If the title race has been devoid of suspense for a long time in the Premier League (Liverpool has decided to ridicule competition this season), that for European places still offers us its share of uncertainties 9 days from the end. This Sunday, the shock between Arsenal, more capable of winning in the championship for a month, and Chelsea, reboosté after 4 successes of row shared between the national and continental scene, was not obvious to prevail either. He finally turned to the advantage of the Gunners (1-0), more effective, and more running than their opponents.
Even deprived of Saka, Havertz and Jesus, still injured, the men of Arteta were able to maneuver as they please disarken blues, overwhelmed by the rhythm imposed by the Gunners at the start of the game. After several moments of heat on the goal of Robert Sanchez, it was Merino who logically opened the scoring of the head … and as often on a corner (20th, 1-0). Trossard was constantly missing in the last gesture, when Martinelli gave headache to Cucurella and Badiashile, without being rewarded. And even if the blues won the territorial battle at the end of the first period, it would be an exaggeration to affirm that they dominated their subject. Their biggest situation came from an opposing error, with this hand without incidence of Raya on a recovery of Cucurella (37th).
Arsenal gently ensures its 2nd place, Chelsea will have to fight for the C1
On the return from the locker room, the two teams shone more by their knee shots than by their genius. Neto, Gabriel, Party, Fofana and Odegaard were successively warned by the inflexible Chris Kavanagh, and the atmosphere became electric. To return to football, the biggest opportunities were to be put to the assets of the Gunners. Robert Sanchez was fortunately more inspired with his hands than his feet, and the Spaniard worked perfectly on a volley from Merino (61st), then on an attempted Odegaard (64th). In a disjointed end of the match, marked by clumsiness, Arsenal was satisfied with the result and won.
Thanks to this precious success, the London club sets up a new stone in its conquest of 2nd place. The Gunners put Nottingham Forest to 4 points, and Chelsea at 9. The Blues, 4th, will have to fight to the end to secure a place in C1 next season (5th place will be qualifying). In the other afternoon meeting, necessarily passed in the background, Fulham carried out a superb operation by beating Tottenham thanks to Rodrigo Muniz and Sessegnon (2-0). Cottages, 8th, can still fantasize a European design. The same cannot be said of Spurs, which would already be well inspired to finish in the Top 16 …
