Arsenal took advantage of a calamitous first half from a lacklustre Chelsea to claim all three points in a big London derby at the Emirates Stadium, running out deserved 3-0 winners.
Chelsea looked to sit back and defend and eventually catch Arsenal on the break in the early stages, but their plan took a turn for the worse when Gary Cahill was caught on the ball by Alexis Sanchez, who ran through and finished to put the Gunners one goal to the good.
Conte’s side were caught out shortly after when Hazard didn’t track back to mark Bellerin, who was allowed by the Belgian to make a run in behind the defence before sliding a ball over to Theo Walcott, who doubled Arsenal’s lead.
As a result, Chelsea had to come out a bit more, and were brutally punished by Arsenal just before the break. Sanchez and Ozil quickly broke before Sanchez fed the ball over to the German. His contact with the shot was far from clean but bounced onto the post and into the back of the net to send Arsenal into the break 3-0 up.
Alexis Sanchez led the line for Arsenal, starting ahead of Lucas Perez and Olivier Giroud. The Chilean put in a terrific performance, and opened the scoring for the Gunners a little over ten minutes in before playing the ball across to Mesut Ozil, who added a third just before half-time.
The forward was extremely effective on the break for the Gunners, creating two chances throughout the game and taking four shots, one of which being the opener.
Sanchez also pressed the ball extremely well throughout the game, forcing the error from Gary Cahill before bursting onto the lose ball to delightfully chip into the back of the net over Courtois. The 27-year-old managed to win 50% of his tackles and made two further interceptions. The goalscorer rarely made a misplaced pass, completing 81% of his attempted passes.
Arsenal fans took to Twitter following the thumping win over Chelsea to heap praise onto the forward and fellow teammates.
People can’t say Ozil and Sanchez aren’t big game players. Today they bossed Chelsea
— Alex Ellis (@alexellis35) 24 September 2016
Reminiscing Sanchez’s brilliant composure… What a great chip against Courtois
— Kevin (@kelvinbesa10) 24 September 2016
Alexis Sanchez has been outstanding upfront ? #ARSCHE
— Mo (@moslick11) 24 September 2016
Sanchez is not a striker, Sanchez is not a striker, Sanchez is not a striker…. Sanchez is really good as a striker.. #wengerknows
— arsénal (@seaneyboy1984) 24 September 2016
Sanchez motm! Great win!!!
— Abu Dzar Ahmadi (@abudzar_ahmadi) 24 September 2016
@Alexis_Sanchez mad baller, great goal and assist #WorldClassPlayer #AFCvCFC #COYG
— Pillah Josemaria (@tivnande) 24 September 2016
Arsenal were way too good. Really great football from them. Ozil, Iwobi and Sanchez were unplayable. Congrats. #EtisalatFootball
— Ivan Dougan (@ivanlotti) 24 September 2016
