The boss speaks to the media ahead of Chelsea game
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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate with David Hillier and your host Richard Fleming
Full Time FULL TIME: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal
90
SO CLOSE: Giroud gets up to flick Wilshere's corner at goal. It goes just over
Top Comments:
@W_EngstrOm on Twitter says:
Second half performance was awesome, just need some target practice.
90
LAST DITCH: Giroud nearly sets Walcott free but Cahill gets across to cover
90
ARSENAL HAVE A CORNER: It's now or never...
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FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON: Can Arsenal find an equaliser?
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GIROUD HAS A POP: His effort from 30 yards is saved by Cech though
88
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea bring on Marko Marin for Hazard
87
JUST WIDE: Vermaelen flashes the free kick off target
86
Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Cole fouls Sagna just outside the area and is carded
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
That was cynical from Cole. It's not a red because there were covering defenders, but Arsenal would have had a clear scoring opportunity
83
WHAT A SAVE: Ba beats Szczesny to the ball but Vermaelen tracks superbly and saves the shot on the line
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Fine stop for the Belgian. That was a sure goal. Things like that are what can change a game.
81
Substitution CHELSEA SUBSTITUTION: Demba Ba is on for Torres
76
WELL HELD: Torres tests Szczesny from range, but the goalkeeper is always behind the effort and saves comfortably
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal have let their foot off the gas a bit. Injuries and substitutions have broken up play
75
Substitution HERE HE COMES: The Russian is on for Diaby
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Cazorla is moving inside and Arshavin will play out left
74
ARSHAVIN IS BEING READIED: Wenger looks set to reshuffle his pack
72
GOOD SAVE SZCZESNY: Ramires' shot skids off the turf but the goalkeeper parries it away well
72
Substitution CHELSEA SUBSTITUTION: Ryan Bertrand is on for Oscar
71
TORRES BREAKS: He sprints away from Vermaelen but Sagna knocks his cross away from danger
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal are attacking so much, gambling so much that Chelsea have been getting some space
69
TORRES BURSTS THROUGH: The striker accelerates away from Vermaelen, but his next touch is poor and Szczesny gathers
69
CLOSE: Gibbs flashes a ball across the face of goal but no Arsenal player can get a touch. Chelsea are holding out, just...
67
THE WALL DOES ITS JOB: Cazorla's effort is deflected over
65
Yellow Card BOOKING: Mata is cautioned for kicking the ball away. Arsenal have a free kick in a dangerous position
64
ARSENAL HAVE RAISED THEIR GAME: Wenger's men are enjoying a lot more possession this half. The hosts seem increasingly nervous
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal have looked much more dangerous since WIlshere moved up to the Cazorla role
63
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTION: Aaron Ramsey replaced Coquelin after Walcott had scored
61
WALCOTT GOES CLOSE: Arsenal break at speed and, after an incisive move, Walcott shoots wide
Top Comments:
@Howells_SD on Twitter says:
Walcott and Wilshere are looking in an different class to the rest of the Arsenal XI.
58
Substitution IT WAS CLINICAL: Cazorla slipped the ball through and Walcott opened his body up to beat Cech
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
This game has changed and Arsenal have the capacity to change it even further.
58
GOAL! - Theo Walcott 2 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: Walcott scores!
57
UNLUCKY: Giroud can't get enough purchase on GIbbs' cross
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OFFSIDE: Giroud looks to go through, but the linesman raises his flag
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HE'S OKAY TO CONTINUE: Giroud is back on
52
GIROUD IS DOWN: The striker goes down clutching his lower back after colliding with Cahill
49
BRIGHT START: Arsenal have began the second half with a real purpose. Chelsea surrendered a two-goal lead in their last home game, against Southampton. Wenger will be hoping for a goal to really put the pressure on
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
If Arsenal can get a goal – get at Chelsea – they can get the Chelsea fans in their favour. But they have got to score
48
CHANCE FOR WALCOTT: He gets away from the defence but shoots straight at Cech
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
That's two chances in the opening few minutes. I just think there is something in this game for Arsenal. And Chelsea look like they can give something up
47
HALF CHANCE: Chelsea fail to clear Wilshere's free kick and the ball falls to Mertesacker, who digs out a shot that Cech saves
46
COQUELIN FOULED: Ramires brings the midfielder down just inside the Chelsea half. This time the referee blows
Kick Off WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: Arsenal kick off the second half
Top Comments:
@Willythinks on Twitter says:
Score is no surprise. Chelsea are pressing the ball, Arsenal aren't. Result is more chances for CFC on counter, AFC sluggish
45
HERE COME THE TEAMS: It's going to require a big effort from the men in red to turn this game around
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Still snowing in West London. Light snow but it has been coming down for the last three or four hours.
