Chelsea FC have won the London Derby final of the Europa League 4-1 (0-0) against Arsenal FC and secured the second most important title in European club football for the second time since 2013. The man of the game was Eden Hazard, who once again showed his whole world class in his probably last game for the Blues.
Arsenal came into the game better, had a 3-5-2 advantage in midfield and had a first half-chance through Aubameyang after Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa’s faulty fist defence (9th).
While Chelsea had no chance at all in the 4-3-3 offensive (no ball action in the opponent’s sixteenth after 25 minutes) and in the defensive had problems with their own basic order against the two high Gunners (Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles), Arsenal shook off more and more of the initial vervosity.
In the 18th minute, the Blues should not have complained to Lacazette about a penalty kick from Kepa after Tackling, but referee Rocchi could not have been blamed for not giving the penalty kick. The Gunners set the tone, had a good aggressiveness and stability in the centre with Torreira and Xhaka and quickly conquered the balls again and again.
A long-range shot from Xhaka kissed the crossbar (28th) before Chelsea woke up slowly but surely. The backs Emerson and Azpilicueta set the first offensive scent marks.
The level of the game increased, but Arsenal could no longer get the grip in the centre and so goalkeeper Cech had to clarify with a world-class reflex against Giroud in his last professional game shortly before the break (40th). He made it even better only shortly after the restart and put an Emerson flank into the net with a dreamlike flying header (49th).
Arsenal seemed knocked on and Chelsea pushed the decision: After Maitland-Niles lost the ball, it was lightning fast over Kovacic and Hazard to Pedro at the penalty spot, who marked the 2-0. Only five minutes later, Maitland-Niles Giroud got the ball rolling and Hazard scored 3:0 (65th) from the point.
The disappointing Gunners were only briefly flamed with a spark of hope when the substitute Iwobi scored worth seeing to 1:3. A strong combination of Giroud and Hazard, however, ended all Arsenal dreams of a fairytale comeback.
Goals: 1:0 Giroud (49.), 2:0 Pedro (60.), 3:0 Hazard (FE, 65.), 3:1 Pedro (69.), 4:1 Hazard (72.)
In his probably last game for Chelsea, he had some farewell gifts up his sleeve: scored two goals himself and prepared Pedro’s 2-0 lead. As soon as Arsenal gave him room, he played out his whole world class and dynamic. Staged numerous great attacks in addition to his goal participations. He put Giroud in the limelight twice, but he gave free in front of Cech. Leading most of the duels on the blues side. Also very strong: Olivier Giroud.
After 45 minutes had the fewest ball actions of all 22 starting eleven players. He didn’t cause any danger on the offensive and was responsible for the 1:4 with an unnecessary loss of the ball. Furthermore, he didn’t win a single duel. Also weak: Mesut Özil.
Arsenal denied a penalty after almost 20 minutes when Lacazette passed Kepa in the Chelsea sixteen, who touched his foot slightly. A contact that Lacazette gratefully accepted and easily fell to the ground. Difficult for Rocchi to decide, but justifiable for not pointing to the point. Had Sokratis (Arsenal) and Emerson (Chelsea) been able to show yellow after their fouls, they left it at exhortations. He ran a lot in general, but was right in his penalty decision for Chelsea in the second run.
