Arsenal settle for draw in tight game with Chelsea

Arsenal failed to take use of some great chances as they looked to edge closer to an automatic Champions League place as they drew with Chelsea 0-0 at the Emirates on Saturday. Robin Van Persie, the league's top goal scorer had an off day as he had several great chances to give the Gunners all three points against a weakened Chelsea side who were recovering from their first leg tie with Barcelona in midweek. Arsenal made quite a few changes to the side that lost to Wigan as Koscielny came back from suspension to replace Djourou. Meanwhile Gibbs came back into the side for Andre Santos and Ramsey came in for the injured Arteta. Yossi Benayoun, however missed the game as he is on loan from Chelsea and is therefore ineligible so Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced him.

Van Persie had the majority of the games chances but failed to convert any of them

The first chance of the game fell to Arsenal. Tomas Rosicky picked up the ball and drove forward until he got to the edge of the area and hit a shot which was easily saved by Cech.

Arsenal then squandered a great opportunity to give themselves the lead. Theo Walcott floated in a freekick to the back post into Van Persie who hit the outside of the post and the ball went wide.

The Gunners next chance was also to come from a free kick. Van Persie delivered the ball into the box and onto the head of Koscielny but his guided header bounced back off the bar.

Chelsea finally then managed to create a chance. Malouda curled the ball in from the corner which found Terry but he headed the ball high and wide of the goal.

Arsenal were dominating the first half and Cech managed to keep Arsenal at bay again. Song clipped the ball towards the back post and into the path of Van Persie who smashed a shot which was straight at Cech who made the save.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first effort on goal in the second half came from Chelsea as Sturridge found room for a shot but it was deflected straight into the arms of Szczesny.

Van Persie then tried to replicate the volleys he had scored against Everton and Liverpool. Ramsey floated the ball into the Arsenal skipper, who on the volley, sliced his shot high and wide.

Arsenal then had a decent appeal for a penalty turned down as Van Persie seemed to be pushed in the back by Cahill but the referee waved away the protests.

It didn't look like being Van Persie's day as he scuffed another great opportunity. Song played a great ball into the Dutchman but he rushed his shot and sliced the ball wide.

It was then Gervinho's turn to set up Van Persie as he played him down the left hand side, Van Persie then wrong footed Cahill before playing the ball off Cech and out for a corner.

The final score ended Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky(65), Walcott(60), Oxlade-Chamberlain(70), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Santos(70), Diaby(65), Coquelin, Gervinho(60), Chamakh.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand(77), Essien, Romeu(66), Malouda, Sturridge, Kalou(74), Torres.
Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Cole(77), Mikel(66), Meireles, Lampard, Mata(74).

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 60,111