Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal: David Luiz sees red as rivals share the spoils in comedy of errors

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James Olley21 January 2020

Hector Bellerin scored an 87th-minute equaliser as ten-man Arsenal twice came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw at Chelsea after David Luiz had been sent off on his return to Stamford Bridge.

Bellerin marked his first appearance since December 5 following a hamstring injury with his first goal in more than two years, completing a chaotic end to a pulsating game.

Jorginho opened the scoring with 28 minutes gone from the penalty spot after Luiz had hauled down Tammy Abraham in the box, receiving his marching orders on his return to west London following an £8million summer move to the Gunners.

Gabriel Martinelli’s tenth goal of a promising debut season drew Arsenal level before Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had won it with an 84th-minute header.

But Bellerin curled home a left-footed effort from the edge of the area to earn Mikel Arteta’s side a valuable point and dent Chelsea’s hopes of a top-four finish.

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The Spaniard’s inclusion was the only change to the team that drew with Sheffield United last weekend while Chelsea made two alterations of their own, with Mateo Kovacic and Emerson coming in for Mason Mount and Reece James as Lampard sought greater intensity from his players following a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.

After Arsenal briefly threatened to assume early control, it was the Blues who created the better initial opportunities. Antonio Rudiger met Emerson’s 10th-minute corner with a firm header which hit Andreas Christensen and drifted just wide.

Another Rudiger header caused Arsenal problems five minutes later as he headed Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross into Abraham’s path but the striker could only plant his own header straight at Bernd Leno from six yards out.

Hudson-Odoi then hit the crossbar from a teasing cross as Chelsea began to dominate but they needed an all-too typical defensive implosion from the Gunners to take the lead.

Under minimal pressure, Mustafi, looking to play out from the back, gifted possession to Jorginho and his pass released Abraham in behind Luiz. The Brazilian scrambled as best he could but as Abraham rounded Leno, Luiz felled him to earn his dismissal with VAR confirming referee Stuart Attwell’s decision he had not made a genuine attempt to play the ball.

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“David Luiz, he’s one of our own,” sang the gleeful home supporters. Hudson-Odoi stung Leno’s hands with a shot a few minutes later as Arsenal wobbled but they rallied before the interval, responding to their numerical disadvantage in impressive fashion.

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Arteta was close to introducing Rob Holding before half-time but instead he waited until ten minutes afterwards and chose Matteo Guendouzi instead, replacing Mesut Ozil to end another big game which largely passed the German international by.

Yet the Gunners continued to battle and Martinelli took advantage of a fortuitous moment to equalise 27 minutes from time.

Mustafi headed clear a Chelsea corner and although too many players were caught upfield, Kante had the situation under control as Martinelli overran the ball in the centre-circle.

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Yet he slipped with the ball arriving at his feet and Martinelli was suddenly clear, keeping his composure superbly to bear down on Kepa Arrizabalaga and slide a cool finish past his fellow Brazilian.

Lampard responded by introducing Ross Barkley and Mount for Kovacic and Kante but it was Willian and then Abraham who forced Leno into routine saves as Chelsea sought to respond.

Arsenal’s goalkeeper was called upon to make a better stop as Barkley attempted to glance a header inside his right-hand post. He was helpless late on, however, as Hudson-Odoi’s cross was met by Azplicueta in the box and he steered shot into the corner.

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Abraham limped to his team-mates to celebrate but was palpably injured, a situation which led to a farcical end as Chelsea were furious the Gunners did not kick the ball out as the England striker lay stricken on the turf.

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However, the Blues opted against doing the same when twice winning back possession and they were punished when Bellerin took full advantage.

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21 January 2020

Arteta admits it's win or bust for Arsenal's top four hopes

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal need to beat Chelsea tonight to keep their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive.

"Tomorrow we need to win," Arteta replied when asked about the importance of the result during his pre-game press conference.

"It's really important. It's very, very important for us to win this game - to fight for that.

"Also, the game we played at home, it could have made a big difference and we were very close to it.