Half Time HALF TIME: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
Top Comments:
@KILLManoo on Twitter says:
Chelsea are up 2-0 at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal and I can't even hear any of their fans.
45
OFFSIDE: Coquelin turns and slips through Walcott, who was offside
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
There is a goal or two for Arsenal in this game.
45
ONE MINUTE OF STOPPAGE TIME: Can Arsenal find a response before half time?
Top Comments:
@guy_clarke93 on Twitter says:
Cazorla ineffectual in a big game like this on the left, needs to be involved as Arsenal need to try and get some control
45
CHANCE FOR TORRES: A Chelsea free kick is not properly cleared. The ball falls to Torres in the area, but he miscues well off target
41
OFFSIDE: Wilshere slips Walcott through, but he had just strayed past the last defender
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Chelsea haven't been water tight – Arsenal have gotten their chances but haven't taken them.
38
SAGNA IS HURT: The defender hobbles off for treatment, but is alright to continue for the time being
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
I think this is the culmination of several incidents. Sagna is back on the field of play but he doesn't look anything like 100 per cent
@krayzeekris on Twitter says:
Was just thinking Sagna could do with a break, he's been poor for weeks, let him rest give Jenk a deserved run out
36
BIG CHANCE: Ramires gets away from Gibbs but then blazes over. It's a let off for Arsenal
34
NICE PLAY: Walcott and Wilshere combine well, but the former is flagged offside after advancing into the area
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WHAT DO YOU THINK? Our dedicated hashtag on Twitter is #CFCvAFC
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WELL PLAYED WALCOTT: The England international finds Sagna in space, but the full back's return pass is too weak and is cut out by Ivanovic
28
ARSENAL ATTACK: Walcott finds Sagna down the rigtm but his cross is too close to Cech
26
VERMAELEN IS ALERT: Cole heads the ball across the penalty area, but the Arsenal captain reads the pass and gets to the ball before Torres can
Top Comments:
@Drillakidmusic on Twitter says:
Arsenal are allowing Chelsea to have time on the ball. Get to them quicker and stop them moving the ball around
22
CHELSEA BREAK: The hosts counter after Cech claims an Arsenal corner. Szczesny comes out well to smother Mata's effort
19
IT'S ALL CHELSEA: Most of the game has been played in Arsenal's half. The attacking triumvirate of Hazard, Oscar and Mata have looked especially dangerous
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal have 70 minutes to solve this. It is doable. They have to man up and take it to Chelsea
16
GOAL! - Frank Lampard 2 : 0 GOAL FOR CHELSEA: Lampard sends Szczesny the wrong way
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Both of those goals were eminently preventable.
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal need to get some solidity. Remember they were trailing 3-1 last year and they came back to win 5-3.
15
Yellow Card PENALTY FOR CHELSEA: Szczesny fells Ramires in the area and the home side have a penalty...
Top Comments:
@TroyRucarean on Twitter says:
A foul not called on the first goal and a phantom dice penalty called. Arsenal can never catch a break.
14
IT'S VERY OPEN: Both teams are pouring men forward. It's been a really attacking start here
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NOW CHELSEA ATTACK: Hazard glides past two challenges before hitting a shot that Szczesny has to parry behind
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
This is a vital vital save from Szczesny on Hazard because Arsenal cannot afford to go down 2-0
9
GOOD EFFORT: Cazorla's powerful drive from outside the area is parried behind by Cech. It's been a breathless start at Stamford Bridge
8
COQUELIN IS BACK: The Frenchman is okay to continue having received treatment
6
COQUELIN HURT: The midfielder was hurt in the build-up to the goal. The referee waved play on, the hosts broke, and Mata finished emphatically
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
That should have been a foul. I don't see how the referee could have seen that. If not for that, Arsenal would not be down 1-0.
