August 22, 2021 at 1:59 p.m. EDT
thanks and good night
I leave the last word to the man who deserves it, Romelu Lukaku.
When asked to describe his performance today, the Belgian was brief and to the point: “Dominant”.
Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 13:51 EDT
Tuchel has his say
âI had the feeling that in the first half we were lacking in sharpness and were a bit passive. I think we had a long week of training with double sessions and we were a bit on our feet. . We deserved to win but we still have room to improve. “
On Lukaku:
“I’m very happy with how he’s already fitted in, a very smart guy who enjoys being in the squad. He’s a very democratic leader, talks to everyone, friendly and is totally competitive. He gives us something. thing we didn’t have, to protect the balls. You can’t start better than a goal and it has helped a few chances.
âI wasn’t expecting much but wanted to see his adaptability and bonding ability, which is what he did really well and the guys love to play with each other.
âI don’t know if it’s possible to handle Premier League games, at times it was too open. They created overloads on each side and we had to overcome but we were in control defensively. We could create chances. In the Premier League, when you don’t score third or fourth, you can never be sure. “

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 13:22 EDT
Full time: Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2
Chelsea were better in all areas and never looked for the slightest danger. They defended well in the second half but the hosts simply lacked quality. City next door for Mikel Arteta’s side and it won’t be easy.
What a day for Lukaku, a first goal on the second attempt. Chelsea look like they can be a serious force this season.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 13:17 EDT
Arsenal fans heading to the exits
89 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: It was men against boys today really. Arteta makes a desperate figure on the sidelines.
Werner replaces Havertz, the classic German for Tuchel’s German transfer.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 13:11 EDT
Ziyech on the mount
82 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: Another change for visitors and which reminds us of the great difference in quality between these two courses.
A sobering start to the new campaign for Arsenal fans and you must feel that Chelsea have a serious chance of winning this title, such is their strength in depth.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 1:07 p.m. EDT
What a safeguard of Leno!
78 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: Quite exceptional from the Arsenal keeper to prevent Lukaku from scoring again. The Belgian met Mount’s cross but Leno pushed the ball against the bar as you were just waiting to see the net bulge. Breathtaking reflexes of great German.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 1:04 p.m. EDT
Arsenal fail to find their way
75 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: While Arteta’s men have put on a good image of themselves since the break, they never really looked like they were scoring. Mendy has rarely seemed flustered and Tuchel will be delighted with what he sees.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EDT
Here is Kanté
71 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: James’ shot is deflected upwards and that would have fixed the problem.
Kanté for Kovacic, not a man Arsenal players will be delighted to see enter the fray in a game they are chasing.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12.55 p.m. EDT
Aubameyang provides a spark
66 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: Much better from the hosts since the replacement but is it too little, too late?
Tavares for the injured Tierney.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12:49 EDT
Aubameyang arrives
60 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: Aubameyang for Saka and many inside the ground seem baffled by the English man’s withdrawal.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12:48 EDT
Holding my head just wide
59 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: No easy passes for Arsenal as Chelsea press brilliantly.
Holding has a free head six yards away, but he misses it. It really should have been his first Premier League goal for Arsenal.
Better from the hosts.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12:40 EDT
Better Arsenal
51 min – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: Arsenal players are working a little harder and pursuing lost causes and the fans are once again supporting their team.
Saka tries his luck with a thunderous strike from a distance, the ball deflects Alonso and Mendy knocks it over the bar.
A goal for the hosts would be huge now.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12:34 EDT
We go back
47 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: The rain continues to fall and Arsenal are still struggling to regain control of the ball. The local supporters are not happy.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12h18 EDT
Half-time: Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2
Unfortunately for Arteta and the Arsenal fans, that half (save for a brilliant start and end) was pretty much exactly as expected. Arsenal’s two center-backs have been booked and that doesn’t bode well.
