Chelsea v Arsenal | Matches

Arsenal V
Bolton Wanderers
25TH OCT 2011

Saturday 29th October
Kick off: 12:45
Stamford Bridge

Chelsea
3 – 5
Arsenal

Arsenal V
Marseille
1ST NOV 2011

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FULL MATCH

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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.

Full Time WHAT A TURNAROUND. WHAT A PERFORMANCE. On another day it could have gone entirely differently. This game has had it all, and Arsenal are the side going home with the points.
Top Comments:
- henryfimibama on Twitter says:
  
  Glad to see the boys celebrating the victory as a team. You'd think it was a cup final
90

Yellow Card GAME OF THE SEASON: Can you believe this? Did anybody have Arsenal down for a result like this today? How has this happened? I need a lie down.
Top Comments:
- allanschoenberg on Twitter says:
  
  Can anyone stop Robin van Persie? The answer is clearly no
90

VAN PERSIE HAS A HAT-TRICK! You just don't get surprised anymore do you? Chelsea were threatening to pull level, but Arsenal raced up the other end, Van Persie gathered and fizzed an unstoppable effort past Cech.
Top Comments:
- abhay_raj on Twitter says:
  
  Who can score a hat-trick when it requires most?? No doubt only Robin Van Persi can
90

GOAL! - Robin van Persie 3 : 5 WHAT AN INCREDIBLE GAME! ARSENAL ARE TAKING HOME THE POINTS TODAY!
90

MATA GOES CLOSE: It's come off the backside of Santos and Arsenal escape!
90

FOUR MINUTES ADDED ON: Hang in there boys...
90

Yellow Card SONG PICKS UP A YELLOW: He'll take that.
89

CAN THEY HOLD ON? There's just minutes remaining here at Stamford Bridge. Has this one got another twist in its tail?
88

WHAT A BLOCK KOSCIELNY: The Frenchman combines with Vermaelen to block Mata's effort inside the box, the pair throwing themselves towards the ball.
88

Substitution VERMAELEN GETS HIS CAMEO: Off comes Gervinho, who's had another lively game down that left-hand side.
87

INCREDIBLE SCENES: This game really is quite something. Chelsea had the momentum and were the team most likely to score next. One slip and it's a whole new ball game.
85

IT'S TERRY WITH THE ERROR! The ball is passed to the centre-back, who inadvertedly slips. Van Persie is hot on his heels, races forward, jinks past Cech and finishes into am empty net.
85

GOAL! - Robin van Persie 3 : 4 WHAT IS HAPPENING?! ROBIN VAN PERSIE HAS PUT ARSENAL BACK AHEAD! WHAT A GAME!
84

KOSCIELNY DOES WELL: Lukaku threatens down the right, but the Frenchman forces him out wide. Arsenal eventually clear.
83

HOW WILL ARSENAL RESPOND? They've looked in control for much of this half, but now it's Chelsea for whom the pendulum has swung back to. You sense this is far from over.
81

SHOULD ARSENAL HAVE HAD A FREE-KICK? It certainly looked like it at the time. Wenger is furious, and he has reason to be.
80

GOAL! - Juan Mata 3 : 3 MATA SCORES: And what a goal from the Spaniard. It looked like it took a deflection, but that was still some strike from the young midfielder.
79

Substitution THEO COMES OFF TO A STANDING OVATION: It's Tomas Rosicky coming on. Theo deserves it, he's looked excellent today. Perhaps the big performance that was needed from him.
78

Yellow Card ...AND SO DOES Ivanovic
78

Yellow Card DOUBLE BOOKING: Van Persie and Ivanovic are getting a talking to from the referee. Robin sees yellow...
78

E-MAIL THE STUDIO: Get your thoughts on air with Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke at studio@arsenal.co.uk
77

HAVE YOUR SAY: Don't forget to get involved with the #ArsenalLive hashtag on Twitter.
76

Substitution CHELSEA MAKE THE CHANGE: Raul Meireles comes on for John Obi Mikel.
76

Substitution JENKINSON COMES ON: It's Johan Djourou the man coming off - like for like from Wenger.
75

GOOD PRESSURE VAN PERSIE: The Dutchman is hot on the heels of Cole, who is forced to play the ball out for a throw in a useful position.
74

RAMSEY WINS THE CORNER: Van Persie plays in the Welshman, but his shot inside the box is deflected for a corner.
Top Comments:
- JasonFlexDeejay on Twitter says:
  
