Joe Cole Made to Eat His Words As "Average" Arsenal Beat Chelsea at the Bridge

Arsenal are really putting their many fans through a range of emotions this season.

Over the last few weeks it has gone a bit like this:

Beat West Ham, draw with Spurs, lose to Stoke, draw with Fenerbahce, beat Manchester United, beat Wigan, lose to Aston Villa, lose to Manchester City, beat Dynamo Kiev and today beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Personally I thought Arsenal would sneak a win here—the dreamer in me was hoping it would be a 1-0 to Arsenal with William Gallas getting the winner—and we did.

Today in an Irish "newspaper" that I will not name as I am ashamed to say I even read it, stated that Arsenal would be walked over by Chelsea, that Arsene Wenger will finally get his comeuppance for "Project Youth" and to tune into Sky Sports today as they would be showing the cremation of the Arsenal ruins. Apparently the Gunners were heading for mid-table mediocrity.

Now don't get me wrong, this victory gives Arsenal, Wenger and the fans a welcome boost but the problems are still there—the majority of Gooners aren't delusional, we saw what happened after the United victory.

However, what this Irish sports "journalist" and so many others didn't take into account was Chelsea's current form—they were all too busy having a laugh at Arsenal and a go at Wenger.

I have seen Chelsea over the last few weeks and they didn't really put the fear of God into me as an Arsenal fan no matter what names they have on their team sheet.

Yes they have had some big victories—Sunderland, Middlesborough and Hull—but that does not disguise the fact that they are not playing well. In recent weeks they have been defeated by Roma and Burnley, drawn with Newcastle and Bordeaux and now lost to Arsenal at home.

Roma beat them quite easily, they could not break down a stubborn Newcastle and by all accounts were lucky not to be defeated by a plucky Bordeaux.

So Chelsea have dropped premiership points, got knocked out of the Carling Cup and are the only English team yet to ensure qualification to the next round of the Champions League (although I am certain they will) and all I heard all weekend was how EASY it would be for them to beat Arsenal and extend their lead at the top of the table.

When Arsenal were down the media decided to kick them a little more, making fun of the fact that William Gallas had an outspoken outburst at his teammates. Then to poke fun at Wenger some stated that he had to grovel to Gallas to play as he was so short of central defenders. Oh and the beloved tabloids stated Arsenal fans were a bit odd in not booing him off the field against Kiev.

The thing is, Arsenal fans didn't boo Gallas because most are aware that what he said is true, it is just the way he went about it was all wrong—I suspect his manager thinks the very same.

Anyway Gallas did a fine job for Arsenal today and organised his defence better than when he was captain—not bad for the man causing "trouble" at his club. Strange thing is the man causing all the trouble at Stamford Bridge couldn't rectify his wrongs as he was too busy sitting a match ban—made me smile as Drogba always does well against Arsenal.

Joe Cole stated that "In fairness to Arsenal, they are playing nice football but look at the past four years and who's won the trophies?"

Well Joe, there was no fancy football by Arsenal today and while we may have no trophies we do have three extra points that we didn't have at 4 p.m. GMT. Besides I'm sure you have something better to do with your time, like watch I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Arsenal were not at their best today.

Chelsea were in charge for the first half and the beginning of the second half. Then two strikes from Robin Van Persie in the space of three minutes put the Gooners in front and from then Arsenal never looked threatened by the home team.

There were doubts as to whether Van Persie was offside for the equaliser but every Arsenal fan will take a bit of luck when it comes their way.

So Arsenal get back into the top four and offer Liverpool the chance to go clear at the top of the table if they can beat West Ham tomorrow.

It was not a classy display Arsenal fans have come accustomed to under Arsene Wenger but a win is a win is a win and on a day that Cristiano Ronaldo gets sent off because he is afraid the football may dirty his beautifully plucked eyebrows, this Arsenal fan will go to sleep happy.