Chelsea fully deserve their two-goal lead and the hosts have a mountain to climb in the second half.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12:15 EDT
Arsenal penalty appeal
41 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: We might have had a game here, but the ref and the VAR decide Saka tripped on his own feet rather than being shot down by James.
It’s raining heavily in North London and GCSE English Literature students will recognize a pathetic fallacy when they see it.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12:09 EDT
James doubles the bet!
34 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: The Arsenal players do not approach their men and they are well and truly punished.
Havertz and Alonso combined well on the left, Lukaku let slip before Mount found James on the right of the box. He smashed the ball past Leno for a superb team goal.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12:05 EDT
Husband has booked
33 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1: Even when Chelsea misplaces a pass, they seem to regain possession almost immediately.
Arsenal with a possession spell at the edge of the Chelsea area but it gets nowhere.
Husband booked for a silly tackle on Lukaku.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 12h00 EDT
Lukaku looks sharp
28 min – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1: This goal did kill any momentum for Arsenal.
Lukaku looks sharp and his teammates look to play him when they can. Mari is doing well because the Belgian tries to turn to the edge of the box but the hosts are struggling to clear their lines.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:54 a.m. EDT
Chelsea in charge
20 min – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1: Visitors now watch in full control. Lukaku is heading upwards and the atmosphere may turn toxic if the hosts concede again.
A rare Arsenal break sees Saka showing too much of the ball to Azpilicueta and Chelsea clearing with ease.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:48 am EDT
Lukaku scores!
14 minutes – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1: He barely touched the ball but Lukaku has his first goal for Chelsea! What a start for the great Belgian.
The move started with Lukaku holding the ball and handing it over to Kovacic before he finally found James on the right wing. He played the ball through the goal and it was the easiest finish for the signing star with just his third touch.
Arsenal got off to a good start and their fans were in good spirits but it was a big blow.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:41 am EDT
Lukaku struggles to get involved
10 minutes: The new / old signing hasn’t seen a lot of the ball so far and Arsenal have shown a lot more hunger than on Matchday 1. Guests find a little joy on the left side.
Lokonga looks like a good player and the home fans will be delighted to see him.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:36 EDT
James with a strike
5 minutes: Xhaka blocks well with his head and he appeared to be somewhat dazed, such was the ferocity of James’ shot.
A brief delay before play resumes.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:32 EDT
We are in progress
2 minutes : Applause greets the players taking the knee and the game begins.
Arsenal with the first chance, Smith-Rowe works the keeper but it’s a comfortable save. The hosts started off brilliantly.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:20 am EDT
Not long now
More than ten minutes before departure. Tuchel says Lukaku and Mount bonded well in training, but can they do it when it counts? We will find out soon enough.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:15 am EDT
Arteta facing the cameras
Widely predictable stuff from the Arsenal manager (he is delighted that the fans are back, this should help the players, yada yada yada) but one thing to note is that White has corona where previously the line was simply that he was ill.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 11:05 am EDT
Can Chelsea win the championship this season?
Tuchel’s side were brilliant in the Champions League final against Manchester City and came out triumphant, but will they be able to defeat Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League title battle?
It won’t be easy, but Chelsea players will surely feel that the title is the top priority this season.

Darren Richman

GO FURTHER
Why Chelsea should believe they can ‘stalk’ Manchester City
August 22, 2021 at 10:35 am EDT
Team news has fallen and Lukaku begins
Here are the teams:
Arsenal: Leno, Tierney, Mari, Holding, Soares, Sambi Lokanga, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Saka, Pepe, Martinelli. Subtitles: Ramsdale, Aubameyang, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Chambers, Nelson, Elneny, Balogun, Kolasinac.
Chelsea: Mendy, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, James, Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku. Subtitles: Kepa, Silva, Kante, Werner, Chalobah, Zouma, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Ziyech.

Darren Richman
August 22, 2021 at 9:49 am EDT
Ben White ruled out for Arsenal
Hello and welcome wherever you are.
The bad news for Arsenal fans, and lately there doesn’t seem to be any other, is that Ben White is not doing well and therefore not available for selection.
This is another headache for Mikel Arteta and he would gladly do without.
Read all about it here.

Darren Richman
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