  Ramseys vision today has been excellent
73

Substitution LUKAKU IS ON: The big Belgian arrives on pitch for Ramires. He's young, but what a presence he looks.
72

GOOD FROM SANTOS: Bosingwa tries to knock it past the Brazilian, but he wins it well and clears.
70

WELL PLAYED SONG: Chelsea break with Santos in no-man's land, but Alex Song sweeps up at the back excellently.
69

SZCZESNY DOES ENOUGH: Lampard dinks a free-kick into the Arsenal box, but the Pole leaps highest and gets enough to clear.
67

EXCELLENT FROM KOSCIELNY: Torres twists, turns and then twists some more - but Koscielny is having none of it. There are calls for a free-kick, but he's never getting that.
Top Comments:
- montychewtoy on Twitter says:
  
  Kos has been one of our best today
66

JEERS FOR LAMPARD: The midfielder wins the ball in the middle, only to play it straight out in search of Malouda. The Arsenal fans liked that one.
65

CHELSEA LOOK SHORT OF IDEAS: They're struggling to reproduce anywhere near the form they showed in the first half. Never write them off, mind.
Top Comments:
- RichardBurbidge on Twitter says:
  
  Tenacity needed now, let's stand firm at the back and nick another going forward
63

ARSENAL FANS MAKING ALL THE NOISE: They probably can't quite believe what they've seen either this half. Either way, they're enjoying themselves.
62

Substitution MALOUDA COMES ON: He'll enter the fray in place of Daniel Sturridge.
61

RAMSEY COULD HAVE GONE DOWN: If he does, it may have been a penalty. But he's too honest for that, and fair play to him. It was another Arsenal break.
Top Comments:
- fabianwriteonly on Twitter says:
  
  Ramsey such brilliant skill in the penalty box! Honest man. Didn't go down for a penalty
61

WHAT A BALL FROM LAMPARD: The England man whips in a belting effort which Szczesny is forced to punch away under pressure.
60

END-TO-END STUFF: This second half has simply erupted for Arsenal. Chelsea are going to have to attack, and space will surely be created for the likes of Walcott and Gervinho.
Top Comments:
- Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
  
  Cohesion is not there for Chelsea. They are holding a high line but again the likes of walcott, gervinho and van persie i'm not sure that's the right thing to do
58

COLE AT THE OTHER END: The former Gunner has been Chelsea's liveliest player so far. This time he spots Szczesny off his line, but the shot drops just over the bar.
57

UNBELIEVABLE RESPONSE FROM THE GUNNERS: Arsenal fans are jubilant, this is quite something from their team. Chelsea are completely shell-shocked.
Top Comments:
- JonnyEighty2 on Twitter says:
  
  Surely there is too long left to end 3-2!! I haven't got enough nails left for another 30 mins!
56

WHAT. A. GAME. And what an super finish from Walcott! The England man picks up the ball, drives into the box and unleashes a fine strike past Cech. GET IN THERE.
Top Comments:
- SwaritSohaard on Twitter says:
  
  Never count off Walcott out of the game. He will definitely hits very hard to haunt his opponents.
55

GOAL! - Theo Walcott 2 : 3 WALCOTT HAS HIS GOAL! WHAT A TURNAROUND FOR ARSENAL!
53

PING PONG IN THE BOX: There's heads all over the place, but Andre Santos is the man with the decisive challenge to clear for the Gunners.
53

WHAT A GAME WE HAVE: Four goals, two apiece - which way is this one going to go next? It's Arsenal with the momentum.
51

MERTESACKER DOES WELL: Lampard's free-kick is fearsome, but the centre-back does well to clear with his head.
50

Yellow Card HE'S SLIGHTLY LUCKY: The goalkeeper brings down Ashley Cole outside the area and picks up a yellow. Another referee may have been different.
49

GOAL! - Andre Santos 2 : 2 ANDRE SANTOS HAS DONE IT! WHAT A START TO THE HALF!
Top Comments:
- ashrafkharrubi on Twitter says:
  
  great run by Santos and his usual type of finish
48

TORRES TESTS THE WATER: The Spanish international lets rip towards goal, but Szczesny dives to his right and holds on well.
46

RAMSEY FLICKS OVER: The ball drops to the Welshman inside the box awkwardly, and he can only divert over the bar. Bright start for Arsenal.
46

