility evident than is normally the case with the Gunners.
Arsenal break promisingly, before Lacazette overhits a pass.
Neither side has been ruthless enough in the final third.
As I type though, Ramsey powers through on goal out of nothing, but his finish comes back off the post. Huge chance!
Moses gives the ball away and there are groans around Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal have done a good job frustrating the home fans in this first half.
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 0-0 ARSENAL
So half-time and Arsenal have been much better than they were against Liverpool.
The Gunners have been very disciplined without their star men, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
The visitors have probably had the better chances, with both Welbeck and Ramsey going close.
Chelsea have also threatened on the counter on occasion, with Morata looking dangerous at times.
Bakayoko is replacing Pedro.
Arsenal waltzed through Chelsea’s midfield all to easily in the first half at times.
The second half has begun…
Willian finds space on the edge of the area, but his shot is straight at Cech.
Moments later, Arsenal attack in numbers, but not for the first time, a poor pass from Lacazette causes them to concede possession.
Alonso breaks forward at pace but his shot is blocked.
This game remains finely balanced.
Good defending from Azpilicueta, who gets his body in front of Lacazette and shepherds the ball out of play.
The attack play hasn’t been great in recent minutes, so both sides will likely be considering introducing one of their stars from the bench.
Willian tries an audacious attempt from the edge of the area which goes off target.
Shortly thereafter, Kolašinac sprints through on goal, but can’t sort his feet out, and Chelsea clear.
It’s been a very even game.
Chelsea have had 51% possession and nine shots compared with 10 for Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez is on — he replaces Lacazette.
Should the Chilean score the winner here, his wantaway antics over the summer will be promptly forgotten.
Now Chelsea make their big change.
Eden Hazard is on for Willian.
Wenger's handling of Lacazette interesting. Dropped v Liverpool, excellent v Bournemouth, subbed for Sanchez after 65mins here.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) September 17, 2017
Welbeck lands awkwardly following a challenge with David Luiz.
He seems to have tweaked his groin, and is consequently replaced by Olivier Giroud.
Mustafi heads the ball into the net from an inswinging free kick.
It won’t count, however, as the defender is adjudged to be offside.
Eden Hazard bursts forward at pace. The substitute evades a few challenges, but his attempt is saved with relative ease by Cech.
Meanwhile, Arsenal make another change, as Elneny comes on for Iwobi.
Chelsea are starting to rally now, with players piling forward.
Moses has just had a powerful shot blocked on the edge of the area.
RED CARD FOR DAVID LUIZ!
David Luiz has been dismissed for a poor two-footed tackle on Kolašinac.
It’s dangerous play, so by the letter of the law, he has to go.
Chelsea respond to that setback by replacing Morata with Christensen.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time…
Ramsey is named man of the match.
The Wales international has been key to a disciplined Arsenal display today.
FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 0-0 ARSENAL
Right, that’s it from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting, and we’ll have more reaction to follow.
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