Arsenal were hoping to end an eight-game winless league run against Chelsea when they welcomed Guus Hiddink's side to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.
A win would have also taken the Gunners back to the top of the table, but they suffered defeat and failed to score against the Blues for the sixth league game in a row as Diego Costa scored the winner five minutes after Per Mertesacker had been sent off.
See how it all unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
2.02pmAfternoon folks! Welcome to SM's build-up for the final Premier League game of matchday 23 and what a clash it is too as Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates. Even though there's two hours until kickoff in North London, there's loads to discuss between now and then.
2.05pmBefore we turn our attention fully to the Emirates, let me just bring you up to date on the earlier kickoff between Everton and Swansea. They've played 35 minutes and it's 2-1 to the visitors thanks to Andre Ayew, who's just had a shot deflected up and in. If you want to follow that game as well, then open this link in a new tab to join my colleague Liam Apicella.
2.08pmMatt Law has also got the La Liga game between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla covered here if you fancy something Spanish as well this afternoon.
2.11pmSo, Arsenal vs. Chelsea then. A London derby that in recent years might have had a huge say in the title race, but not this season. Champions Chelsea are languishing down in 14th, 19 points behind Arsenal, who were in first place until yesterday.
2.14pmThe Gunners have dropped to third after Leicester put three past Stoke to go clear at the top, while Man City's better goal difference means that they are just above Arsenal following a 2-2 draw at West Ham yesterday evening.
2.17pmSo there's plenty of pressure on Arsene Wenger's side today as they know only a win will take them back above Leicester on goal difference at the summit. A point would move them above City, but the Gunners should be targeting a win given Chelsea's plight this season and the fact that they have been on good form at home of late.
2.20pmArsenal have won four in a row at home in the league and five in total if you include the FA Cup third-round win over Sunderland earlier this month. Three of those league wins were against sides below Chelsea in the table, although they did beat City 2-1 in the other match. What a big win that was.
2.23pmIf you look at the home table in our Stats Centre, you'll see that Arsenal are second in front of their own fans, with City the only team to have managed more points at home. However, Arsenal have played two games less in that table and are five points behind City, so two wins would take them to the top. They have only lost once at home in the league and that was way back on the opening weekend when West Ham stunned them 2-0. Since then, they have won seven and drawn two.
2.26pmSince that loss to the Hammers, Wenger's men have also conceded just four goals in nine home league games, never letting in more than one. They have been solid in defence and certainly been helped by the form of Petr Cech, who comes up against his former side again today.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images2.29pmIn case you missed it this week, there was an odd story in the news because Cech's new Adidas gloves were sent to Chelsea's training ground, not Arsenal's. Blues interim manager Guus Hiddink joked in his press conference on Friday that they had been greased up before being sent on to Arsenal!
2.32pmFurther forward Arsenal are able to welcome back star duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez today. Ozil sat out last weekend's 0-0 draw at Stoke with a foot injury, while Alexis has not played since November due to a hamstring problem.
2.35pmSanchez is lacking match fitness, though, and might not play from the start this afternoon. The Chilean has just posted the below photo on Instagram without a caption, what does it mean? Puma make Arsenal's kit - something to do with that, or is it just a picture of an animal he likes?
2.38pmWe'll be getting the confirmed team news in just over 20 minutes and you would expect Ozil to be back in the side, perhaps at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's expense. Apart from that, Wenger could name the same side that started against Stoke. If Sanchez does play from the start, either Joel Campbell or Theo Walcott will drop to the bench.
2.41pmIn terms of injuries, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Danny Welbeck remain out. Coquelin and Welbeck are close to returning to fitness, but they will not be available today. Cazorla and Wilshere are not expected to return until late-February/March time. January signing Mohamed Elneny is still waiting to make his debut and next weekend's FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Burnley might be when he does so.
2.44pmRight, that's Arsenal's form and team news covered. Let's take a look at the visitors. The Blues start the day 14th in the table and just four points above the relegation zone. A win today would take them up to 13th and above West Brom on goal difference.