EARLY CHANCE FOR VAN PERSIE: The striker is played out wide, but Cech's feet are there to deny his eventual effort.
46

WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: Can Arsenal turn the tide in this one?
Top Comments:
- Martin Hayes on Arsenal Player says:
  
  The next goal is crucial. But keep it tight and believe we can get another chance and we can get it
Half Time CHELSEA GO IN AHEAD: It's harsh on Arsenal, but Chelsea have ultimately been the better side. Work to do, but the Gunners have shown more than enough to suggest they can get back into this.
45

GOAL! - John Terry 2 : 1 AND IT'S IN: John Terry, the man in the spotlight for the week, is the man with the goal. He rose highest and nodded home to restore Chelsea's lead.
45

CHELSEA WIN THE CORNER: There's not long left of the half, but Cole has got his side a set-piece.
43

WALCOTT WHIPS ONE IN: The England winger is enjoying a dangerous game so far - this time he looks for Van Persie, but Ivanovic wins the aerial duel.
43

NOBODY LEAVING FOR HALF TIME EARLY: Forget the half-time pie, those Arsenal fans are enjoying the moment too much.
42

THIS IS JUST WHAT ARSENAL NEEDED: Chelsea really could have taken this one by the scruff of the neck once they scored - but the Gunners said no. Wenger will be delighted with his team's resilience.
41

VAN PERSIE CURLS ONE OVER: The skipper's tail is up, and he drifts over an ambitious free-kick from 35 yards out.
39

DISALLOWED GOAL: Ramires slots the ball across goal for Torres to finish off - but the linesman's flag rules it offside. A big call from the official there.
37

THAT'S THE RESPONSE: It's unselfish play from Gervinho, who finds himself clear through on goal. The Ivorian lays the ball off to his captain, who taps in for a simple finish. Game on.
36

GOAL! - Robin van Persie 1 : 1 IT's THERE! ROBIN VAN PERSIE IS THE MAN OF THE MOMENT ONCE MORE!
36

COLE THWARTS WALCOTT: Van Persie chips into the box for an aerial battle, the result of which sees Ashley Cole head away powerfully.
35

SZCZESNY HOLDS WELL: Bosingwa gets forward and fires in a cross, but the Polish keeper holds onto the ball well.
34

WE'VE HIT A LULL: I dare type this in the expectation that another opportunity is only just around the corner, but things have become a little tighter in this match.
32

RvP AND THEO THREATEN: The duo combine down the right, before Petr Cech gathers comfortably from Walcott's deflected cross.
31

ARSENAL GUILTY IN POSSESSION: Just as they threaten to build momentum, they give the ball away far too easily.
29

STURRIDGE SHOULD HAVE MADE IT TWO: The young England striker is onside through the middle, but scuffs an effort wide of the mark. He should have made the Gunners pay there.
28

ARSENAL PRESSING: They've somewhat plugged the waves of Chelsea attacks and are now coming into their own. Gervinho is played through the middle but then flagged offside.
27

OPTA GIVES US HOPE: According to those stats magicians, Arsenal have come from behind to claim 22 points against Chelsea in the Premier League - more than any other side against any other.
26

MERTESACKER HEADS CLEAR: Torres is sent flying down the left by Cole and delivers a ball into the box which Mertesacker diverts away from danger.
24

RAMSEY AND ARTETA ATTEMPT TO LINK UP: But a distinct lack of movement in the final third sees Chelsea claim the ball back. Arsenal are pushing, however, which is always positive.
23

KOSCIELNY HOLDING THINGS TOGETHER: The Frenchman's growing reputation is continuing here this afternoon. He's been called into action on numerous occasions so far.
22

ARSENAL ENJOYING POSSESSION: It's taken a while, but they finally have a footing on the ball. It's short-lived, however, as Chelsea regain the play.
20

"SHALL WE SING A SONG FOR YOU?", comes the cry from the Arsenal fans. Chelsea are winning, but you perhaps wouldn't know by the crowd...
19

MERTESACKER HEADS WIDE: The corner from Arteta is poor, but the ball loops back into the area and the big German nods tamely past the post.
19

GERVINHO WINS THE CORNER: The winger forces the challenge from Ivanovic and wins a corner for his side.
18

HOW WILL ARSENAL RESPOND? They missed two glorious opportunities at one end, before falling behind just moments later. They're pushing hard for this equaliser.
16

