Premier League: Chelsea drop first points, Arsenal win

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Chelsea had won all five of their league matches before the weekend, going head-to-head with Liverpool, who beat Southampton on Saturday to make it six wins out of six, but Sarri's team's 100 percent Premier League record was ended by stubborn West Ham in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

The visitors enjoyed 72 percent of possession at the London Stadium but failed to break down a determined West Ham side, who created enough clear-cut chances to win the game themselves.

Sarri said West Ham, who beat Everton last week after losing their first four league games of the season, had been tough opponents, adding that his team needed to find a way to move the ball quicker.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri (R) protests with the match official during the match. /VCG Photo

Turning his thoughts to Saturday's match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, Sarri, in his first season in the job, said it would be tough to compete with a side that had been developing for three years under Jurgen Klopp.

"So for us I think it's a bit early. We have to work. We need to improve and then maybe in one year we will be at the same level of Liverpool."

The Chelsea boss said he was unsure of how many changes he would make for the midweek third-round League Cup tie, also against Liverpool.

Arsenal ride their luck

Alexandre Lacazette (R) of Arsenal celebrates his first goal with Mesut Ozil during the match. /VCG Photo

Alexandre Lacazette fired Arsenal to a fourth successive Premier League win as the French forward's superb strike inspired a hard-fought 2-0 success against Everton on Sunday.

Unai Emery's side rode their luck in the first half at the Emirates Stadium as Everton wasted a host of chances to punish a sloppy opening from the Gunners.

But Lacazette ensured that lethargic spell wouldn't prove costly when he smashed a sublime opener in the second half.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled Arsenal's lead moments later when the Gabon forward was allowed to slot home despite being clearly offside.

That controversial effort shattered Everton's resolve as Arsenal celebrated a flattering victory that lifted them to sixth place in the Premier League.

Source(s): AFP