Unfruitful 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Chelsea

Unfruitful 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Chelsea

With so much expectation going into the top of the table clash,Arsenal and Chelsea could only settle for a drab 0-0 draw,canceling each other out in their game on Monday.

The temperatures didn't help proceedings at the Emirates Stadium as it rained heavily to affect the game.

If the game was not dour enough in the first half,the goal attempts summed it all. Chelsea who played with a more defensive approach,had the two goal attempts carved out by both sides in the first half.

First was Frank Lampard's effort which ricocheted off the cross,after Eden Hazard played him with a perfect lob.

But his shot bounced off the post and the rebound was cleared out by Arsenal's defence.

Aaron Ramsey lost ball possession and Chelsea in a four against three situation couldn't capitalise to punish Arsenal.

The resulting ball was a tame effort from Willian which was caught by Szczesny.

Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel looked to have been lucky not to have been sent off with his tackle on Mikel Arteta,which could have been a straight red card that was waved aside by the referee.

Any expectation that the Gunners would get more serious in the second half was not quashed,as they upped the tempo.

But Chelsea set their stalls on going for a draw,which they did nicely.
However,Arsenal would curse their luck after Oliver Giroud had a string of chances that went begging.

The French striker was played in a couple of times but failed to utilise them to find the net,as they went in search of goal.

Both managers appeared to have given up on the game,first was the introduction of David Luiz for a striker,Fernando Torres,while Arsene Wenger failed to use any of his subs in the course of the game.

With an eye on the games in this festive period,both teams decided to play it safe,having two more games this week