Five things we learnt from Arsenal's dull goalless draw against Chelsea

Pragmatist Mourinho settles for the draw

After having conceded more league goals this season than in the entirety of his first season in charge, Mourinho was determined to rethink his side and bring back the stability of old. And against Arsenal, he did just that, with a back-to-basic approach in which he congested the midfield, which ensured that Arsenal never really got going.

In the process, he also left two of his most creative players, Oscar and Mata, on the bench, a move that wouldn’t have pleased the owner all that much. But Mourinho did what he always does and if he continues to deliver the goods, he might just get away with it.

Arsenal dominate possession, but fail to create any chances

It is not very often that a team with over 60% possession fail to work the goalkeeper even once during the game. But, that is precisely what happened with Arsenal, as Wenger’s side were unable to wrestle control of the midfield and create any clear cut chances.

The closest Arsenal came to a goal, was the two chances Giroud was provided with, on the back of some slick passing. The first one was blasted wide and the second was blocked by Cech’s knees. For a side, famed for creating chances, Arsenal never really got going in this game.

Both teams fail to spread some festive cheer

Being the final match before Christmas, fans would have been forgiven for thinking that both teams would some festive cheer and entertain the fans with some thrilling goal-mouth action. But unfortunately, most of the game was akin to a game of chess and the heavy weather made it all the more difficult for either side to get going.

The tempo of the game was set early on, with Chelsea laying down the gauntlet for Arsenal to come out and break their resolute defense. But unfortunately, Arsenal were unable to do so and that made for a game that will not stay long in the memory of either side.

Omens look good for Arsenal

There is something that all the Arsenal fans, who are worrying about the side not being top at Christmas must know about. Whilst it is true that, psychologically being top at Christmas is a wonderful, recent history suggests that teams that are top at Christmas, don’t necessarily go on to win the title.

This is especially true for Arsenal, as all three of their Premier League titles have come when, you guessed it, they weren’t top at Christmas. And on the two occasions that they were, they didn’t win it. So, the omens look good for Arsenal, but they will only get there if the can find a way to get past the big sides.

Whilst it is all well good to beat the Cardiff’s and Hull’s of this world, they also have to find a way past the other sides challenging for the title, and that, barring a win over Liverpool, is something Arsenal haven’t managed to do, so far this season.

Mike Dean in the spotlight

Being a referee is one of the most thankless jobs in the world. The entire world is on you, the moment you make a mistake and none of the good work, ever gets any attention. And whilst it is bad enough that all this pressure is put on them, when players go about trying to con the referee, it makes his job, all the more difficult.

To put things into perspective, the only contentious decision referee Mike Dean got wrong in the game, was a tackle from Mikel on Arteta, that should have warranted a red card, but Mikel escaped without so much as a ticking off.

Aside from that, the referee was more than happy to let play go on. And whilst it is easy to question the referee when he gets something wrong, why doesn’t anybody question Azpilicueta or Ivanovic for rolling on the floor and trying to con the referee when the contact was minimal to say the least.

And unless players change, referees will continue to be the scapegoats.