Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points as Romelu Lukaku-inspired Chelsea silence the Emirates | Premier League 2021-22

#3 Poor midfield display overshadowed by world-class Chelsea backline

Emile Smith Rowe runs with the ball while under pressure from Mateo Kovacic.

The second half against Chelsea saw a much better display from Arsenal. Quick one-twos and the speed of passing in the middle third meant the home side were able to bypass Chelsea's midfield with ease. Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho almost looked lost several times in the second half, as Arsenal exploited their deficiencies.

But Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta were a brick wall for the entire ninety minutes, as they hardly lost a duel all game. Add that to Edouard Mendy's excellent reflexes as well as coming off the line during key moments, and Chelsea looked convincingly like European champions.

What is difficult to believe is that this Blues' camp also consists of Thiago Silva, Trevor Chalobah and Kurt Zouma warming the bench. The squad depth Chelsea have got in their ranks is unreal and could serve them for a while without significant upgrades.

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#4 Lack of a target man the difference between Arsenal and Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea battles for possession with Pablo Mari.

For the past decade now, most Premier League games have been won or lost on small margins. That was no different at the Emirates on Sunday, but a crucial deficiency literally handed the game on a platter for Chelsea. Arsenal lacked a focal point or in technical lingo, a target man, when they took on the Champions League winners at home.

While Lukaku maintained his position as Chelsea's reference point in the opposition half, Gabriel Martinelli was a lonely figure around the Chelsea backline. In fact, the young Brazilian striker did not have a single touch of the ball until the 19th minute.

It was clearly a case of men against boys as the Chelsea back-three positioned themselves intelligently. That hardly provided Martinelli with any space to run into or receive a progressive pass. The youngster struggled for the entire game, and was almost invisible for large swathes.

-0.7 - Since Mikel Arteta's first game in charge on Boxing Day in 2019, Arsenal's Premier League opponents now have a higher expected goals return (78.9) than Arsenal do themselves (78.2). Negative. pic.twitter.com/nQX60Gh4Mi

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 22, 2021

They strengthened their squad this season by becoming the heaviest spenders in the Premier League. But the Gunners seem to lack an influential figure in the final third, who can decide games single-handedly.

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#5 Thomas Tuchel's tactics are spot on

Thomas Tuchel shakes hands with Mikel Arteta after the game.

The game ended with commentators mentioning Thomas Tuchel's enviable record as Chelsea boss since coming on in the middle of the previous season. Replacing Frank Lampard at the Bridge, Tuchel has been a revelation for the London-based club, as no other team except Manchester City have won more points than Chelsea after the German has come on.

More importantly, most English top-flight teams are almost clueless about how they should play against Tuchel's well-organised team, which is brimming with quality. With central midfielders closely placed near the centre-halves, wing-backs underlapping or overlapping almost constantly and a potent front three - it seems increasingly difficult to crack the Tuchel code.

❤️ A huge hug between Thomas Tuchel and Romelu Lukaku at full-time! pic.twitter.com/ngeZgRdeFf

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 22, 2021

An away trip to Anfield looms next for Thomas Tuchel's men. Meanwhile, Arsenal will travel to Manchester City, and might return empty-handed, given their insipid performance against Chelsea.