Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal - Game Analysis

Chelsea vs Arsenal has always been an exciting clash. The North London Derby always creates an exciting atmosphere that frequently lifts the fans off their seats.

The level of excitement was no less when these two great sides met at Stamford Bridge a.k.a “Lion’s den”. Under-pressure and un-favoured Rafa Benitez took on the depleted Gunners who had lost Mikel Arteta, AOC and Lucas Podolski due to injury while Gervinho was out because of the African Cup of Nations. Hence Arsene Wenger was left with no choice but to play Santi Cazorla on the left, Theo Walcott on the right and the tall Giroud as the striker.

Meanwhile, David Luiz and Obi Mikel were unavailable which made Benitez pair Lampard and Ramires in the middle of the park, thus providing protection to the Chelsea back four.

Lampard vs Wilshere was one of the awaited clash. Wilshere was partnered by Diaby and Coquelin as Wenger opted for a defensive midfield trio to resist the blistering and tricky attacking trio of Mata-Oscar-Hazard. Yet, it was a tactical blunder by the experienced Arsene Wenger who could have started with Aaron Ramsey instead of Coquelin as Ramsey loves marauding forward. The defensive Diaby and Coquelin found it hard to cope up against Mata-Oscar-Hazard, which forced Wilshere to track back. Hence Ramires and Lampard dominated the big space in the midfield. Well, one could say Arsenal missed Arteta. Chelsea were to hard to break down when Arsenal won the ball because Chelsea quickly shifted their from attack to defense and Arsenal found it tough to find a way through the Chelsea players with Oscar tracking back too.

Thus Ramires and Lampard controlled the midfield area and Ramires’ work led to the two goals that Mata and Lampard scored. Szczesny could have done better to stop Mata’s shot.

In the second half, Cazorla moved into the midfield and that worried the hosts, and his brilliant through-ball was very well taken by Walcott to slot it past the big Cech. The introduction of Arshavin in place of Diaby was another blunder by Wenger as Arshavin did not have any answers for the quick young Spanish right-back. But the introduction of Aaron Ramsey gave Gunners a rare hope in attack but it left them prone to the counter attacks (thanks to Vermaelen’s block when Ba went past Szczesny). Hence it was a poor game from Arsenal, especially in the first half with Giroud failing to fill van Persie’s shoes.

CONCLUSION

Hazard was having fun with Sagna, as the French full back seemed to forget his defensive duties and crosses. The pressure on Wenger has now intensified as they are failing to catch up Andre Villas Boas’ Tottenham Hotspur, who have been amazing this season. Once again, Arsene Wenger’s old foe Rafa Benitez and his plans resulted in Arsenal’s depression. Every department in the Arsenal’s playing XI needs a new technically sound player. Let’s hope Wenger doesn’t disappoint his fans who still hold the banner of “IN ARSENE WE TRUST”.