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Chelsea vs Arsenal: 5 Talking Points as Blues reduced to 10 men

Chelsea Arsenal highlights David Luiz red card
Chelsea's David Luiz was sent off late in the game against Arsenal

Chelsea and Arsenal played out a 0-0 draw in their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a tense encounter that eventually finished with just 21 men on the pitch. David Luiz was sent off with five minutes to go after a reckless challenge on Sead Kolasinac but the Gunners simply did not have enough time to make the man-advantage count.

Both sides had their chances and Arsenal even had a goal ruled out for offside. Here are the major talking points from the game.


1) Arsenal dominate Chelsea in the first half

Chelsea v Arsenal - Premier League
Arsene Wenger got his tactics spot on in the first half

Without Alexis Sanchez in the starting lineup and Mesut Ozil not named in the matchday squad altogether, Arsene Wenger named a very mobile attacking lineup that would do its job off the ball too. Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck started just behind Alexandre Lacazette and their dropping deep gave the Gunners passing options in midfield.

In doing so, the visitors were able to get in behind N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas on a regular basis. It forced Chelsea to drop back and play on the counter-attack as Arsenal's back-line pushed up field and played a high line.

Unlike previous Arsenal performances, the players made themselves available for a pass and Arsenal's quick one-touch-passing of old was on display.

The result? Welbeck had a header go wide, Lacazette saw his effort on goal blocked while Ramsey danced through the entire defence only to see his shot hit the post. The signs looked promising.

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