MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 04:54:49| >> :120:23582:23582:
[monks data]
Attendance: 60,309
Arsenal logo
Premier League | Gameweek 20
Dec 29, 2019 at 2pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

FT(HT: 1-0)
Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')

In Focus: Mikel Arteta's first home game in charge of Arsenal

The former Gunners midfielder could not prevent them slipping to a 2-1 defeat.

Mikel Arteta took charge of his first home match as Arsenal manager when they hosted Chelsea.

The former Gunners midfielder could not prevent them slipping to a 2-1 defeat.

Here, the PA news agency runs the rule over new man's Emirates dug-out debut.

Team selection

Matteo Guendouzi was recalled
Matteo Guendouzi was recalled (John Walton/PA)

Arteta made two changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Thursday with Calum Chambers, back from suspension, returning to the defence and Matteo Guendouzi recalled. Granit Xhaka was not involved in the 18. Arteta continued to show faith in Mesut Ozil by naming the club's highest paid player in the starting XI.

Programme notes

Mesut Ozil put in an impressive appearance
Mesut Ozil put in an impressive appearance (John Walton/PA)

Arteta singled out Ozil in his first matchday column. "I told the media when I arrived, everybody at the club has a clean slate with me," he wrote. "I can say since the day that I arrived back at London Colney Mesut's attitude and professionalism has been incredible and his performance against Bournemouth was another really big positive from the match."

Reception

The Spaniard slipped out of the tunnel almost unnoticed as he shook hands with opposite number Frank Lampard. There was no fanfare, just down to business. The atmosphere at the Emirates was as lively as you would expect for a London derby, and the crowd had certainly swelled since the last days of Unai Emery's time in charge.

Set-up

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was once again deployed out on the left, with Ozil behind frontman Alexandre Lacazette and Reiss Nelson on the right. The Gunners were organised, energetic and broke with pace. It was Lampard who had to acknowledge he had got it tactically wrong when he hooked Emerson during the first half. However, Arsenal were ultimately undone after Arteta had taken off Ozil in a bid to shore things up.

Overall

Arteta's side take on Manchester United on New Year's Day
Arteta's side take on Manchester United on New Year's Day (John Walton/PA)

Arteta's Arsenal were focused and to a man worked exceptionally hard  – including Ozil. The defence was untroubled in the first half and Arteta punched the air with delight when a slick corner routine was rewarded by Aubameyang's goal. However, the wheels came off when a howler from goalkeeper Bernd Leno gifted Jorginho an equaliser and moments later Tammy Abraham had snatched victory for the Blues, proving there is still a long road ahead for the Gunners.

ID:384409: cacheID:384409:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9175:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!