Arsenal and Chelsea played out an at times entertaining but ultimately fruitless 0-0 draw at the Emirates.
SEE MORE:
Arsenal transfer news
Chelsea transfer gossip
Video: Penalty for Chelsea? Arsenal’s David Ospina lucky not to receive red card for Oscar assault
The result was likely fair with Chelsea completely solid defensively and preventing any Arsenal breach.
The stalemate puts Chelsea one step closer to the title and they need just two wins in their last 5 games.
It’s not at all bad for Arsenal either, who continue their unbeaten run but still Arsene Wenger cannot get their first win over a Mourinho managed side.
Arsenal certainly started the brightest with a number of exciting bursts forward but Chelsea arguably should have had a penalty early on to give them the opportunity to go 1-0 up.
Oscar beat the Arsenal offside trap before chipping the ball over the onrushing David Ospina who completely flattened the Brazilian whilst Hector Bellerin headed the goal bound shot out for a corner.
There were angry cries from the terraces when ex-Gunner Cesc Fabregas was booked for diving by referee Michael Oliver, the Spaniard seemingly trying to cheat his former club.
The Gunners could have had a penalty themselves, however, with Gary Cahill appearing to handle inside his own area just after the half hour mark, though he was inches from the ball when it was struck and it would have been near impossible for him to avoid contact.
The first half was a back and forth affair with Arsenal holding the lion’s share of possession and fashioning the most chances but never really getting that clear cut opportunity.
Chelsea looked threatening on the break and Ramires forced a good save from David Ospina late on in the first half but it was a relatively tame effort from the outside of his right boot when he could have struck it with his left.
The second half was far tighter with Chelsea looking a more normal shape thanks to the substitution of Drogba for Oscar, who it was said could be concussed after the Ospina collision.
Mourinho’s boys seemed more content to sit back and allow Arsenal on to them with the confidence they could repel any attack.
Per Mertesacker was the unlikely recipient of a loose ball in the box when Courtois failed to punch effectively but his effort went well wide.
Santi Cazorla, too, should have done better when he picked up the ball on the edge of the area but his left footed shot went horribly askew and was closer to the corner flag than Courtois’ goal.
Chelsea had a handful of tame efforts themselves but Ospina was always equal to them, and the Blues didn’t seem particularly interested in committing to any attack.
Try as Arsenal might, putting caution to the wind with the substitutions of Welbeck and Walcott, they couldn’t break up the fearsome Blues back line.
The Gunners had a brilliant opportunity late on with Monreal cutting in from the by-line but it was behind Ozil at the near post and Danny Welbeck couldn’t adjust his feet in time.
It was the last decent chance with the match finishing 0-0.
COMMENTS