2.47pmSince Hiddink's arrival in the week before Christmas, Chelsea are unbeaten and in fact currently own the longest unbeaten streak in the league (six games). However, four of the last five matches have been draws, so that's why Chelsea are still within touching distance of the bottom three.
2.50pmThe Blues' last two matches were both at home and they failed to beat West Brom and Everton, drawing 2-2 with the Baggies before salvaging a point against the Toffees last weekend thanks to a 98th-minute goal from John Terry that should not have stood as he was offside.
2.53pmAway from home, Chelsea are the 15th-best team having won just twice on the road this term. One of those was in their last away game when they cruised to a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, but in three of their four away league games before that they failed to score.
2.56pm
The Blues have arrived for today's game... https://t.co/DJARz1y8T9
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 24, 2016
2.59pmAs you can see from the below Vine, Eden Hazard is back in the Chelsea squad today. He has not played since the 3-0 win at Palace, missing the Blues' last three games with a groin problem.
3.01pmBREAKING TEAM NEWS! Hazard is not back in the starting lineup though, while Ozil does return for Arsenal. Full lineups to follow...
3.02pmARSENAL XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Ramsey; Campbell, Ozil, Walcott; Giroud
Subs: Ospina, Chambers, Gibbs, Gabriel, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis
Subs: Ospina, Chambers, Gibbs, Gabriel, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis
3.04pmAs expected, Ozil returns in place of Oxlade-Chamberlain, with Alexis not risked from the start. The rest of the team is unchanged from the goalless draw at Stoke.
3.05pmCHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Oscar; Costa
Subs: Begovic, Cahill, Rahman, Loftus-Cheek, Traore, Hazard, Remy
Subs: Begovic, Cahill, Rahman, Loftus-Cheek, Traore, Hazard, Remy
3.07pmHiddink makes one change as well, bringing Oscar back into midfield in place of Pedro, who is not in the squad today. Not sure why that is. Hazard only makes the bench.
3.10pmBlues left-back Cesar Azpilicueta is making his 150th start for the club and it is also his 100th start in the Premier League. 'Dave', as his teammates call him, has been a solid performer since arriving from Marseille three-and-a-half years ago.
3.13pmBack to Hazard quickly - the Belgian was simply superb as Chelsea won the league last season, but the dip in form he's suffered this term is quite staggering. In all competitions he has played 27 times this term and he is still waiting for a goal after netting 19 last season.
3.16pmIt will be the German's 100th appearance for the Gunners today
'We've got Ozil. Mesut Ozil. I just don't think you understand. He's Arsene Wenger's man. He's better than Zidane!' pic.twitter.com/xJGjLEx2GV
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 24, 2016
3.19pmSTAT: Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games against the Gunners (W5 D3), since Arsenal won 5-3 in October 2011.
3.23pmAll over at the Goodison Park and Swansea beat Everton 2-1. It's the first time Swansea have ever beaten Everton in the league and that means they draw level with Chelsea on 25 points. Everton should have equalised with the last kick of the game, but Seam us Coleman somehow shot over from about three yards. Incredible miss.
3.26pmTo read more about the Swans' win in Francesco Guidolin's first game in charge, our match report can be found here.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images3.29pmBack to the Emirates, where Arsenal will undoubtedly start the match as favourites, but their head-to-head record with Chelsea is not good. The Gunners have not scored in the last eight hours and two minutes of Premier League football against Chelsea. If they fail to score against the Blues today it will equal their longest run without a goal versus any opponent in Premier League history (six games vs. Liverpool 1997 to 2000).
3.31pmQuick team news note - Chelsea have just said on Twitter that Pedro is missing after picking up a stomach bug yesterday. It will be interesting to see how Oscar plays out wide given that he is usually central.
3.34pmMore head-to-head info: Hiddink inflicted Arsenal's heaviest-ever Premier League defeat at the Emirates (4-1 to Chelsea in May 2009). Surely he can't emulate that today?
3.36pmIf Chelsea do win today, it will be their 50th all-time league victory over the Gunners. The Blues have only won 50+ league games against seven other clubs.
