Chelsea Vs Arsenal: Alex Wonderstrike and Drogba Masterclass Down Gunners

Arsenal travelled to Stamford Bridge and league leaders Chelsea with the hope of bridging the gap and proving that they are in fact title contenders. But once again, it was the same old story between these two London giants, pretty passes and clever movement were no match for the pure physical dominance of the Chelsea side.

Goals from Didier Drogba and Alex were enough to seal the points for the blue side of the capital, but this was no one sided affair; if a few chances fell the Gunner’s way, it may have been a very different story.

Within the first five minutes Arsenal could have opened the scoring as Bacary Sagna whipped in a cross for Morrocan striker Marouane Chamakh whose glancing header was deflected for a corner. It didn’t take long for the next chance of the game; because from the following corner Koscielny had an open header a metre out from the goal line, but managed to sky the ball over the bar by turning his back on the ball.

It was only early on, but it looked like it was going to be one of those days where Arsenal were going to made to rue their missed chances.

The Gunners were dominating possession and field territory, but there inability to adapt to a brick wall defensive line meant that for all their tricky passing and intricate footwork, there was no penetration. That’s not to say Arsenal didn’t have their chances to score.  The shots were raining down upon Petr Cech, but the Czech international was more than up to the challenge, repeatedly beating away anything that came near his goal, or threatened to come near his goal as he claimed corners and balls whipped in from the wings as if they were merely apples ripe for the plucking.

It took until the 39^th minute for the scoring to be opened as Drogba laid on an outrageous backheel to finish off a simple free-flowing move.

Essien won the ball back from Song (albeit fouling him quite obviously in the process) and quickly passed the ball to Ramires. The ball was then carried forward into an attacking position when Ramires pushed the ball into the path of Ashley Cole, whose final pass ran behind Drogba. But he was never going to be too fussed. Drogba spun 360 before coolly as you like backheeled the ball into Fabianski’s post to deflect in and take Drogba’s tally to 13 against the gunners in as many games.

Arsenal could’ve equalised as the first half came to a close, but Nasri’s outside the box effort rolled agonisingly past the outstretched hand of Cech, and unfortunately for Arsenal fans, past the post.

The second half began in the same way that the first had left off. Arsenal came out of the traps flying, controlling the ball and dominating field position. Despite their best efforts though, there was no way past the Chelsea backline.

As the game continued the defensive frailties started to show up, but not Chelsea’s frailties, only those the gunners have. Fifteen minutes after the break and Chelsea should have gone 2-0 up after Squillaci lingered on the ball for far too long at the back, and had Anelka not missed after rounding Fabianski, Chelsea may well have gone on to run up a cricket score.

Arsenal continued to press hard for the equaliser while Chelsea decided that they would soak up the pressure and try to hit the Gunners on the counter by leaving Anelka and Drogba way up the pitch.

It seemed that no matter what Arsenal tried, it just wasn’t going to be thier day. But it was going to be Chelsea’s.

Chelsea played the perfect game to combat Arsenal, because it would seem that Chelsea have figured out that to beat Arsenal, all they need to do is exert some physical pressures on the influential Gunners and then capitalise on the vulnerability that the players will then show.

In the 84^th minute the game was over as Alex thumped home a free kick worthy of Roberto Carlos. Unfortunately for the gunners there was absolutely nothing anyone could have done to stop the goal as the ball curved into and then away from Fabianski’s path.

It was not all bad news for the Gunners faithful though. Sure Chelsea is seven points clear, and sure Arsenal showed many of the defensive lapses that lead to dropped points against the lesser sides (West Bromwich Albion immediately spring to mind), but the performance of Lukasz Fabianski – despite conceding twice – was worthy of lifting a trophy.

There is no way that Lukasz can be faulted for either goal, as both were so audacious that they are unlikely to be repeated in the foreseeable future.

The young pole made a string of vital saves and was pivotal in keeping the match as a contest for the gunners, and what’s more, an Arsenal goalkeeper has had two quality performances in a row in two important games.

Fabianski’s reading of the crosses and corners played into his area was impeccable, the best display from an Arsenal goalkeeper in a long while, but there is still room for improvement from Lukasz as he needs to read through balls better and communicate with his centre-backs more.

All in all, the game was highly frustrating if you are an Arsenal supporter as they bombed opportunity after opportunity that should have been buried, whilst if you are a Chelsea supporter, the game was highly enjoyable and a testament to the simplicity and effectiveness of the game-plan that Chelsea have.

Neither side played a particularly good game of football, but Chelsea were able to make the most of a poor situation and come out the other side smiling with all three points and a four point lead in the table heading into the international break.