(Getty)
Final Score
Chelsea 0-2 — 2
Arsenal 0-0 — 0
Chelsea got their Premier League season kick-started with a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. It was a vintage Chelsea performance as their defense was rock solid, a goal came from a set piece and their tough style of play led to Arsenal retaliation.
The Gunners were reduced to nine men as Gabriel and Santi Cazorla were sent off in the match. Kurt Zouma took advantage for Chelsea in the 53rd minute with a header for his first Premier League goal, and Eden Hazard scored in injury time to wrap up the win.
Check below stats and highlights of the match.
Stats
Goals: Chelsea: Kurt Zouma (53′), Eden Hazard (90′)
Shots (On Goal): Chelsea 22 (7 on goal), Arsenal 9 (2 on goal)
Tackles: Chelsea 23, Arsenal 20
Fouls: Chelsea 12, Arsenal 11
Possession: Chelsea 63%, Arsenal 37%
Cards: Chelsea: Diego Costa (45′), Branislav Ivanovic (49′), Oscar (64); Arsenal: Santi Cazorla (31′, 79′ RED), Gabriel (45′ RED), Calum Chambers (72′)
Attendance: 41,584
Lineups
Chelsea: Begovic, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Matic, Fabregas, Oscar, Hazard, Pedro, Costa
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott
Pedro Missed the First Real Chance of the Game
A pretty dull 30 minutes led to this half chance from Pedro, who couldn’t corral the ball at the final moment, and Arsenal goal Petr Cech had an easy pickup.
Gabriel Received a Red Card for Arsenal
A bizarre incident with Diego Costa resulted in Arsenal defender Gabriel getting sent off right on half time. Costa, the great instigator, got the job done here.
Kurt Zouma Scored for Chelsea Early in the 2nd Half
It was a classic Chelsea goal as Kurt Zouma rose highest to a free kick and beat Cech near post.
Santi Cazorla Was Sent off Late in the Game
Arsenal were reduced to nine men when midfielder Santi Cazorla received a second yellow card for a challenge on Cesc Fabregas.
Eden Hazard Scored for Chelsea in the 90th Minute
Chelsea forward Eden Hazard wrapped up the points late on with a goal off a deflected shot.
London Rivals Meet at Stamford Bridge
Petr Cech lifted the Community Shield with Arsenal in August. (Getty)
In and out of the lineup for most of his Arsenal career, Theo Walcott will likely get called upon to generate the Arsenal offense against Chelsea in a crucial game for both teams.
A lot of this has to do with the ineffectiveness of the much-maligned Olivier Giroud, but Walcott scored in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and likely poses more of a threat than the Frenchman.
The Gunners were defeated in Croatia as they rested a number of players ahead of the Chelsea match.
Chelsea’s defense has been rattled early in the Premier League season, conceding a league-high 12 goals in five matches. Midfielder Willian will not take part in the match as he’s out with a hamstring injury. Pedro is questionable for the game.