3.38pmThe reverse fixture in September went Chelsea's way as they won 2-0 as Arsenal had both Gabriel and Cazorla sent off. This is the third meeting between the two sides this season, though, as they met in the Community Shield and Arsenal won that day at Wembley thanks to Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal.
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© Getty Images3.41pmH2H: At the Emirates, three of the last four Premier League meetings between these two sides have ended as 0-0 draws.
3.44pmArsenal's game against Stoke last week was a really boring game, so hopefully that trend doesn't continue here. Arsenal need to send out a statement with Leicester continuing to look good and City now favourites to win the league thanks to some strong recent form.
3.47pmA deciding factor today could be the mood of Diego Costa. He really riled up the Gunners in the reverse and got retrospectively banned for three games due to his actions in getting Gabriel sent off. The Spaniard has been in good form of late, scoring four and assisting two in his last four Premier League games.
3.50pmPREDICTION: Right then, 10 minutes until we get underway at the Emirates. I can't see this having lots of goals like Chelsea's recent games, but I do think the Blues will get a point here - 1-1.
3.52pmLaces are soooo 2015
A look at @oscar8's boots for today's game... pic.twitter.com/5xnFkYlaMs
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 24, 2016
3.55pmArsenal lost their heads at Stamford Bridge earlier this year, but since then they have been shown just 13 yellow cards and no reds in 16 Premier League games. They are bottom of our yellow-card league and have nine fewer than anyone else.
3.58pmHere come the two teams out of the tunnel then. A Chelsea win today would see them match Arsenal's tally of 400 points in Premier League London derbies.
0 minKICKOFF! The Gunners get us underway! Chelsea are in their home colour of royal blue and also have blue socks today so that they don't clash with Arsenal's white ones.
2 minCHANCE! Early opening for the home side as Walcott gets in behind the Chelsea defence down the left and dinks a cross to the back post where Campbell makes a mess of his volley.
2 minSHOT! Chelsea race down the other end and have their first chance as Oscar lets fly from just inside the box. The ball was going wide of the near post, but Cech took no chances and pushed it wide.
4 minFlamini goes in hard and catches Azpilicueta on the foot just as the Spaniard was clearing away. Later in the game that might have been a booking, but this early on he gets away with it. The referee, by the way, is Mark Clattenburg.
5 minFabregas makes a nice run into the box, but his cutback from the right is just about dealt with by the hosts' backline. Costa was lurking.
8 minOzil has scored three goals and provided a league-high 16 assists this season, but he has never scored or set up a goal in seven career appearances against Chelsea. He was a no-show in his last appearance at Liverpool and whether he is back to his best could play a big part today.
10 minNice one-touch football from Campbell and Giroud before the former finds Flamini in the box. The French midfielder doesn't usually get that far forward and he loses control when both Ozil and Walcott were unmarked to the left.
11 minBOOKING! First yellow card after just 10 minutes as Oscar flies in and wipes out Campbell.
11 minOzil's delivery from the resulting free kick is really poor and Chelsea clear.
13 minChelsea started pretty well, but Arsenal have dominated the ball the last few minutes and now have a 67% possession count. Costa is getting booed every time he touches the ball, by the way.
14 minNot sure about this tweet. Bit cringey.
'IT'S ARSENAL, ARSENAL FC, BY FAR THE GREATEST TEAM, THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN' rings around the ground 0-0 (7) #AFCvCFC
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 24, 2016
15 minCHANCE! Best chance of the match and it falls to Willian. His initial volley was going well wide, but the ball ricocheted straight back to him. The Brazilian had to take it early, but he was inside the box and could only prod straight at Cech.
16 minWalcott dribbles into Chelsea territory and then lays it off for Giroud. There's not much support for the Frenchman so he decides to shoot and fires high and wide.
18 minPER MERTESACKER SENT OFF!
18 minHuge call from Clattenburg as he sends off Mertesacker for a professional foul. The German slid in and brought down Costa, who had poked the ball ahead of him and was bearing down on goal. Correct decision for me.
