Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal - Jorginho HOWLER allows Emile Smith Rowe to steal vital win for Gunners who in doing the double over the Blues keep their European hopes alive
- Emile Smith Rowe opened scoring after a horrific backpass from Jorginho
- Blues midfielder played ball towards own goal with Kepa scrambling off the line
- But Arsenal pounced with Smith Rowe tucking home a cutback to score winner
- Christian Pulisic saw a headed equaliser ruled out for Chelsea in the second half
- Kurt Zouma and Olivier Giroud also hit the crossbar in stoppage time
- Latest Premier League news, including fixtures and results
- Premier League table - as it stands
Three days before Wembley and a timely lesson for Chelsea on the subject of complacency from the same team that outwitted them in last season's FA Cup final.
They have been mightily impressive under Thomas Tuchel. Focused, resilient and organised against formidable opposition, with enough creativity up front as they cut stylishly into two cup finals.
Nothing yet is won, however, and, at this elite level, the quality does not have to slide far before games sway in the balance. It happened at Wembley at the end of last season when they came unstuck against Arsenal.
Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe celebrates scoring the only goal of the game in the win at Chelsea
Smith Rowe scored from a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (not pictured) cutback in the first half
Thomas Tuchel shows his frustration from the Chelsea bench during a poor Blues showing
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It happened again here in a game which, understandably, appeared to mean more to the visitors.
For all their failings under Mikel Arteta this season, Arsenal have now won three Premier League in a row and cling to the hope of European qualification with two games remaining.
Finish with a five-win flourish and they might have a chance, although perhaps in the newly-conceived third-tier competition, the Europa Conference League. They will also enhance the Arsenal enigma. Just when you write them off as a lost cause, they offer a little sparkle of promise.
On this occasion, spirit and character.
Emile Smith Rowe scored the only goal here, punishing a mistake by Jorginho in the 16th minute, and they produced a solid defensive display to complete their first win at Stamford Bridge for nearly a decade.
Arsenal's 1-0 Premier League win at Stamford Bridge has put them well in the hunt for Europe
Kepa Arrizabalaga consoles Jorginho after his awful backpass led to Arsenal's winning goal
Chelsea enjoyed plenty of the ball but with little urgency. Not until the closing minutes when Bernd Leno tipped an effort by Kurt Zouma against the bar and Olivier Giroud struck the woodwork again, only seconds later, in the ensuing scramble.
Defeat means Tuchel's team have work to do in their remaining league fixtures - against Leicester and Aston Villa - if they are to secure a top-four finish.
Before then, Leicester at Wembley, with the momentum lost but a few players fresher, including N'Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner, who all sat this one out. We will find out on Saturday if it was worth it.
Kai Havertz led the line and should have opened the scoring when he pounced on a poor pass from Gabriel, won the ball from Pablo Mari and burst through on the Arsenal goal.
With time to think about his finish, he tried to clip a shot over 'keeper Leno but lifted it too high and saw it drift comfortably over.
Aubabmeyang though endured an otherwise frustrating night as he is attended to for a cut lip
Christian Pulisic saw an equaliser ruled out in the second half for offside as the Blues toiled
It was a costly miss because, moments later, carelessness at the other end of the pitch gifted Arsenal the lead. Jorginho was the culprit, turning a pass towards his own goal without realising Kepa Arrizabalaga had shuffled to his left, away from his posts.
The Chelsea 'keeper reacted quickly, scrambled across his goalmouth and dived full length to scoop the ball clear. He made it, just in time but Pierre Emerick Aubameyang retrieved the loose ball and cut it square to give Smith Rowe the simple task of finishing into an open goal.
It was the first goal conceded by Arrizabalaga under Tuchel – in his sixth appearance - and gave Arsenal something to dig in and protect with Leno and Rob Holding rising to the challenge.
When they beat Chelsea in last season's FA Cup final, few could have predicted these two London clubs would meet nine months later in such conflicting circumstances.
The Blues have soared since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard while Arsenal's hopes of another trophy have fizzled out with defeat in the Europa League semi-finals and there is still no guarantee of improving on last season's eight-place finish in the Premier League, a 25-year low, even after this victory.
Arteta matched up against Tuchel's back three at the Bridge. They sat deep in numbers, happy to concede possession. Chelsea passed and probed although with little threat.
Aubameyang was eventually replaced late on by manager Mikel Arteta late in the game
Pulisic saw a half chance pass as his low shot lacked power to trouble the goalkeeper
Their brightest moments in the first half revolved around Mason Mount, who was denied twice by Leno, in the first half hour. Mohamed Elneny closed down another opportunity, just before the interval, as Mount tried to pounce after a positive run by Ben Chilwell.
Tuchel sent on Callum Hudson-Odoi and Giroud but Chelsea regressed and looked even less likely to find an equaliser for most of the second half, with Mount moving to a deeper role, alongside Jorginho.
Referee Andre Marriner was not fooled by Havertz, tumbling over and claiming a penalty, and VAR Kevin Friend correctly ruled out a goal by Christian Pulisic.
