Arsene Wenger has become famous for not seeing the obvious on a football pitch but even he would have failed to miss Arsenal’s title ambitions sink even further thanks to the blue tidal wave that is becoming Chelsea.
Before the match, Wenger had talked of how his players now looked forward to the big matches with a readiness about them but his words proved to be totally redundant as his young Arsenal team capitulated under the brute strength and experience of Chelsea particularly striker, Didier Drogba.
At times Arsenal were fluid and attractive with their football as they dominated possession and territorial advantage but they seemed to suffer from their chronic problem of failing to depict a cutting edge or the ability to grind out a result. Although Wenger has publicly backed his team to the hills even he must wonder about the character of this team as they continue to resemble a poor man’s version of Barcelona.
In Two trips to Manchester this season they came away with no points from either, in games they dominated and really should have won but lacked that steel and workman like performance that Chelsea displayed so effectively at the Emirates.
Ancelotti’s men were by no means head and shoulders above Arsenal today but they showed Wengers boys why they will most probably lift silverware at the end of the season. They came, they grafted and they conquered with all the efficiency that was so prominent under the Mourinho era. Surely the Italian is banishing all memories of the Portuguese man as he has passed every test put forward his way this season.
The Chelsea boss now boasts a 100% record against the other big three while sitting top of the premier league as well as progressing in the Carling cup and the champion’s league all before Christmas – the perfect present to the board and fans alike.
Arsenals on the other hand have some serious problems with today’s result only adding to their misery. With Robin Van Persie ruled out for up to five months and Niklas Bendtner also injured, they seem to be missing a cutting edge in the final third which has now been highlighted for the second week in a row. Van Persie in particular is a huge loss to Wenger. Up until now, the Dutchman was a sure contender for player of the year as he was enjoying being the ‘main man’ since the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor. Both Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs are also injured leaving an already lightweight squad bordering featherweight.
These are testing times for the gunners and not what Wenger needs with the most hectic part of the season to come. How the remainder of Arsenal’s season fairs will be down to what happens in January. As players will depart to Angola for the African cup of nations coupled with injuries, surely Wenger will be forced into the transfer market to save what hopes he has left for the season.
That is of course if he does not intend on talking up his young teams chances of silverware for next year instead.
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2 comments:
Don't you feel that Arsenal somewhat resemble that of Liverpool? Take out Gerrard or Torres and the merseyside club have been found wanting, take out Van Persie and all of Arsenal's firepower has diminished!
The Premier Leagues top scorers have failed to score in there last two Premier League games and now may face some groans at the Emirates if they fail to beat a stubborn and resilient Stoke side.
With Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa all gunning for that lucrative fourth spot, all three of the chasing pack don't rely on one or two players and have more of a squad, which could intern benefit those clubs.
Times ahed for Arsenal and Liverpool maybe tough but with the january transfer window coming, strengthening the squad is a must for Wenger and Benitez!
Van Steff , interesting piece on Arsenal v Chelsea , however you focused on Arsenals "failure to lauch" , that clearly rests on Wengers self obsessed vision of winning with a man's League with supermodel football. This ain't a ballet , this ain't an opera , this is the Premier Laegue , blood,guts and a touch of magic.
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