William Saliba and Jurrien Timber were on the scoresheet as Arsenal beat 10-man Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates to restore their five point lead at the top of the Premier League.
In a game shaped by set-pieces, Saliba opened the scoring from close range after Gabriel nodded back a Bukayo Saka corner. But the visitors, against the run of play, levelled in first-half stoppage time; Piero Hincapie diverting a Reece James delivery into his own net.
Arsenal were briefly on the ropes early in the second half but wrestled back control on 66 minutes, Timber rising to head home Declan Rice’s corner. A red card for Pedro Neto, shown two bookings in the space of four minutes, should have eased the tension, but there was still late drama, with David Raya forced into an important save to preserve the win.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…
Mikel Arteta on the win…
It was a big win. I was very happy for big parts of the game and the performance that we put in against a top side, coming after a London derby and the expectations and the will that we have to continue to win. The timing of the goal that we conceded was a big blow but emotionally we reacted, it was exactly what we needed to stay focused and go. It was a really dominant first half, but the margins were nothing. We said seven days ago, we were in the same position against Spurs, and we learned from that and look what happened in the second half. So, we tried to generate the same kind of game, it was a more even game in the second half, we had some periods, they had some periods,. We scored the goal and after they went down to 10 men we expected to be okay. We weren’t and credit to them as well for what they’ve done. But overall, very happy because this was a very, very important game.
Source: Arsenal.com
Liam Rosenior on a familiar story for his players…
Two goals from corners, and another red card, that is the story of our season and the story of the last few games. The first goal was top, Arsenal are the best team in the world at set-plays, but we have been working and talking about set-plays all week. The second one is the one that is difficult; we just have to deal with that moment better. I don’t want to keep coming out here and talking about the good that we do, because there is a lot that we do, but we are here to win games of football. We came here with a game-plan that we felt we could execute but we haven’t because we haven’t had a good discipline about us. The great thing is that we are playing the big teams. If we solve the problem and the performance level is there then we have a great chance. But we had to solve the problem yesterday to make sure we qualify for the Champions League.
David Raya on whether Arsenal were nervous in the closing stages…
It’s a massive win. Credit to the boys, the way we played, it was just incredible because we know how tough Chelsea are, very happy with the three points. I don’t think [we were worried]. Going down to 10 men doesn’t mean it’s going to be easier for us, they’re a good team who know what they’re doing. We just need to be more composed with the ball, after that it’s the way we manage the game. The defence were incredible today.
Source: premierleague.com
Arteta on Raya’s late save from Garnacho…
My heart almost stopped, but David’s hand was there to get it back to life. David is one of our leaders without a doubt, and he’s a keeper that knows how to maintain his focus and decide a football match when you need him. Because sometimes he doesn’t participate at all, and then in one action, you have to be there, and that’s very, very difficult to do.
Source: Sky Sports
Raya on his form and that late save…
Personally I feel really, really good. Especially coming off after the Wolves games, trying to bounce back to my normal self, really happy. That was very tough [the save from Garnacho], especially with two players going for the ball, it was hard to see, but I managed to claw it away.
Source: premierleague.com
Reece James on Chelsea’s disciplinary issues…
We have spoken. It has come up a number of times. Every time it is someone different. We need to review it internally. Of course it is a problem. We are playing in the toughest league in the world. 11 vs 11 is tough. 10 vs 11 is even harder no matter who you’re playing.
Source: Sky Sports
Big Gabi on bouncing back from the Wolves draw…
After Wolves, we talked to each other, and we knew we needed to be better. I think last week was amazing for us, and it gave a lot of energy to us to come into this game. We are very happy for the three points, but now we need to keep going. We know what’s coming, so we need to be ready.
Jurrien Timber on the win and enjoying the title race…
Chelsea are a great team. The first half going in at 1-1 was a bit of a shame. We didn’t give much away. We were quite dominant. You have to score more goals. Both sides were really good, it was a nice game to watch for the fans and our crowd got us through it and the three points were very important. We have to enjoy it. It is a privilege to be standing here with my teammates, with Arsenal, we are fighting for these titles. You have to enjoy it; it’s a beautiful place, and we are enjoying it. Game by game, and at the end, hopefully something beautiful.
Arteta on the importance of set pieces…
Very important, Chelsea are the second best with one less goal, look at the talent they have. We have lost points to long throws, lately we haven’t scored from many set-pieces. Today we did it, to have these options is great. They can be a nightmare to defend against. On tactics boards we can resolve any situation, but when it’s live and they are so aggressive, pushy, effective, difficult to handle, it’s very tough.
William Saliba on the win and his goal…
Today was not an easy game, against a top team. We should not concede the goal before half-time, but we did well to score in the second half with a beautiful goal from JT. We have to keep going, and we are happy to win today in front of our fans. It’s been a while that I haven’t scored, and it is unusual to score from one yard, so I am so happy, and I hope I will keep going like this.
Source: Sky Sports
Arteta on substituting Declan Rice…
He was feeling some discomfort, and he needed to be substituted.
Ian Wright on Arsenal looking nervous in the closing stages of games…
We’re seeing in the second half of games, you can get at Arsenal. Chelsea had 10 men there, it would be nice to find out what’s happening to Arsenal in the second half. It comes down to ‘you get the job done’, I’m happy the job is done, but I’m going to be nervous for the next game because I’m seeing that again in the second half.
Source: premierleague.com
Patrick Vieira’s assessment…
“I think from the Arsenal point of view, what really matters is the three points. It is really important for them. When you look at the game a bit deeper, scoring from set-plays, the game was more open than we expected. You would expect Arsenal to go a little more forward. I am a little bit disappointed, but what matters is to win. It’s not about the style because I think the style can be down to the fact they haven’t won the title in so long. There could be a little desperation and stress because they want to do so well that you are not taking the risks you are at the start of the season. Looking at where they are, a little bit of nervousness and pressure can have an impact on these games. I believe there is enough experience, quality, personality, to go on the field and win the game.
Source: Sky Sports
Chris Sutton gonna Chris Sutton…
Set-piece Arsenal, again. I think they are going to win it. If they get over the line, will they be the ugliest Premier League-winning team in history? The performance wasn’t there.
Gary Neville on Arsenal having to respond to City’s win over Leeds
It’s never easy when the team that you’re up against for the title play first on a Saturday, they win, get their points on the board, and then you’ve got to respond. It adds pressure, and you’ve got to get over the line. It’s hard work winning a Premier League title, and Arsenal are finding that. They’ve got another 10-12 weeks of this, but a good day for them today.
Source: Sky Sports