20 minThe 18th minute also marked 500 minutes since Arsenal last scored in the league against Chelsea. What a chance for the Blues now.
22 minARSENAL SUB: Wenger sends on Gabriel and it's Giroud that is taken off. He's not happy about that!
22 minBig call that from Wenger. He had to make a change, but it's a surprise to see Giroud go off. What it does mean is that we have Costa vs. Gabriel again. Tasty!
23 minGOAL! ARSENAL 0-1 CHELSEA (DIEGO COSTA)
23 minHe was getting booed moments ago for his part in the red card and now Costa winds up the Arsenal fans even more by scoring the opener. It's a simple, simple goal as Ivanovic crosses from the right and Costa beats Cech to the ball at the near post.
25 min
Chelsea have now scored 11 Premier League goals against Arsenal since they last conceded one. pic.twitter.com/rbsCVjAjvR
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2016
26 minI mentioned before kickoff that Arsenal's discipline had been exemplary since they had two men sent off at Stamford Bridge in September, but now they're a man and a goal down against the Blues.
27 minCosta now has five goals in five league games having netted just three in the previous 14.
28 minDeep cross from Fabregas and Bellerin can't reach it, so Costa is there to meet it on the volley but doesn't make a good connection. A really difficult chance, but he would have wanted to get it closer.
31 minIs there any way back for Arsenal? Chelsea are now dominating the ball and there is no focal point to the Gunners' attack.
32 minFabregas goes on a mazy run and manages to get into the area before his shot is blocked by Koscielny's arm. Fabregas and Willian appeal for a penalty, but he was just sliding in and could not move his arm there.
33 minAnd now Arsenal appeal for a penalty at the other end, but Willian used his chest, not his arm to take the ball away from Ramsey.
34 minWalcott curls just wide after a fabulous pass from Monreal, but the England man was flagged offside so it wouldn't have counted anyway.
36 min"Whey!" jeer the Chelsea fans as Ramsey kicks the turf, not the ball as he wound up from 20 yards. Still, it's been a good few minutes for Arsenal after falling behind.
37 min
PHOTO Diego Costa applies the finish to Branislav Ivanovic's fine low cross. Chelsea lead 1-0 (28 mins) #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/TS119xmnwe
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 24, 2016
40 minWalcott flagged offside again after he made that run behind Ivanovic. At just one down, Arsenal are not out of this, but you feel a second Chelsea goal would kill it off.
42 minSAVE! They almost get it too as Costa bursts into the box before firing at goal from a tight angle. Well-hit, but he was never beating Cech from there.
43 minOFF THE LINE! Willian's resulting corner is powerfully met by Ivanovic, but his header is headed off the line by Monreal.
45 minBOOKING! Koscielny picks up just his second yellow card of the season for a late tackle on Willian.
45+1 minOne minute of added time.
45+1 minCHANCE! Huge chance to equalise with the last kick of the half as Flamini volleys over from 12 yards. He was left all alone in the middle but couldn't keep it down.
45+2 minHALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-1 CHELSEA
4.47pm
Arsenal have not won in the last 29 PL games when behind at half-time (D11 L18), though their last win was v Chelsea, 5-3 (A) in Oct 2011
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 24, 2016
4.48pmSo that doesn't make good reading for Arsenal and they certainly have a mountain to climb having lost a man and conceded a goal in the first half. Chelsea are looking good to remain unbeaten under Hiddink! We'll be back in no time for the second half.
46 minKICKOFF! Back underway at the Emirates, with no changes from either manager at half time. Will we see Alexis in the second half?
47 minChelsea start the second half brightly as Oscar has a shot deflected wide after the ball popped up invitingly for a volley.
51 minA reminder that Arsenal did make a first-half change after Mertesacker's red card, with Giroud surprisingly taken off for Gabriel.
53 minIt's been a tough slog for Arsenal since this moment
© Getty Images
© Getty Images56 minOooh Koscielny you lucky boy! Fabregas dribbled into the box and although he lost control of the ball, Koscielny charged in and barged him over. Could have easily been a penalty.
