Fire up the London derby klaxon, it's time for live coverage of Arsenal versus Chelsea from the Emirates Stadium. We’ll have a full house of 60,000 today for one of the most fascinating games of the 2021-22 season so far. Arsenal are still trudging through the post-Wenger years, scratching around for a new identity, while Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel are establishing one at a rate of knots. The European champions arrive at the Emirates today looking for a muscle flex that will establish their credentials as serious title challengers. Can Arsenal throw a spanner in the works here, and kick start their own season after a horror show under the Friday night lights at Brentford? Teams incoming shortly.
Premier League / Matchday 2
Emirates Stadium / 22.08.2021
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 22/08/2021 at 17:22 GMT
31'
You could plant several allotments down Arsneal's left such is the room down there, and James knows it. He hares into space down that channel again, picked out by Mount, but his dangerous low cross into the box dissects both defenders and attackers and flies out the other side of the area.
29'
Lokonga has a dig for Arsenal from 25 yards out, but it's high and wide of goal.
27'
Lukaku gets it into his feet on the edge of the area again. He tries to swivel to his left and shoot, but Mari tracks him all the way and gets the block in. That's good defending, though you sense Mari is in for a testing afternoon here.
23'
Oh my, what an opportunity for Chelsea! They hit Arsenal quickly on the break, and James bombs unopposed into the right of the Arsenal area again. He's got the same square ball on to Lukaku again for a tap-in, but inexplicably opts to cut it back to Mount, whose shot is blocked behind for a corner. I'd imagine James would like that decision back.
21'
From the corner the ball eventually finds James, whose deflected cross is headed harmlessly over by Lukaku from ten yards out. At the other end Saka briefly gets one on one with Azpilicueta on the right of the Chelsea area, but can't get past him.
20'
Lukaku really bullied Mari on that goal, and does so again here as Chelsea win a corner.
17'
That has really punctured the atmosphere at the Emirates. It's a goal Arsenal seem to concede so often; a high line, no pressure on the ball in midfield and one simple pass that opens it all up.
15'
GOAL! Arsenal Chelsea 1 (Lukaku 15)
He's done it! Lukaku gives Chelsea the lead, and it's so easy. He gets the ball into his feet and finds Kovacic, who in turn lofts a lovely pass to James, in acres on the right of the Arsenal area. James drills it across the six yard box where Lukaku arrives for a simple tap in. Chelsea walked that one in.
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Goal
R. Lukaku
Chelsea
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Goals1
On target1
11'
A flash of Pepe's ability here, as he sashays brilliantly through three down the right wing and establishes possession for Arsenal in Chelsea's half. They look well up for this, the home side, and have started brightly.
10'
Saka and Tierney combine well on the left of the Chelsea area, only for the cross of the latter to be cleared by Alonso. Tierney then gets away again down that side, and this time Alonso turns his dangerous low cross behind for a corner.
8'
James gets forward on the right for Chelsea. He sends a bouncing cross into the area, where Havertz connects awkwardly and can only send it back from where it came.
5'
Lukaku gets the ball into his feet on the edge of the Arsenal box. He lays it off to Havertz, whose shot is blocked.
3'
Alonso gets forward down the left, and jags it across to James just outside the Arsenal box. James aims one out to the far corner, which Xhaka gets his head in front of to clear. Xhaka's a bit shaken up, but back on his feet now.
2'
It's a lively start from Arsenal. a long ball forwards finds Saka, who nods it to Smith Rowe on the edge. Smith Rowe drills a low daisy cutter into the arms of Mendy.
1st Half
1'
Peep! We're underway.
16:30
Prior to kick off both sets of players take the knee. Do one racism, you're not welcome here or anywhere.
16:25
We have players milling about in tunnels, so it’s almost time to go. Your referee today is Paul Tierney.
It's absolutely popping at the Emirates, which is lovely to see.
16:15
A lot of eyes will be on Lukaku today, and it's worth a quick reflection on his goalscoring feats so far in his career. At just 28-years-old he's scored 250 career goals at club level and shattered the national scoring record for Belgium; his 24 for Inter Milan last season helped bag the Serie A title for the Nerazzuri. Lukaku is a serious player, and could be transformative for Chelsea.
16:10
16:05
There’s a high percentage chance of a decent game here, because this fixture serves one up on an admirably regular basis. In the last eight matches alone, it’s provided 27 goals; Arsenal currently have the wood over Chelsea, having secured the league double over them last season.
16:00
It’s a happier ship at Chelsea. Of course it is; they’re European champions and have since scooped up the UEFA Super Cup in Belfast. Lukaku is also back at the club, and with 113 Premier League goals already to his name in his career so far looks a safe bet to make his £97.5 million price tag quickly seem irrelevant. Chelsea haven’t had a proper yahoo at the title since they last won it in 2016-17 but look certain to be contenders this season.