Same old Arsenal

Another game at Stamford Bridge and another defeat, déjà vu was once again in the air. Beaten 2-0, the game was almost a carbon copy of the game last February where we huffed and puffed, dominated possession for most of the 90 minutes but still came away with nothing. That’s not to say that we haven’t progressed since last season, there is no doubt that we are a better team but we just lack that killer instinct in the final third. Considering the players we had missing it’s hard to be too harsh on the lads and sometimes we just have to accept that we were beaten by a better team. I know it’s said time and time again but if Drogba was in our side yesterday then I have no doubt that we would have run out worthy winners.

The first goal was always going to be vital and after two minutes we really should have had it – quite how Koscielny failed to head in from a few yards is beyond me and it was clear in Wenger’s post match interview that this was a source of major frustration to him. We were doing okay for the first thirty minutes, one Drogba chance aside the centre backs were coping well with the Chelsea threat. We were looking dangerous going forward, Arshavin had a few shots well saved and I thought that if we could get to half time without conceding then we would have a chance. The goal was disappointing, Nasri switched off and allowed Cole to get away from him and then Drogba did the inevitable and scored his 13^th goal in 13 games against us. Once that goal went in, it was fairly obvious that Chelsea would sit back, defend solidly and try and catch us on the break. Although we had plenty of possession in the second half, we never really looked like scoring, against an excellent back line; this was where the absence of Fabregas was all too evident. Whether the game would have turned out differently if the little genius was on the pitch is open to debate but the fact is that when we needed that little bit of extra composure and the ability to pick out a final ball, we just simply didn’t have it.

Having thrown JET on for his debut we had to big strikers up front so I was hopeful that we could nick an equaliser but the second goal came shortly after and the game was over. Nasri played a ball straight to Drogba and Koscielny had no choice but to bring him down, at the time I thought it was a sensible decision and worth taking a yellow for. You have to say it was a wonderful free kick from Alex, even though the wall parted like the red sea; I can’t blame them, as if I saw that ball coming towards me the instinct to avoid it would have been far too strong. Whilst the score flattered Chelsea somewhat, the deficiencies in our squad were there for all to see, Arsenal just simply cannot win when we don’t have Fabregas and one wonders what things will be like when he isn’t there permanently.

In goal, apart from one strange attempt to catch a cross, Fabianski played well and looked solid. Basing my judgement on his last two performances I think he should remain in goal when Almunia is fit to return. The centre backs had a difficult day, Squillaci almost gifting Anelka a goal and Koscielny being easily out muscled by Drogba, but on the whole I thought they did okay and they’ll take comfort in the fact that they don’t have to face Chelsea every week. The real plus for me was the performance of Jack Wilshere, as I have said on countless occasions, I prefer to see Jack as the deepest lying midfielder and that’s exactly where he played yesterday. The young lad was composed on the ball and I thought he was our best player; the 18 year old did himself proud especially considering who he was up against. Once again Arshavin went from the sublime to the ridiculous, he gives the ball away so cheaply mainly because he is lazy and has a rather inflated opinion of himself. It’s time for Wenger to flex his muscles and put the Russian on the bench for the next few games and give Rosicky a chance in his place. Chamakh didn’t have a great game but it’s hard when you’re not getting the service but he put in the effort which is the main thing.

So 7 points behind Chelsea already, whilst it’s still early one can’t help but wonder if we are out of the title race already. With our next away game being at Manchester City, it’s crucial that we beat Birmingham after the international break or things could get very worrying indeed.

It’s not all doom and gloom though…at least we don’t support Liverpool!