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Alonso's late goal gave Chelsea a 3-2 win over Arsenal in a frantic encounter in
Maurizio Sarri's first competitive game at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso swept home from close range after being found by sub Eden Hazard, meaning
Unai Emery's Arsenal have lost two from two this season.
There were four goals in a dramatic first half. Pedro (9) and Alvaro Morata (20)
capitalised on woeful Arsenal defending to put Chelsea 2-0 up, as both
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed sitters for the visitors
after each goal.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Kepa (5), Azpilicueta (5), Rudiger (4), Luiz (4),
Alonso (7), Kante (6), Jorginho (8), Willian (6), Barkley (7), Pedro (6), Morata
(7)
Subs: Kovacic (6), Hazard (7), Giroud (6)
Arsenal: Cech (7), Bellerin (3), Sokratis (4), Mustafi (4),
Monreal (5), Xhaka (3), Guendouzi (5), Mkhitaryan (6), Ozil (4), Iwobi (6),
Aubameyang (6)
Subs: Torreira (6), Ramsey (6), Lacazette (5)
Man of the match: Jorginho
But Arsenal found themselves level at the break through Mkhitaryan's 20-yard
effort (37) and Iwobi's close-range finish (41), with both sides visibly
neglecting their defensive duties.
Arsenal crumbled again late on to allow Chelsea the winner, continuing the
Blues' 100 per cent start in the Premier League under Sarri.
Chelsea initially had the run of Arsenal and were ahead through Pedro as Hector
Bellerin was caught high up the pitch, allowing Alonso acres to square for his
Spanish compatriot in even more space. He duly swept past former Blues
goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Aubameyang was head-in-hands just after, blazing over from eight yards from
Bellerin's centre, and it was 2-0 just 55 seconds later after Morata was left
one-on-one with Shkodran Mustafi from Cesar Azpilicueta's simple ball from deep.
Morata wrestled Mustafi away, before sliding past Cech as Arsenal fans got a
case of déjà vu at Stamford Bridge, where they now haven't won in eight.
Mkhitaryan blazed over at the other end in a similar position to Aubameyang, but
the Armenian made up for it with a fierce drive from the edge of the box,
despite Kepa Arrizabalaga getting a touch.
Arsenal levelled through Iwobi's slammed finish from 10 yards, picked out by
Mkhitaryan after Chelsea gave him the freedom of west London, and Emery's side
would have gone into half-time ahead if the Nigerian hadn't blazed over from
near the penalty spot in space again.
Space was handed out in abundance again after the break; Kepa was down low to
save from Aaron Ramsey's effort, while N'Golo Kante headed just over at the
other end, but Chelsea got their winner with nine minutes remaining.
Sub Hazard danced past Alexandre Lacazette with ease on the left, before finding
Alonso eight yards out to sweep through Cech's legs.
It would have been worse for Arsenal had Cech not kept out Hazard and former
Gunners striker Olivier Giroud twice late on, but it ended 3-2 on an evening
which showed neither defence in good light.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won six of their last seven home league games against Arsenal, the
exception being a 0-0 draw last season.
Arsenal scored two goals against Chelsea, as many as on their previous six
Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge.
Unai Emery is the first Arsenal manager to lose his first two games in charge
since Steve Burtenshaw, who lost his first three in charge as caretaker in
March/April 1986.
Chelsea winger Pedro has scored in consecutive Premier League games for the
first time since February 2017.
What's next
Arsenal now face West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday, while Chelsea go to
Newcastle on Super Sunday at 4pm, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Kepa, Azpilicueta (c), Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho,
Kante, Barkley (Kovacic 60), Pedro, Willian (Hazard 61), Morata (Giroud 75)
Subs Not Used Caballero, Zappacosta, Christensen, Moses
Booked
Goals Pedro 9, Morata 20, Alonso 81
Arsenal Cech (c), Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Guendouzi,
Xhaka (Torreira 46), Ozil (Ramsey 68), Mikhitaryan, Iwobi (Lacazette 76),
Aubameyang
Subs Not Used Leno, Lichsteiner, Elneny, Welbeck
Booked Xhaka, Mustafi
Goals Mkhitaryan, Iwobi
Attendance 40,491
Referee Martin Atkinson