'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal handed a 0-1 defeat to a high-flying Chelsea team in a rather dull affair at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Jorginho's first-half error cost Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea three points. Emile Smith Rowe managed to find the back of the net courtesy of a Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang pass, following which the game did not see another goal.
The Blues dominated possession against an Arsenal outfit who were content with playing without the ball.
Chelsea will now shift their focus to Saturday's FA Cup final against fellow top-4 aspirants Leicester City. Despite the loss, Chelsea are still in control of their UCL qualification fate. Arsenal were also given a boost in their aspirations to feature in the Europa League next season.
Trending
Here are 5 major talking points from the Chelsea vs Arsenal game which ended in favor of the Gunners.
#5 One of the more memorable performances in an otherwise forgetful season for Arsenal
Arsenal completed a double over the Blues, following up their 3-1 home triumph in December with a sneaky 0-1 win on Wednesday. It was their first win on Chelsea's turf in the league in almost a decade.
The last time Arsenal won at Stamford Bridge, the game finished 3-5 with Robin van Persie scoring a memorable hat-trick back in October 2011.
Today's match pales in comparison, with Mikel Arteta's men failing to do anything of note in the opposition half. However, they collected the all-important 3 points, leaving them 8th in the table, a point shy of fierce rivals Tottenham.
Arteta won't be proud of his side's performance, but the victory will still go down in the history books and might just help him make an unexpected turnaround with the season about to come to an end.
#4 Chelsea's attack looked blunt
With Timo Werner struggling to find his shooting boots and both Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham possibly searching for a new destination for consistent game time, it looks like Chelsea will soon have to acquire a forward who can be a consistent goal-scorer.
The team's finishing woes were on full display tonight. The Blues couldn't find the back of the net against a very average Arsenal side.
The UCL finalists have struggled against a low block this season, dropping points against teams who defend deep. Chance creation has not been a concern, it's the finishing that has not been up to the mark.
Werner's compatriot Kai Havertz was the culprit today, missing a gilt-edged first-half chance which would have put Chelsea ahead. His night didn't get any better, as he was subbed for Olivier Giroud who had an equally poor outing.
Also Read: How Manchester United could line up against Liverpool | Premier League 2020/21
#3 Mikel Arteta's change in formation worked for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta reverted to a back-3 for the first time since December to match Chelsea's shape, a tactic that helped the Spaniard achieve his objective.
Arsenal completely neutralized Chelsea's threat, especially in the second half. The Blues finished the game with 5 shots on target, 3 of them coming in the dying minutes of the game.
Arteta has been criticized for his passive approach and build-out-of-the-back strategy at times, but his decision to field a lineup with a defensive mentality worked. Arsenal walked away with all 3 points against one of the best teams in Europe, justifying his selection and game plan.
#2 Jorginho's horror show cost Chelsea
In the 16th minute of the London derby, Chelsea's midfield conductor Jorginho played a blind back-pass to goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard somehow managed to keep the ball out of the goal, but Aubameyang was at hand to square the ball to Emile Smith Rowe, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to put Arsenal 1-0 up.
The sequence turned out to be the defining moment of the game, and Jorginho was unable to atone for his error. The Italy international was not his usual sharp self tonight, giving the ball away on various occasions. Jorginho had a night to forget and Tuchel will be hoping he redeems himself in the FA Cup final.
#1 Thomas Tuchel's gamble didn't pay off
With an eye on the upcoming FA Cup final against Leicester City, Thomas Tuchel made some key changes ahead of tonight's game. The German tactician started the game without starters like Edouard Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante and Timo Werner, a move that backfired completely.
Chelsea were unable to break down Arsenal's low block, pinging hopeful crosses into the six-yard box. Apart from Kurt Zouma's looping header late in the second half, the Blues didn't look like they were going to score even if the match went on for a quarter of an hour more.
Tuchel's decisions have been on point for Chelsea so far, but tonight's tinkering certainly cost the former Borussia Dortmund manager's side 3 vital points against Arsenal.
