Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku scored on his returning debut for Chelsea as the Thomas Tuchel’s side ran out comfortable winners over London rivals Arsenal.
Reece James made the first goal for Lukaku and scored the second but it was the Belgian hit man who will make the morning headlines as the European Champions made it two wins from two. Here at SBOTOP we expected Lukaku to feature and that made Premier League: Arsenal vs Chelsea a daunting prospect for the Gunners, and so it turned out to be as he outmuscled the hosts’ defence in a complete centre forward performance.
Of the challengers to Manchester City’s title, the Blues look the most likely, and now with their returning hero back on the score sheet they will take some stopping.
Highlights of the game
Chelsea controlled the first half from start to finish and it took just 15 minutes for them to get their noses in front when Lukaku struck. The big Belgian started the move, shielding the ball and shrugging off two Gunners’ defenders before spreading it out wide to James, who then put it back on a plate for a tap-in. It was classic Lukaku as he showed the most will and passion to meet the squared ball to get his goal. The Arsenal fans must have despaired at how easy it was for the Chelsea man to brush off the challenge from their centre back Pablo Mari.
Lukaku had a chance to make it two, just five minutes later, but his header looped over the bar and then Mason Mount had a shot charged down. But the Arsenal defence was all over the place when the Blues made it two. Lukaku again held off a challenge to let the ball run to Mount, and he pushed it out to the right edge of the penalty area where James picked up the ball on the overlap and took a great first touch before firing his shot into the top left corner.
Alongside Lukaku, James had a brilliant first half, but he had his heart in his mouth after he stepped across Bukayo Saka and the young England star tumbled to the ground in the penalty area. The referee was unmoved and VAR backed him up as the Blues went into half time 2-0 up. Saka had gone over easily, to be fair, but last season he may well have got a penalty.
The Arsenal vs Chelsea betting odds backed a Blues win from the outset and after 45 minutes the price had dropped dramatically.
Could Mikel Arteta lift his team to greater heights in the second 45? Well they held their own in the early stages and should have halved the deficit when Rob Holding had the goal at his mercy when he met a knock back from a corner, but he headed wide. At the other end Bernd Leno had to make a world class save to keep out Lukaku. James pulled a ball back for Mount on the right wing and he put in a delightful cross which Lukaku met full force and we all expected the net t bulge, but Leno got a hand to it to divert the header onto the crossbar and away to safety.
Key statistics
Arsenal had won the last four competitive meetings with the Blues but they were never in this game as the Arsenal vs Chelsea highlights told a story of Blue domination, as Tuchel’s men had over 65 per cent possession and won the shot count by 21 to five.
Romelu Lukaku has cost a combined £309m in transfers over the years but the Blues fans will say he’s worth every penny as Chelsea go seven games unbeaten.
Arsenal are without a win in six.
What’s next?
Next Saturday there is an epic game at Anfield where Liverpool host Chelsea. The Reds have also won their opening two games, against Norwich City and Burnley and are up with the early leaders in the Premier League table. Tuchel’s side will head north full of confidence while Jurgen Klopp will be working on a plan to stop Lukaku.
It doesn’t get much easier for Arsenal. Having finished outside the European places last season they join the Carabao Cup with the also-rans, and have a difficult trip to the Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies were relegated last season but have started well in the Championship, winning the last three and they are already in the promotion places.
Then Arteta meets his former boss when Arsenal head to the Etihad Stadium to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. After falling to a shock opening day defeat to Spurs, the Sky Blues dismantled Norwich City on Saturday with a 5-0 win as Jack Grealish opened his account for the champions.
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