6
GOAL! - Juan Mata 1 : 0 GOAL FOR CHELSEA: Juan Mata meets a ball over the top and clinically shoots past Szczesny
5
WHAT A CHANCE: Walcott plays an inch perfect through ball to Giroud. The striker is in on goal but drags his effort a yard or so wide
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Absolutely clear opportunity for Giroud. He timed his run perfectly, but he dragged his foot and it went just inches wide. That is absolutely crucial. It would have made such a difference if Arsenal had taken the lead.
3
EARLY EFFORT: Ivanovic rises highest to meet Lampard's free kick, but he flicks his effort well over
1
IS THAT A PENALTY? Oscar goes down under a challenge in the box but referee Atkinson waves play on
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
If that were later in the game it would have been a yellow card. One of the bits of nonsense about this game
Kick Off THE REF BLOWS AND WE'RE UNDERWAY: The hosts kick us off and are immediately on the attack
HERE THEY COME: The teams are out and we are just moments away from getting underway
MATCHDAY SHOW IS UNDERWAY: Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke are your commentary team at a chilly Stamford Bridge
FIVE MINUTES TO GO: Kick off is nearly upon us at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal will be hoping to cut the gap between the sides to two points with victory
Top Comments:
David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
I'm not going for the normal 4-1 like I normally do. I'm settling for a 1-1. IT would be nice to see Arsenal get a clan sheet, but I think each side will get a goal in this snowfest
What do you think of Arsenal's team? Let us know by tweeting #CFCvAFC
CHELSEA SUBS: Turnbull, Ferreira, Terry, Ake, Bertrand, Marin, Ba
CHELSEA TEAM: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Torres
Top Comments:
David Hillier on Arsenal Player says:
Chelsea are playing under the radar at the moment. They've picked up some big wins and they are holding on to third place in the league.
ARSENAL SUBS: Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Ramsey, Arshavin
Top Comments:
@DuhBurnz on Twitter says:
No Podolski or the Ox!! Looks like have pretty weak bench need a few more players in January but I still think we have this!
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Diaby, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud
The team news is in, so without further ado...
The debate will be raging on Twitter as well. Use our dedicated hashtag #CFCvAFC to join the conversation
Our Matchday Show gets underway at 1pm (UK time) with David Hillier alongside Richard Fleming in the studio and Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke in the commentary box. Get in touch with them throughout the day at www.arsenal.com/studio
Theo Walcott was among the scorers on that day, and he of course signed a long-term contract to stay with the Club on Friday. Will he celebrate with a goal?
It's another big game in the race for a top-four finish. Arsene Wenger will be hoping for a similar result to last season, when his side triumphed 5-3
Top Comments:
@AshleyRWBurton on Twitter says:
C'mon Arsenal great time to be facing Chelsea with all the negativity surrounding Stamford Bridge. 3points please.
Welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of our Premier League game against Chelsea at a snowy Stamford Bridge
Chelsea
01 CECH, Petr
02 IVANOVIC, Branislav
03 COLE, Ashley
24 CAHILL, Gary
28 AZPILICUETA, Cesar
08 LAMPARD, Frank
07 RAMIRES, Nascimento
11 OSCAR, Emboaba
34 BERTRAND, Ryan (72)
17 HAZARD, Eden
21 MARIN, Marko (88)
10 MATA, Juan
09 TORRES, Fernando
29 BA, Demba (81)
22 TURNBULL, ROSS
19 FERREIRA, PAULO
21 MARIN, MARKO
26 TERRY, JOHN
29 BA, DEMBA
34 BERTRAND, RYAN
57 AKE, NATHAN
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
04 MERTESACKER, Per
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
28 GIBBS, Kieran
22 COQUELIN, Francis
16 RAMSEY, Aaron (58)
02 DIABY, Abou
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (75)
10 WILSHERE, Jack
19 CAZORLA, Santi
14 WALCOTT, Theo
12 GIROUD, Olivier
24 MANNONE, VITO
25 JENKINSON, CARL
11 SANTOS, ANDRE
06 KOSCIELNY, LAURENT
16 RAMSEY, AARON
26 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
Top Comments:
@KParekh93 on Twitter says:
Definitely deserved a point! Second half was all Arsenal!