Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea: Talking Points and Observations | Premier League 2018-19

Arsenal played host to Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in an all-important Premier League fixture on Saturday. The mood around the Emirates hasn't been in the recent weeks as Arsenal struggled to produce results on the pitch.

Chelsea hasn't exactly been in Candyland either, having scored just 13 goals in their last 11 league games. Chelsea scored 27 times in the first 11 games but the goals have seriously dried up for the Stamford Bridge outfit as both striker Giroud and Morata have proven extremely unreliable over a sustained period.

Chelsea had the lion's share of possession in the first half and had six shots. None of them troubled Bernd Leno in the slightest. Arsenal, on the other hand, had 10 shots on goal, with 5 of them hitting the target, two of them going past the Kepa Arrizabalaga. Lacazette finished off a beautiful Bellerin pass with an exquisite finish from a tight angle at the 14th minute and Koscielny shouldered the ball in from Sokratis' lob into the box around the 40th minute.

Chelsea tried to score but were lacking in every department against the home side, who just wanted the win more than the visitors. Here are the key talking points from the game.

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#1 Hector Bellerin blow for Arsenal

Bellerin being consoled by teammates and rivals alike as the Spaniard cried uncontrollably on the turf

The Spaniard was stretchered off the turf at the 72nd-minute mark as he injured himself trying to stretch for the ball and went down yelping in pain. The medical staff tried to treat him for a minute before calling the stretcher.

Hector Bellerin made his first start for five weeks after picking up a calf injury against Southampton. Seeing the way he left the pitch, Bellerin is set for a long spell on the sidelines.

Speaking after the game, Arsenal boss Unai Emery gave an assessment of the injury sustained by his fullback. "It is his knee and the first prediction is it is an important [bad] injury," Emery said.

#2 Four-man backline worked wonders for Emery, Koscielny brilliant

Koscielny is proving to be a much superior partner for Sokratis than Mustafi.

Ever since his arrival, Emery's biggest problem at the Emirates has been his defense. Though they improved a lot offensively, they struggled at the back.

The Spanish manager experimented with a back three on quite a few occasions this season, to varying effect, but opted for a well drilled 4-3-3 with Aubameyang and Ramsey flanking Lacazette, being supported by bombing fullbacks, Bellerin and Kolasinac.

Sokratis and Koscielny put in an excellent shift, keeping Hazard & Co quiet for the entirety of the match. The Arsenal centre-back duo never gave them space or time to dictate play. Laurent Koscielny was brilliant on the night and produced a Man of the Match performance. Sokratis supported his partner well and had a good game.

#3 Chelsea need a proven goalscorer

Higuain is reportedly all set to join Chelsea, with an official announcement coming after Monday

One thing is very clear after Chelsea's defeat at the Emirates. Chelsea needs a genuine goalscorer and they need him fast.

Sarri's system requires a focal point of attack, someone who can play several attacking roles with relative ease, a role that Dries Mertens did when Sarri managed Napoli. His current strikers, Giroud and Morata, haven't performed the way his manager wanted them to.

Giroud has only scored once so far in the Premier League and struggled with some injury problems this season. Morata, on the other hand, has scored just five league goals this season.

Chelsea have tried Hazard in the role but the Belgian international is not a genuine No.9. He can do the job for a game or two but not on a consistent basis. Buying Higuain or someone of the same ilk would lighten the burden on the No. 10 and maybe convince him into investing the prime of his life at the West London outfit.

#4 Arsenal must sell Ozil and re-invest

Arsenal FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League

Mesut Ozil was an unused substitute on the night at the Emirates. Ozil has made only 12 starts for Arsenal in the Premier League this season and scored just three times.

Part of the reason why the Gunners can't invest in the squad during the January transfer window is the mega-contract that the World Cup winner signed in 2018, seeing the playmaker make in excess of £350k a week. If Ozil is not in Emery plans, the club should consider selling the German international and invest the money in the transfer market.

Getting rid of him may even mean more opportunities for club youth like Smith-Rowe, Willock, etc. Watching youth players excel is a joy in itself, and if Ozil's departure can fund new faces and facilitate the growth of local talent, it's a possibility the hierarchy must start planning about already.

#5 Patience is a must for both teams

Both managers are only in their first year and need time to build the team

Arsenal and Chelsea fanbases are both currently spiraling, with the Gunners' fanbase failing to understand a lot of the manager's decisions in regards to personnel selection or where to play them, and the Chelsea fanbase thinking the gameplay is boring now that the goals aren't flying in anymore.

To be fair to them, both managers just arrived and need time to shape the club. Even Pep Guardiola had a mediocre debut season with Manchester City. Premier League is arguably the toughest league in Europe and one cannot find success immediately.

Both teams showed promise at some point in the season and the fans must remain patient. Both managers need at least a couple of good transfer window to produce consistent results.