Mount's corner was well won in the air by Havertz, who climbed high in the crowd, and it was turned over the line by Pulisic at the back post. Chelsea celebrated, unaware, but the American striker was clearly offside when the replays were scrutinised.
Only as the clock ticked into stoppage time did they create any real pressure. Giroud and Zouma went close but Arsenal, who lost Hector Bellerin to injury in the closing minutes, defended superbly.
Hector Bellein came on as a sub for Arsenal but was soon forced to depart following injury
Kurt Zouma (left) hit the crossbar for Chelsea with a looping header in the final minute
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED...
90+4min: As Chelsea throw everyone forward, Arsenal counter but as Thomas Parety goes into the box he goes down far too easily and is booked for diving.
90+1min: There will be six minutes added on at Stamford Bridge. You just sense this is Arsenal's night though the way it has played out.
90min: Off the bar twice! First Kurt Zouma heads against the bar after a cross, but on the follow up, Girould can only find the woodwork.
88min: Bellein cannot continue despite his attempts to shake off that knock and the sub makes way cor Calum Chambers.
86min: Half-chance for Chelsea on the counter attack, but a cross into the box is just too far ahead of Pulisic who on the slide can only divert the ball into Bernd Leno for a comfortable catch.
85min: Arsenal had to defend a corner with 10 men, but the ball failed to clear the first man, and the recycled cross was floated hopelessly out for a goal kick. Bellerin is back on and the 'danger' passes again.
82min: Big eight minutes or so coming up for Chelsea. But first a problem for Arsenal, with Hector Bellerin the latest to need treatment having picked up a knock while poking a cross out of play at full stretch.
79min: And on comes Lacazette, replacing Aubameyand who slowly trudges off the field.
78min: Final change for the labouring Chelsea as Hakim Ziyech replaces Cesar Azpilicueta. Alexandre Lacazette is preparing to come on for Arsenal.
74min: The one man I feel sorry for is Tammy Abraham. Having seen Havertz fluff a one-on-one attempt pathetically, he's now had to watch Olivier Giroud just about air swipe the ball well out of play with a first time attempt from the edge of the box. Why can't he get a kick?
Even Timo Werner, who has missed a few sitters this season, throws his head back disbelief that Giroud's latest effort.
71min: The more I watch this game, the more I'm convinced we could play this game for the rest of the night and we wouldn't see a Chelsea goal. They are looking so, so ordinary in attack.
68min: Wait, what's this? It's the lesser spotted Arsenal shot on goal. Bellerin cuts the ball back for Martin Odegaard on the edge of the box but his low drive is straight at Kepa.
65min: With Arsenal so defensive it's no surprise to see Bukayo Saka depart in one of his quieter games as he is replaced by Bellerin. Chelsea meanwhile send on former striker Olivier Giroud for Havertz.
63min: Changes are on the way - not for Chelsea though but for Arsenal who are preparing to send on Hector Bellerin.
60min: It needs a VAR check, goodness knows why because it was fairly obvious, but Christian Pulisic nods in a Havertz flick on from a corner before being flagged a good yard or two offside.
57min: An unofficial time out as Kieran Tierney receives treatment for a knock. Both managers are talking to their players. "Get on with it" must be the basis of Tuchel's words. "As you were" from Arteta to his Gunners stars.
54min: If you want to know just how deep and compact Arsenal are in defence when Chelsea are attacking, at times Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the furthest man forward 35 yards in front of his goal...
Christian Pulisic of Chelsea runs to keep the ball in play under pressure from Thomas Partey
51min: I've not seen much change from the first half to be honest. It's still all Chelsea but they are up against a red wall that are defending in a very organised fashion and don't look phased at all.
48min: Decent start to the half for Chelsea, who go on the attack. There are appeals for a penalty after Kai Havertz is brought down by Gabriel but the the forward looked to be going down rather too easily having lost control of the ball.
Billy Gilmour has made way for the Blues and on in his place is Callum Hudson-Odoi.
A half of two defensive howlers really. One that Chelsea could not punish Arsenal for making and one the Gunners were only too happy not to let their west London rivals get away with.
The Gunners haven't shown any interest in the Chelsea goal since...
45+1min: We are into one added minute at Stamford Bridge
43min: This is a very early 90s Arsenal performance. You know 1-0 to the Arsenal and all that. They have their goal and are not interested another. Backs to the wall and Chelsea don't have a way through.
37min: Not much change in the play here. Arsenal have defended very well since Mari's awful error. Chelsea unable to create much desite their overall domination.
34min: Chelsea have looked very ordinary in front of goal this evening even if they have largely dominated the play. Tammy Abraham didn't even make the squad tonight - I bet he would have buried that Havertz sitter. Then again I would have fancied dispatching that too.
28min: Another half-chance for Mount, but he is unable to generate enough power in his shot across goal after collecting a Havertz pass, with Leno making a smart stop.
25min: Arsenal down to 10 men... for just a minute or two. Aubameyang has taken a wack from somewhere as he has a cut lip that needs to be addressed.
