Good evening everyone, Welcome to Scorum’s Big Match Live. We are back again with another exciting EPL match. This time, we come up with the mouth-watering clash between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates stadium. Arsenal who is currently 6 points behind the fourth-place Chelsa, will come up with a quest to keep their hope alive for their domestic route to next season’s Champions League. Chelsea has the great chance to kick-out Arsenal from the top 4 race.

The full match preview of this match can be found on my yesterday’s post here.

Thank you, everyone, for joining us, feel free to share your thoughts about this match in the comment section. Don't forget to participate in Predict and Win contest before start of the match and also don’t forget to claim the Risk-free bet on BetScorum. Make sure you follow all the rules explained here and place your 5SCR bet on this match. S Also remember, just like last week, we are rewarding 2 SCR each to the 5 most active audience. If no one makes the correct prediction of this match, then all 5 will get 4 SCR each.

Today, @talesfrmthecrypt, @idunique, @jon.bonomo will help me to host my first LIVE BLOG

Pre-Match Analysis

The early title-winning hope has now turned into a battle for Champions League spot for both teams. With Manchester United currently leading over Brighton by 2-0, the pressure now mounts on both Arsenal and Chelsea. At the moment, both sides aren’t playing their best. Arsenal has been playing poor since Emery decided to exclude Ozil from the squad. Chelsea will be a little relief and more confident side after their hard earn victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

My Prediction: Arsenal 1- Chelsea 1

With the feel-good factor following their last big London derby win having all but evaporated, this could be a defining game in Arsenal’s season. Emery is still struggling to undo the imbalance created with by the previous regime and the likes of Ozil seem to have been deemed surplus to requirement. Injuries at the back haven’t helped but in all honesty, I can’t remember a game in recent history where Arsenal’s 3 CBs have looked comfortable regardless of who’s played. Hazard will be the main threat for them today but if they can keep him at arms length then they have a good chance against a team that didn’t enjoy their last trip to a North London side.

My Prediction: Arsenal 2- Chelsea 1

With six points differentiating both teams, Arsenal sees this as an opportunity to slice it down to three. With that, Unai will be hopeful of Champion League qualification next season. However, Sarri wouldn't wanna risk dragging fourth place when he can topple Tottenham to make their position on the table a bit more convincing. The former Napoli boss knows that his nonnegotiable assignment is taking the blues to Europe and there is no gambling with that.

My Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

This is a case of both teams underperforming recently, making this a great time for each of them to meet one another. Arsenal must get something out of this match as they are slowly slipping down the table. With the Man United victory earlier today, Arsenal are sitting 6th place at kickoff. Chelsea’s situation is far less dire but not great. The Blues have recently watched points slip away from them against Southampton and Leicester and have only narrowly squeaked by with narrow goal leads against lesser opponents. Chelsea needs to make a statement here or risk dropping out of top 4. I think these side will cancel each other out.

My Prediction: Arsenal 2- 2 Chelsea

Team Line-Ups

As expected, No change in Chelsea's starting XI. Sarri has again given the number 9 role to Eden Hazard at the front. With Willian, David Luiz, and Alonso in the squad, Arsenal will surely gonna get some trouble in the set pieces.

2 changes in Arsenal line-up after their last week's defeat against West Ham. With Ramsey and Torreira at midfield, we can expect Aubameyang and Lacazette to get more passes inside the box. Arsenal fans will be happy after seeing Mesut Ozil in the bench.

Hurry Up Just be one of the first 10 people to write 'Free Bet' in the comments section and you will qualify for a free 5 SCR bet on the result of this game.

Updates

13'
Arsenal 1 - Chelsea 0
Arsenal draws the first Blood here, Lacazette scored from a very tight angle to break the deadlock. The continuous pressure leads the well-deserved first goal for Arsenal.

38'
Arsenal2- Chelsea 0
Arsenal doubles the leads with Koscielny's goal. Sokratis cross on rebound perfectly finds the unmarked Koscielny inside Chelsea's box, Koscielny missed the ball with his head but luckily scored with his shoulder.
Arsenal's 5 out of 10 shots are on target and Chelsea is yet to keep their shot on target.

45'

First Half Score: Arsenal 2 - Chelsea 0
Chelsea denied by the post to score their first goal just before the first half. Willian's perfect cross finds Marcus Alonso inside the box, his header finds the Arsenal's far post.

62'

Chelsea made their first substitution, Barkley comes in for Kovacic. Chelsea looks to better side than the first half but still hasn't registered any shots on target.

68'

Arsenal 2 - Chelsea 0

Arsenal with two substitutions, Iwobi comes in for goal scorer Lacazette and Maitland-Niles replaces Ramsey. Chelsea also made their second substitution Giroud replaced Willian to play at least 20 minutes against his former teammates.

Final Whistle!

After 90+4'

Arsenal 2- Chelsea 0 at Emirates Stadium. What an exciting match it was. Chelsea couldn't capitalize the chances they got and that cost them 3 points. Arsenal played their best in this match and collected the much important 3 points to keep their hope alive for the Champions League spot. The first half's two-goal from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny was enough for gunners to bag 3 points at home.

No one made the correct prediction so the 5 most active user will receive 4 SCR each. The Live Blog team will select the 5 most active users and I will send 4SCR to each of their wallets. Thank you all for Joining us, It was a wonderful experience hosting my first Live Blog.