Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal LIVE – Arsenal edge past Chelsea in five-goal thriller

“I think the first goal was disappointing,” The Englishman explained. “That was a team goal, it’s not just on Rob.

“I’m asking Rob to do things that he hasn’t done before. I said to him before the game, and I made this really clear, when my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. That’s on me.

“He made a save in the second half that was absolutely world-class, that could have put us out of the tie. He will improve in terms of his understanding. He’s had a very good season.

“There were very, very good moments with him. I’ll stay positive with him, as I will with all the group. My job is to help them, not to blame them.”

“The game came too early for him,” he said. “Hopefully, he’ll be available to train on Friday, and hopefully he’ll be ready for us to play on Saturday.

“He had a little minor strain in his thigh. If you play a player too early in January with a minor strain, it can turn to six weeks. I can’t afford to lose Cole Palmer for six weeks because he’s that good.”

“Reece James had a big knock on his hip, it was too sore for him today, so hopefully he’ll be back for Saturday. Jamie Gittens was ill last night, Liam Delap was due to play today but was ill four hours before the game. We couldn’t play him.”

“We didn’t play very well in the second half and let them give us more pressure,” he said to Sky Sports.

“That’s how we conceded the goals. Not up to our standards really. It’s a bit disappointing, the second half, but a win.”

“I think it was a tough game,” he said.

“We defended well. They were, as always, dangerous when they have counter-attacks, but I think we defended well.

“Unfortunate to have conceded two but offensively we scored three, so happy with that.”

“That’s what I need to do and I can do it more often,” he said to Sky Sports. “We won today and we keep going.

“It’s still a second leg but of course it’s good to come away with a win and advantage for the second leg, but we still have to do a good performance in the second match.”

Various Arsenal and Chelsea players have collided on the pitch.

That’s it! Arsenal just about get over the line!

They take a one-goal lead to the Emirates in three weeks time.

Jurrien Timber is shown a yellow card for fouling Andrey Santos.

Only a couple of minutes remain and Arsenal appear to have this one in the bag unless Chelsea find a way back into it.

Five more minutes in this one.

Pedro Neto is shown a yellow card for dissent after protesting a foul on Bukayo Saka.

Chelsea pushing for an equaliser here.

Neto wins a corner off Gabriel, but the subsequent set piece is blown for a foul.

Garnacho scores again to bring Chelsea back into this match!

A brief VAR check clears and the Blues are now a goal behind.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus replace Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres.

Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella come off for Tosin and Shumaira Mheuka.

Mikel Merino is shown a yellow card for wiping out Joao Pedro.

Arsenal really should be out of sight here, but Mikel Merino is denied by an outstanding save from Sanchez, who comes flying out to meet his fellow countryman’s volley.

Jorrel Hato replaces Wesley Fofana.

Chelsea pushed Arsenal as they searched for an equaliser but the Gunners have extended their advantage through Martin Zubimendi!

The midfielder does well to fool the Chelsea defence by faking to shoot, before firing past Sanchez for Arsenal’s third of the tie.

Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard are replaced by Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli.

Benoit Badiashile is shown a yellow card for chopping down Bukayo Saka.

Garnacho’s goal has lifted Stamford Bridge, the Blues are pinning back Arsenal with Estevao’s goal-bound shot being headed away by Gabriel.

Garnacho makes an instant impact and scores for Chelsea.

Pedro Neto delivers a ball into the box which evades the Arsenal defenders and falls to Garnacho.

He takes his time and powers it in.