Home SPORTS Chelsea thrash Arsenal 4-1 to win 2019 Europa League

Chelsea thrash Arsenal 4-1 to win 2019 Europa League

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Chelsea whipped Arsenal 4-1 to emerge winners of the Europa League on Wednesday. 

A brace from Eden Hazard and a goal each from Olivier Giroud and Pedro Rodriguez saw Chelsea lift the trophy in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

Nigerian international Alex Iwobi scored Arsenal’s goal after coming on as a second half substitute.

The defeat means Arsenal will not be at next season’s UEFA Champions League and have now failed to win a European title since winning the now defunct Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

For Chelsea it is their second Europa League title after first winning it in 2013 beating Benfica 2-1 in the final.

Arsenal had the first chance on goal in the ninth minute through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who dragged his effort wide after Kepa Arizabalaga parried Aisley Maitland-Niles’ low cross.

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In the 18th minute, Arsenal’s shout for a penalty was turned down despite Arizabalaga clipping Alexandre Lacazette inside the box.

Arsenal continued to create chances and went close again in the 28th minute but Granit Xhaka’s long range strike clipped the Chelsea bar.

Chelsea had their first big chance on 34 minutes through Emerson who found space on the left and powered a strike at the near post which Petr Cech parried away.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Olivier Giroud got clear sight of goal in a central position, but Cech got down quickly to turn the ball away from danger.

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Chelsea got off to a good start in the second half as they went 1-0 up on 49 minutes Thanks to Giroud who headed in Emerson’s cross.

Chelsea doubled their lead in the 60th minute this time from Pedro Rodriguez who slotted home Hazard’s low cross.

Things went from bad to worse for Arsenal as Chelsea were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes which was converted by Hazard.

Iwobi gave Arsenal hope in the 69th minute volleying into the far corner from a corner.

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But in the 72nd minute Hazard put the game beyond doubt following a left foot low strike off Giroud’s dinked pass.

Despite being down Arsenal went close on several occasions but Lacazette saw his close strike stopped by Arizabalaga while Joe Willock fired wide with the Chelsea keeper to beat.

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