22min: We haven't seen too much from Chelsea since, but Mason Mount has just gone close with his volley well blocked from close range by Rob Holding with the ball likely destined for the net. There are shades of a handball appeal there but that would have been incredibly harsh.
19min: I still can't believe that mad five minutes. Chelsea should be leading 1-0 up after a dreadful mistake instead they are a goal down from making one of their own. It's like when paralell universes collide.
16min: And that's even worse! Jorginho under pressure doesn't look where his goakeeper and plays a horrific back pass towards his own goal. Kepa races back to claw the ball off the line but it's not enough to prevent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from cutting the back for Emile Smith Rowe to sweep home.
Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe scores their first goal after pouncing on an error
Smith Rowe celebrates scoring their first goal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
11min: That is dreadful - from both teams! Pablo Mari is caught in possession on the halfway line, after receiving a pass, by Kai Havertz who then breaks clear on goal.
He just has Leno to beat but from the edge of the box he pathetically scoops the ball over the crossbar. Awful, awful effort when he should be putting the Blues ahead.
9min: Little bit better from Arsenal in the last few minutes as they build inside the Blues half. No chances for the Gunners yet thought.
6min: The play is still inside the Arsenal half, but now it's Chelsea on the ball and they create a half-chance. From the byline, Christian Pulisic cuts the ball back for Mason Mount, who from a slight angle fires a low shot straight at Bernd Leno.
Chelsea's Mason Mount (left) and Arsenal's Thomas Partey battle for the ball
3min: Arsenal seeing plenty of the ball, albeit most of it inside their own half as Chelsea press them high up early on.
Here is a reminder of the team news from Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Zouma, James, Gilmour, Jorginho, Chilwell, Mount, Pulisic, Havertz.
Subs: Alonso, Werner, Mendy, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Emerson Palmieri, Anjorin, Livramento.
Arsenal: Leno, Holding, Gabriel, Pablo Mari, Tierney, Thomas, Elneny, Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Aubameyang.
Subs: Bellerin, Ceballos, Lacazette, Willian, Cedric, Pepe, Chambers, Ryan, Martinelli.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
Chelsea could open up a nine-point gap over West Ham with just nine points to play for with a win this evening, but Liverpool of course could still close within seven points in that case given their game in hand.
Arsenal need to finish seventh to reach at least the Europa Conference League, and in doing so could still leapfrog Spurs - who look a total mess right now. It really is all to play for there.
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comes back into the team for the London derby
Kai Havertz (left), Christian Pulisic (centre) and Reece James of Chelsea warm up
Arsenal players warm up prior to the start of the Premier League match
Chelsea stars will be hoping to boost their chances of securing a top four place this evening
Rare start for Kepa and it comes off the back of a study conducted by bettingodds.com which shows the world's most expensive goalkeeper at £72.6m has been the most expenseive unused sub this season.
Based on weekly wages muliplied by games as an unused sub, the Chelsea keeper has cost the Blues around £4.2million from 27 matches and wages of £150,000.
Olivier Giroud may be on the bench but he will be keen to get some minutes ahead of Euro 2020 for France, could he pop up with a goal against his former side?
Olivier Giroud arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal
Reece James retains his place in the Chelsea starting XI ahead of the clash with Arsenal
Edouard Mendy of Chelsea is given a rest between the sticks
Mason Mount's kit is seen on display ahead of the London derby
Thomas Tuchel makes sevenfor his side including a start for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who comes into the side along with Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Jorginho, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount as Edouard Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, N'Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner drop out the team that secured a 2-1 last minute win at Manchester City last weekend.
Arsenal meanwhile make five alterations to the team that relegated West Brom with a 3-1 as Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replace Calum Chambers, Dani Ceballos, Nicolas Pepe, Willian and Gabriel Martinelli.
Leno, Mari, Holding, Gabriel, Saka, Elneny, Partey, Tierney, Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Aubameyang.
Usually there is little to choose between these teams but with Chelsea in a Champions League final and Arsenal struggling to even reach Europe's third tier competition, the gap has never been so big.
Still, with the Blues facing an FA Cup final this weekend as well, maybe, just maybe, their team selection will indicate they have taken their eye off the ball. It's on the way next...
Whether it is Champions League, the Europa League or even the new Europa Conference League (oh yes, folks - that's on the way next season) it's all part of the plot in this London derby as I welcome you to our live coverage of Chelsea vs Arsenal.
Chelsea and Arsenal face off in a London derby, with both sides having ambitions concerning European football next term ahead of the Premier League clash.
While Chelsea can secure a place in the Champions League next term by winning the competition at the end of the month, Thomas Tuchel's side will be keen to gain a safety net of a top four place which they hold by six points over West Ham.
Arsenal meanwhile are in danger of going a season without European football for the first time since 1995-96 and need three points to keep up their push for continental action next term.
Follow Sportsmail's DAN RIPLEY for live EPL coverage of Chelsea vs Arsenal, including scoreline, lineups and build-up for the 8.15pm BST clash
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