It was supposed to be the 'Battle at the Bridge', which could have given a clear picture that Chelsea were back on course after a slight but very clear nudge against QPR the previous weekend, and also a vindication that Arsenal are just Arsenal, a team not yet ready to challenge for honours and the usual rap sheet. Well, the first 15 minutes of what proved to be an enthralling match was that. Chelsea steam-rolling their visitors, and it looked like they were going to run away with the points and make the Gunners look 'Blue' in the process. But, that was only for 15 minutes. Everyone knows what happened after that so I will refrain from divulging into the details of what proved to be one of the most entertaining matches of the season, alongside the 8-2 blockbuster and the now well-known Manchester derby.
To the Post-Mortem, because that was somewhat of a murder from a Chelsea point of view.
The main reason it was such an open game was not necessarily due to the open-attacking philosophies of both managers, but the sheer diabolical defending by both sets of players. The Blues were bullying both Djourou and Santos on both flanks, as Daniel Sturridge burned the Brazillian on more than one occasion. On the other wing, Ashley Cole made Johan Djourou look like Swiss Cheese. Frank Lampard was influential in the first half where he played passes at will and released the wingers. Fernando Torres however, looked like he had just returned from a wonderful week at the Bahamas, a total whitewash. Arsenal on the other hand, were extremely shaky at the start, but slowly grew into the game and created numerous chances. Ramsey was 'the' man in the midfield after half an hour or so, controlling the pace of the game, though Mikel Arteta looked out of his depth. The Spaniard may have been Everton's most skillful player, but he looks average in an Arsenal jersey. Gervinho managed to trouble Jose Bosingwa on many occasions, and it was surprising that he was played at right-back rather than the more muscular Ivanovic, and slot David Luiz alongside the England captain.
The amount of chances created by both teams left me dumbfounded, and I could not help but think that if one of this teams were playing against the team from the Blue side of Manchester, then it could have been a cricket score against them. Ramsey was able to slice open the Chelsea defense whenever he wanted to, and the composure he displayed with the ball at his feet suggests that the absence of the previous 'Number 4' will not be felt at all. The experience and calmness he has is at times mesmerising. Alex Song was good on the day, but he was lucky not to be carded much earlier in the game. It will definitely be interesting come January when Gervinho and Song fly off to Africa to represent their countries in the Nations Cup, though Frimpong looks like an able deputy for the Cameroonian. I just hope Tomas Rosicky is given a chance alongside Ramsey in the game against Marseille because he brings more pace to the offense as compared to Arteta, but the duo are now on the wrong side of thirty. Moving on, the Arsenal defense looked suspect on every Chelsea attack in the first half, and they could use a couple of fullbacks who defend well, though Andre Santos is impressive going forward, having already notched up two goals in a handful of games when Gael Clichy only managed to grab 2 goals in his whole career in North London.
However, Chelsea's defenders were playing like schoolboys. It looked like John Terry slipped, but he was literally hugging the turf when Van Persie was behind him, as though shot by a sawed of shotgun. The torrid week he endured looks like it is going to get a whole lot worse. Ivanovic was no better, as the was no visible communication between the two. On the opposite side, the partnership of Mertesacker and Koscielny were not great, though the Frenchman was impressive throughout the game, and Mertesacker looks like he could be a liability due to his glaring lack of pace. Whether or not Arsene Wenger decides to drop the German in favour of the Belgian stalwart Thomas Vermaelen is a topic for another day, but the Marseille game will certainly shed some light into that.
Previous Chelsea teams never played with such an open way, but what is more surprising is the state of their defense. The back four were the same players last season, but it looks like they are not getting the needed protection from the midfield. Fingers will be pointed at the manager, and only time will tell if Abramovich decides to do anything or not, because he is notorious for jumping the gun. Chelsea will no doubt beat the lesser teams, but it is now 2 defeats this season against their main rivals in United and Arsenal. The Russian dynamo will not like it if events were to continue like this, but from a Gunners point of view, it was a good day at the office for Wenger and his boys, but I wouldn't be overjoyed as the defense looks like in could come crashing down like a pack of cards anytime.
Till next time,
Goodbye.
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