Chelsea close in on title after stalemate at Arsenal

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea suffocated the life from their crunch derby clash at Arsenal to place one hand on the Premier League trophy.

Arsenal enjoyed more possession but created few clear-cut chances and couldn’t break down a resilient Chelsea side.

With Diego Costa and Loic Remy both injured, Jose Mourinho fielded a revolving front three of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian. However, it was Ramires who had his side’s best chance, hitting a weak chance at David Ospina after being put through by Willian.

There were contentious penalty claims at both ends, with Oscar and Cesc Fabregas both felled in the box while Gary Cahill blocked Santi Cazorla’s shot with his arm at the other end.

Fabregas was given a mixed reception and was booed by some Arsenal fans when he was on the ball. However, there were signs that some of the Emirates faithful still have love for their former captain as he received some applause when he was subbed off.

The result means Chelsea can not win the League against Leicester City on Wednesday but can do so against Crystal Palace next Sunday.

7’ CHANCE Oscar is dispossessed by Bellerin in the box and believes he is fouled. Mourinho wants a penalty but there was minimal contact.

15’ CHANCE Good chance for Chelsea as Fabregas plays a long ball over the top to Oscar. Ospina comes out to meet him but Oscar gets a lob off and it takes the head of Hector Bellerin to prevent a goal.

22’ BOOKING First booking goes to Cesc Fabregas! The Chelsea midfielder takes a tumble in front of Cazorla and Oliver shows him a yellow.

33’ PENALTY SHOUT’ Big handball shout against Chelsea. Sanchez chips it in to Bellerin who does well to cross it to Cazorla. The midfielder takes a shot and it slams into Cahill's hand. No penalty says Oliver.

37’ CHANCE Good chance for Chelsea. Willian slips in Ramires on goal but his fellow countryman can only muster a limp shot.

75’ CHANCE Koscielny bursts down the left wing and plays a bass back to Cazorla on the edge of the box. The Spaniard fluffs his shot wide.

90’ +1 CHANCE Monreal's cross evades Welbeck in the box, who was inches away from it.

Chelsea have 5 bookings for simulation in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.

Nemanja Matic made his 50th Premier League appearance.

This was the first home game this season where Arsenal have not scored.

Can Arsenal muster a title challenge next season? If Arsenal hadn’t started the season so poorly, this game could’ve carried a bit more significance. Instead, Chelsea were happy to take a point knowing that the League title is within touching distance. With star players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil entering their prime, Arsenal have showed they could match Chelsea in this game and could be the side to offer the biggest threat to next season.

John Terry (Chelsea) : At 34, Terry is still quite clearly one of the best centre backs in the world and certainly in the Premier League. He led by example, keeping Oliver Giroud and the other Arsenal attackers at bay all game. Terry’s leadership and reading of the game have been crucial to his side this season. He celebrated the draw at full-time like it clinched the title. In hindsight, we'll probably all agree that it did.

Arsenal: Ospina 6, Bellerin 6, Mertesacker 6, Koscielny 7, Monreal 7, Coquelin 6, Cazorla 6, Ramsey 6, Ozil 7, Alexis 7, Giroud 6. Subs: Szczesny, Debuchy, Gibbs, Wilshere, Walcott 5, Flamini, Welbeck 5.

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Ivanovic 6, Cahill 7, Terry 8, Azpilicueta 7, Matic 6, Fabregas 7, Ramires 6, Oscar 6, Willian 6, Hazard 5. Subs: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma 5, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Cuadrado 4, Drogba 6.