Kevin Whitcher
After excellent results and performances on the trips to Anfield and Eastlands, this was a salient lesson that different opposition offers different challenges, and ultimately, the better team won this match, even though Arsenal could have taken a point through their perseverance.
For this observer, ultimately, the slightly better quality of Chelsea told. Arsenal were guilty of individual errors for the two goals, arguably errors that might not have been made by different players. Laurent Koscielny has sometimes struggled with the physical element of the Premier League, and (although I have not had the opportunity to see any of the action from yesterday on TV, so these impressions are drawn only from watching the match live) he was simply outmuscled by Fernando Torres for the opening goal. It was an interesting decision to drop Per Mertesacker to make room for the return of the captain Vermaelen, but the German would have been right to feel harshly done by given his imperious display against Manchester City. It is evidence that the manager picks on the basis of favourites rather than form, and most would agree this policy did not work out yesterday. To twist the knife, Gooners thinking that the departure of Didier Drogba would see the end of Arsenal centre backs being swatted away up by a strong Chelsea forward realized that the nightmare continues. At least Torres had the good grace to miss an easy opportunity to double the lead soon after.
As far as I could see, the second goal was simply down to poor keeping. Koscielny was doing just enough to shield the ball from his opponent, but Mannone did not follow the path of the free kick, perhaps not trusting his defender, who knows? It should have been an easy save. So two goals from errors better players would not have made.
Additionally, Chelsea did a job on Arsenal. Identifying their strengths and nullifying them in a way Manchester City and Liverpool did not. Key players were not allowed to influence, especially Cazorla. Roberto Di Matteo may not have much of a reputation as a manager, but tactically, he beats Arsene Wenger hands down. Space did ultimately open up eventually during the second half, but Chelsea then just defended better deeper, restricting the number of chances and always threatening on the counter attack. The home side were not helped by being over-ponderous on breaks, with Gervinho guilty more than once.
Arsenal’s goal was well fashioned, and credit to the Ivorian for his finish, although if presented with enough chances, some will inevitably find their target by the law of averages. It came at a vital time, and the few minutes either side of half-time were good ones for Wenger’s team as they created danger.
Abou Diaby’s limping off early in the match would not have been a great shock to anyone, and is a demonstration that, ultimately, the player, for all his merits, is probably unlikely to ever enjoy the kind of extended run that is needed for a settled winning team to develop. It’s unfortunate, but at some time, the decision has to be made that the club cannot afford to regard him as a first choice player, for the sake of consistency. The problem at the moment with this is that the two who filled in for him during this game – Ramsey and later on Oxlade-Chamberlain – simply lacked either the quality or experience for the task on the day. Both put in below par displays, and one suspects with Diaby on the field, Arsenal might have fared better. Long term, Jack Wilshere offers the best option to partner Arteta, but there are Diaby-esque concerns about him which we can only hope prove false. It was interesting to see Johan Djourou warming up with Giroud and Walcott. I wonder if Wenger considered bringing him on to bolster the central midfield.
The most frustrating thing about yesterday was that, even if Chelsea looked the better side, their goals were cheap, and both from free kicks. Arsenal did fathom chances, but the shooting was wayward. Cazorla was guilty on this front and Giroud’s late effort may not have been as easy as it looked in the stadium, but sometimes, these type of opportunities have to be converted in key games like this. It was on his favoured foot and he’d done the hard bit in rounding the keeper.
When all is said and done, Arsene Wenger can learn from this game if he picks it apart and sees where things went wrong. No-one in an Arsenal shirt had a standout game and to an extent this indicated how effectively the opposition set up to ensure that. Even so, they could have taken a result from this match and that says something about the team. Even in adversity, there is still enough in the locker to forge opportunities, but yesterday, they were passed up. With winnable matches against Olympiacos and West Ham to come before the international break, the team has the chance to demonstrate that they can bounce back and ensure the good start to the season has not been in vain. There is work to be done, and questions to be asked about selection and quality in depth. The manager has shown he is willing to accept change, so perhaps this needs to be extended to the way he selects his team and the policy of parsimony in the transfer market. The back up to Szczesny is not of the requisite quality and some of the millions in the bank might be better served on experienced back up rather than sitting in a vault. Tottenham currently have Hugo Lloris sitting on their bench…
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