Arsenal suffer first defeat of season as they lose to Chelsea

Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the 2012/13 season on Saturday as in form Chelsea took all three points despite Gervinho's goal just before half time. It was the first time this season that there were problems in defence. The full backs were solid again but this was the first time that Koscielny and Vermaelen had been paired together this season in the middle of defence. The two are used to playing with each other but it was Koscielny's error that lead to Chelsea's first goal and he maybe could've done better with the second goal as well. Arsenal were good going forward but there was once more a lack of end product. Podolski came close to scoring, as did Olivier Giroud when he came off the bench but he missed a great chance to equalise late in the game.

The first shot of the game came from David Luiz who hit a dipping effort from a free-kick but it bounced straight into the hands of Vito Mannone.

Arsenal's first shot was taken on by Aaron Ramsey who drove towards the area before slicing a shot wide of the goal.

The next chance fell Santi Cazorla's way as Gervinho layed the ball off to the Spaniard but he swept the ball over the bar.

However it was Chelsea who took the lead despite Arsenal's early chances. Juan Mata swung in a free-kick and with Koscielny with his back to the goal, Torres managed to swing a leg around the French defender to put the ball home.

Three minutes before the break Arsenal equalised. Oxlade-Chamberlain played the ball into Gervinho who was allowed to turn before smashing the ball into the top corner of the net.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first chance of the second half fell to the creator of Arsenal's first goal in Chamberlain as he let fly from outside the box but the ball went wide.

Lukas Podolski then made a great run into the box to create another opportunity. He flashed the ball across the box, the ball then bounced off of Cole before falling out to Cazorla, who sliced the ball wide of the goal as another chance went begging. 

However it was Chelsea once more who took use of their chances and regained the lead. Juan Mata curled in a free-kick which went all the way through the defence and past Mannone for 2-1.

Just before the hour mark Lukas Podolski was denied brilliantly by Cech. Gibbs' ball in was headed towards goal by Podolski but Cech did brilliantly to claw the ball away.

Cech then did brilliantly again but this time it was to deny Giroud, as the Frenchman was played through by Cazorla but his deflected shot was somehow kept out.

Into injury time, and Olivier Giroud was given a fantastic opportunity for Arsenal to take a point away from the game. Oxlade-Chamberlain slipped the ball through to Giroud who went round Cech before firing the ball into the side netting.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby(17), Arteta, Cazorla, Ramsey(66), Gervinho, Podolski(66).
Subs: Martinez, Mertesacker, Djourou, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain(17), Walcott(66), Giroud(66). 

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz(80), Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Oscar(73), Hazard, Mata(84), Torres.
Subs: Turnbull, Cahill(80), Bertrand(84), Azpilicueta, Romeu, Lampard, Moses(73)

Man of the match: Carl Jenkinson

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 60,101