Marcos Alonso’s late strike handed Chelsea a narrow victory over London rivals Arsenal in Maurizio Sarri’s first home game as the Blues manager.
Pedro put Chelsea ahead at the Stamford Bridge just nine minutes into the game, before Alvaro Morata ended his goal drought to make it 2-0 in the 20th minute. However, Arsenal came back strongly and were back on level terms before half-time, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi scoring in the space of four minutes.
Both teams continued to trade blows post the break, but it was the Blues who had the last laugh as Alonso slid home an Eden Hazard pass ten minutes from time to seal the victory. The win sent Maurizio Sarri’s men to the top of the Premier League table, while Arsenal sit in the 17th spot after the result.
The defences of both teams drew some flak from the fans, having looked quite dodgy all through the game;
https://twitter.com/SemperFiUtd/status/1030870836159242240
Mustafi + Sokratis
Luiz + Rüdiger
Both CB partnerships displaying why Arsenal and Chelsea are the bookies' favourites to finish outside the top 4.
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/RobUsry/status/1030865429433135104
Recap of Arsenal Vs Chelsea first half https://t.co/JTOjcHsmzy
— Kavi (@blurt2kc) August 18, 2018
I can’t work out if Arsenal are actually good or Chelsea are just woeful at the back
— Andy Castell (@AJ3) August 18, 2018
Chelsea v Arsenal good game made better due to two very poor defences
— Dobo (@DobinsonLee) August 18, 2018
Based on what I saw of today's Chelsea-Arsenal game, I would wish that Liverpool could play Chelsea soon. They look vulnerable at the back while learning a new system – which we could exploit. Jorginho looks a very good player, as expected.
— Shane Fitzpatrick (@fitz_xoxo) August 18, 2018
By far worse defending than anything in the Chelsea-Arsenal.
— Derek (@DerekT86) August 18, 2018
The number of times Chelsea are allowing Arsenal to get to the byelines and cut the ball back is alarming. Man City would have scored 5 by now. Sarri needs to have a proper word at half time. The big plus is our new striker Alvaro Morata. He looks great.
— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/allasFCB/status/1030894224261169153
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was ridiculed by the fans after his shocking miss in the first period, when the Gabonese striker skied his shot from six yards out when it seemed impossible to miss.
How has he missed this? #CHEARS #Aubameyang pic.twitter.com/n1Q7daCIAY
— Mike Pieri (@delpieri) August 18, 2018
Aubameyang making Morata look like Ronaldo
— Andy Castell (@AJ3) August 18, 2018
Aubameyang had a shocker tonight, still can’t believe he missed those 2 chances.
— Osman (@OsmanZtheGooner) August 18, 2018
Another big game choke job from Aubameyang. Again, I was the first to tell you and I got abused.
— Ahead of the Curve (@mediocentr0) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/FutbolBible/status/1030859244508205057
When you spend all of you XP upgrading pace instead of shooting #Aubameyang
— Andy Castell (@AJ3) August 18, 2018
The Dortmund connection alive and well at Arsenal as Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan both try and play 400-mile passes to Marco Reus instead of scoring tap-ins.
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/fabolous3d/status/1030868206137864193
https://twitter.com/Mr_Ceyram/status/1030860867930411008
You'll never see a miss as bad as that Aubameyang open goal…
Mkhitaryan 'hold my beer'
Arsenal have been terrible #CHEARS
— ⚽️442oons⚽️ (@442oons) August 18, 2018
Aubameyang skies one over from point blank range. Mkhitarian skies one over from point blank range. If you believe in Reincarnation and Karma, does that mean Arsenal fans must have all been serial killers in previous lives?
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/MrAubameyang/status/1030867027353890818
Aubameyang couldn't even control alt delete.#CHEARS
— RedDevilTimes (@RedDevilTimes) August 18, 2018
When Morata was out there working on his game..this is what Aubameyang was doing #TouchlineFracas pic.twitter.com/fBcGpcANXP
— Agent Of Chaos (@BabzJ1_14) August 18, 2018