"Everyone is having a lot of problems to put together back-to-back wins, the league has been very competitive this season and that is why the gaps aren't that big.

"There are still four months to play and a lot of things can happen, a lot of games between the top teams as well so I think that will change."

21 January 2020

Lampard defends Kepa

Frank Lampard backed Kepa Arrizabalaga's after the Spanish goalkeeper's error led to Chelsea's 1-0 loss at Newcastle.

Kepa managed to lay a glove on Isaac Hayden's injury-time header at St James' Park on Saturday, but could not palm the effort around the post.

"I will always defend all the players and if there are individual errors then players are the first ones to put their hands up and goalkeepers should be as well," said Lampard.

"It is an isolated and difficult job because the spotlight is on you individually. At times he has made good saves for us this season and at times he'll say he wants to do better.

"He is still relatively young as a goalkeeper, he wants to improve, as he should do. He can improve as much as all the team and we can improve."

21 January 2020

How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal on TV and online

The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage starting from 7:30pm GMT for an 8:15pm kick-off time.

BT Sport subscribers will also be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.

If you can't watch it, or just want some expert analysis to go alongside your viewing pleasure, then stick with this blog. You know you want to...

21 January 2020

We will have confirmed team news at 7:15pm, so watch this space...

21 January 2020

Looking back

Here's Lampard and Arteta locked in a midfield battle back in 2011 - they probably won't get this close on the Stamford Bridge touchline tonight, but we can't promise anything...

21 January 2020

Chelsea vs Arsenal predicted lineups

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho, Barkley; Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Willian

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Mustafi, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Lacazette

21 January 2020

Arsenal team news (Simon Collings)

Centre-back Sokratis is a doubt due to illness, so Shkodran Mustafi should keep his place alongside David Luiz in the heart of defence. Rob Holding is a contender though to come in.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles should stay at right-back as Hector Bellerin has not played since mid December, while Bukayo Saka is the only option at left-back due Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney’s injuries.

Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira are expected to remain as the midfield pairing, although Matteo Guendouzi could make an appearance.

The front four is likely to be the same that faced Sheffield United as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still out suspended.

Winger Reiss Nelson is also an absentee with a hamstring problem and will not return until February.

Provisional Arsenal squad: Leno, Martinez, Bellerin, Papastathopoulos, Luiz, Mustafi, Holding, Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, Torreira, Xhaka, Willock, Ceballos, Saka, Pepe, Lacazette, Martinelli, Nketiah.

21 January 2020

Chelsea team news (James Olley)

Lampard was set to hand Reece James a late fitness test after the 20-year-old full-back suffered a knee problem in Saturday's 1-0 loss at Newcastle.

Should James fail to recover, Cesar Azpilicueta will switch to right-back with either Emerson Palmieri or Marcus Alonso coming in at left-back.

Alonso’s only appearance since November 5 was in last month’s 2-0 win at Tottenham, so Emerson looks favourite to deputise having come off the bench to replace his young team-mate at St James’ Park last Saturday.

Elsewhere, Lampard may look to freshen up his midfield with Ross Barkley a possible inclusion.

The Blues’ head coach wants more end product from his front three but with Christian Pulisic out injured, he may persevere with Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi either side of Tammy Abraham in attack.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains several weeks away from a return as he recovers from Achilles surgery.

Provisional Chelsea squad: Arrizabalaga, Zouma, Christensen, Rudiger, Tomori, Emerson, James, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Lamptey, Kovacic, Jorginho, Willian, Kante, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Batshuayi, Caballero, Gilmour, Barkley, Pedro, Giroud.

21 January 2020

Lampard vs Arteta

It's a battle of midfielders in the dugout this evening, with Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta trying to outwit each other.

Chelsea have had their struggles at home, but Arsenal have also shown an alarming ability to throw away games of late - and that should make this a fascinating tactical battle.

21 January 2020

Hello and welcome to our LIVE rolling coverage of Chelsea vs Arsenal tonight!

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