VAN PERSIE TWISTS AND TURNS: The Dutchman beats his man inside the box and lays the ball across goal - but there's nobody there.
14

GOAL! - Frank Lampard 1 : 0 AND THEY'VE FALLEN BEHIND! Juan Mata the architect, curling in a delightful ball into the box which Frank Lampard nods into the bottom corner.
13

VAN PERSIE FIRES OVER! My, my, Arsenal will be kicking themselves they haven't scored. Captain RvP is the guilty party this time around, lashing over a wonderful opportunity.
12

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A GOAL! Theo Walcott does brilliantly to evade Cole down the right, plays an inviting ball across the box for Gervinho only for the Ivorian to skew his effort wide. That should be one nil.
12

WALL DOES THE JOB: It's Frank Lampard with a speculative crack from range, but the ball cannons off Song and Arsenal clear their lines.
11

CHELSEA FREE-KICK: Mikel Arteta trips Ramires from behind, and Chelsea will have a set-piece around 40 yards from goal. The big men are forward.
9

MERTESACKER CLEARS: The German international rises highest to avert danger from Jose Boswinga's ball into the box. Szczesny gathers.
9

CHELSEA CONTROLLING EARLY PLAY: Arsenal haven't quite had the chance to find their rhythm just yet, and Chelsea are looking menacing early doors.
7

BOOS FOR COLE: Can you guess where they're coming from?
6

DJOUROU HAS HAD HIS WORK CUT OUT: He's going to have to keep a close eye on Cole today - Arsenal of all sides should be well aware of his attacking threat.
5

CHELSEA SHOULD SCORE! It's been a blistering start from Andre Villas-Boas' side. Ramires sprints down the right and looks for Torres in the box, but Szczesny smothers. Should have done better.
4

GREAT DEFENDING MERTESACKER: The big German slides in to halt another Ashley Cole cross into the box.
4

LIVELY START: Almost a nervy moment for Chelsea at the back, but it comes to nothing. The Blues have started this one well.
2

KOSCIELNY THWARTS TORRES! Ashley Cole is played down the left and cuts the ball in for Fernando Torres, but Koscielny is there to sweep away brilliantly for a corner.
WE'RE UNDERWAY: The excitement is building, Arsenal fans are leading the way and we're all set for a cracker at the Bridge.
HE'S DONE IT BEFORE: Arsenal's last victory here at Stamford Bridge arrived courtesy of a Van Persie brace. Can he repeat history?
AND HERE THEY COME: Arsenal are lead out once more by skipper Robin van Persie, who will no doubt be desperate to continue his fine run of scoring form.
FIVE MINUTES TO KICK-OFF: The atmosphere is building, despite Stamford Bridge still looking only half full. Arsenal have a good half of the Shed End behind the goal.
ARSENAL FANS STARTING EARLY: They're in a good vocal mood already this afternoon. It's a sold-out end as usual - here's hoping the Arsenal give them something to cheer about.
WHO WILL COME OUT ON TOP? It's a big game for both side's intentions this afternoon. For Arsenal it's a chance to show that they never really left. Three points would be incredibly important for confidence, and Wenger knows it.
A BEAUTIFUL AFTERNOON AT THE BRIDGE: The sun is soaking the pitch at Chelsea this afternoon. The Arsenal fans are in high spirits and ready to back their side to the hilt this afternoon.
BIG YARDSTICK FOR ARSENAL: Arsene Wenger says this game will be a measure of just how far Arsenal have come. It's difficult to disagree with him.
As ever you can get involved with the #ArsenalLive hashtag on Twitter. Alternatively, why not e-mail our commentary team of Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke at studio@arsenal.co.uk?
SUBSTITUTES: Blackman, Bertrand, David Luiz, Romeu, Meireles, Malouda, Lukaku.
CHELSEA: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Sturridge, Torres.
SUBSTITUTES: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Rosicky, Arshavin, Park.
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Andre Santos, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie.
TEAM NEWS: Thomas Vermaelen is not quite fit to take up a starting berth, meaning Johan Djourou will continue in the side at right-back. Carl Jenkinson is fit enough to make the bench.
I'm Joe Brewin, and I'll be running you through events here in west London this afternoon. The Chelsea press lounge is a hive of activity - everybody is ready for this one.
Good afternoon and welcome to Stamford Bridge, where Arsenal look to continue their strong run of form against Chelsea.