57 minARSENAL SUB: Huge cheers from the home supporters as Alexis comes on for his first appearance in almost two months. He takes Campbell's place.
60 minBOOKING! Matic cautioned for a barge on Alexis. Not that different to the challenge that Koscielny got away with a few minutes ago.
62 minAlexis's introduction has really livened up the crowd and even the Arsenal players seem to have been given a lift by the Chilean coming on.
63 minCLOSE! The Gunners almost equalise! Courtois makes a mess of dealing with Ozil's free kick and the ball is pinging around in the box before Chelsea eventually survive. Koscielny, Gabriel and Alexis all went close.
66 minBellerin wins a corner and this is the loudest it's been all afternoon. Can the home side find a leveller?
67 minThis time Courtois authoritatively grasps the ball under pressure from Koscielny.
68 minCHELSEA SUB: Blues goalscorer Costa is down injured with an apparent hamstring problem and he's replaced by Loic Remy.
69 min
PHOTO Sanchez's introduction has given Arsenal a lift, but no breakthrough yet. Chelsea lead 1-0 (68 mins) #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/bXXjru1GPU
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 24, 2016
70 minSHOT! Fabregas takes aim from 25 yards and it's a good hit, but far too central and easy for Cech to save.
72 minBOOKING! Mikel is shown a yellow card for clothes-lining Alexis off the ball.
75 minARSENAL SUB: One England man for another as Wenger makes his final change, throwing on Oxlade-Chamberlain for Walcott.
76 minCHELSEA SUB: Hazard makes his return after three games out, replacing Oscar.
78 minArsenal had a good few minutes following Alexis's introduction, but Chelsea have been able to quieten them down in the last 10 minutes or so.
80 minNot quite sure how Alexis and Monreal escaped four Chelsea players by the touchline there, but it results in the former bursting into the box where his cross is blocked by Zouma. Should have done better there.
83 minTime to bring him in to your fantasy team?
Diego Costa's five Premier League games under Guus Hiddink: 5 goals 2 assists 33.3% chance conversion rate pic.twitter.com/5wfl0yHRge
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2016
85 minNervy moment for Chelsea as Courtois loses the ball from Ozil's free kick. The ball is lose in the six-yard box but no Arsenal player can get a vital touch and Chelsea survive.
87 minCLOSE! Oxlade-Chamberlain doesn't make good contact from Bellerin's cross, but the ball goes through for Flamini and his inventive flick has the pace taken off it before Courtois pounces on the loose ball.
87 minCHANCE! Arsenal threaten again as Alexis feeds Koscielny and he in turn lays it off for the onrushing Monreal. The ball is just too far ahead of the Spaniard and his cross-cum-shot goes wide.
90+1 minJust after FIVE minutes are added on, Monreal's cutback fails to find a red shirt after a great ball from Sanchez.
90+3 minGreat chance for Chelsea on the break after Hazard robbed the ball from Ozil. He fed Remy, but the striker could not take the ball in his stride and Arsenal scramble back.
90+4 minCHANCE! Another opening on the break for Chelsea as Hazard feeds Willian and the Brazilian drags his shot wide.
90+5 minCech up for a corner...
90+6 minFULL-TIME: ARSENAL 0-1 CHELSEA
5.53pmChelsea extend their unbeaten run to eight games under Hiddink thanks to Costa's first-half goal. It was always going to be difficult for Arsenal after they had Mertesacker sent off and although they huffed and puffed in the second half, Chelsea always looked pretty comfortable.
5.55pmClick here to see how the table looks with matchday 23 now done and dusted. LEICESTER are three clear at the top as Arsenal stay third, level on points with City, while Chelsea climb up to 13th and put seven points between themselves and the bottom three. Great weekend for Leicester and Spurs, you have to say.
5.57pmThat's us done for the day here. Thanks a lot for joining SM. I'll leave you with our match report and wish you a very happy rest of the weekend.
