Didier Drogba kept up his remarkable goalscoring record against the Gunners as Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge. The game started with high tempo as Marouane Chamakh had a chance to head home in the first minute itself after which Sebastien Squillaci missed a header in the same minute. It promised a fantastic opening to the match as odds were obviously against Arsenal. One thing was constant throughout: nervy defending from the away side. Arshavin had a go at Chelsea goal in the 9th minute forcing a save from Cech. It was the 799th time and incidentally 14 years and 2 days since Wenger was coaching the gunners and during the first decade of his managerial duty he has never lost to Chelsea.
It was an end to end stuff between the two London sides. Arshavin, otherwise sloppy, fired in a bullet which required another save from the Blues goalkeeper. Samir Nasri could have taken the lead had Terry not marked well. Drogba was too strong for Koscielny as well as the whole Arsenal back four. Chelsea’s first shot on target was only in the 36th minute when Drogba forced a save from Fabianski, who had to step into the shoes of Manuel Almunia due to the latter’s injury.
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It was a deserving scoreline for the sides as they went ahead for the half time break when Chelsea ended a fantastic move. Ramires stole the ball from Song and played it to Cole who came running from the left flank only to provide it to Drogba who smartly dragged the ball in. Arsenal started the second half on top, and Abou Diaby, playing just behind Chamakh, saw an effort deflect narrowly wide, before an error from Sebastien Squillaci allowed Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka to run clean through, but after rounding Fabianski he could only sidefoot into the side netting.
Wenger threw on young forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to partner the Moroccan Chamakh. It was a useless free kick offered to a side who have the likes of Anelka, Drogba and Alex who are quite adept at free kicks from 30 yards. It was expected of Drogba to take the kick but Brazilian defender Alex charged up to the ball and let fly with a stunning strike that Fabianski could only get a fingertip to on its way into the top corner. The game ended 2-0.
True the injury list was more for the gunners than for the blues but the defensive blunders still prevail and if Wenger is looking to win a trophy he has to do away with the mediocracy in that department. Apart from that, Arsenal should have capitulated on opportunities such as when Clichy went for the goal with his weaker right foot( I don’t remember him scoring from distance) rather than crossing it for Chamakh who has already proved his “aerial” worth for them. Arshavin, though very dangerous while in possession, doesn’t contribute much when off it. On the other hand, Chelsea looked too strong, and on this form they look the potential champions.
