Chelsea won most of their crucial skirmishes on the pitch en route to a 2-0 victory against their London rivals Arsenal. In a second Premier League game, goals from Romelu Lukaku and Reece James early in the first half were enough to secure all three points for the visitors.
With Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Tuchel began working with his record-breaking signing at the Emirates. The Belgian striker was outstanding on the night, not only in attacking Bernd Leno’s goal but also in involving his teammates by using his customary hold-up play to buy time.
But right wing-back Reece James, who assisted Lukaku’s opening goal and then scored Chelsea’s second twenty minutes later as he stalked Kieran Tierney on the right-wing all night, was undoubtedly the Man of the Match.
Despite an inspired performance by Arsenal at the start of the second half, Chelsea was wise enough to shut the game down after gaining a two-goal lead in the London Derby. Arsenal’s substitutes were unable to make an impact, and Mikel Arteta’s side finished second on the night.
Romelu Lukaku praised former Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte when questioned about his great goal-scoring form.
Conte had previously attempted to recruit the Belgian but had to settle for Alvaro Morata. Conte knew he had to take advantage of Lukaku’s hold-up play now that his request had been granted at Inter.
On Sunday night, this was clear. With his ability to keep the ball with his back to the goal while his colleagues covered the ground in more comprehensive positions, the new Chelsea forward terrorized the Arsenal defence. Because of this quality, he scored his first goal only 15 minutes after returning to England.
During this time, the biggest mistake Arsenal defenders made was giving Lukaku a chance with the ball, which cost the Gunners at least one goal.
The lack of new signings Ben White also ensured that London’s red half was without their strongest back-four. But, with Lukaku in such good form, it’s hard to believe anything else could have happened.
