Resolute Chelsea keep Arsenal at bay

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

Frank Lampard came closest to breaking the deadlock at a rain-swept Emirates Stadium, where a victory would have put Chelsea level on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool.

The Blues midfielder volleyed against the underside of the bar after being found by Eden Hazard’s ball into the box just after the half-hour mark.

Lampard earlier miscued when Cesar Azpilicueta pulled the ball back from the left after linking up with Hazard.

Jose Mourinho has made it clear that his attacking players must improve the defensive side of their game when the team do not have possession if Chelsea are to sustain a title challenge.

And with Fernando Torres and Willian constantly looking to stop Arsenal building from the back, and with Ramires dropping deep to join midfielders Lampard and John Mikel Obi when needed, they were solid and resolute.

Arsenal finished the first half strongly, though, and wanted a penalty when Theo Walcott went down after Willian stepped on his feet, but referee Mike Dean was having none of it.

Dean also gave Mikel the benefit of the doubt following a crude second-half challenge on Mikel Arteta.

Olivier Giroud missed a great chance for the Gunners, firing into the side netting after being found by Aaron Ramsey with 12 minutes remaining.

Giroud was then thwarted by keeper Petr Cech after being teed up by Kieran Gibbs.

Clearly happy with a hard-earned point, Mourinho – still unbeaten as Blues boss against Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger – sent David Luiz on in place of Torres for the final three minutes.

But there was still work to do and Azpiliciueta cleared Bacaray Sagna’s header off the line to deny Arsenal an injury-time winner.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Lampard; Willian (Oscar 77), Ramiries, Hazard (Schurrle 74); Torres (Luiz 87).
Subs not used: Schwarzer, Cole, Mata, Eto’o.

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