Merciless Arsenal blew Chelsea away last night in a dominant performance that put their opponents firmly in their place; and put Liverpool and Manchester City on notice that Arsenal are not going away quietly.
5-0 frankly understated the difference in class between a rampant Arsenal side, who have rediscovered their mojo following a difficult week, and a Chelsea side who, despite having spent obscene amounts of money over the past year or so, look many years away from being able to challenge for honours once more. But compare and contrast their FA Cup semi-final performance against Manchester City over the weekend - when they can probably count themselves as unlucky not to have gone through - to the manner in which Arsenal blew them away. And that surely cannot all be done to the fortuitous loss of Cole Palmer - by far away their best player - for this game due to illness.
Martin Odegaard will take most of the headlines. He produced a standout performance, leading by example; not merely showcasing his sublime skills and effortlessly linking the play, but once more leading the press, and constantly probing and pressing for weak spots in the Chelsea back line. Declan Rice, playing in the left 8 role, put in a typical ‘mere’ 8 out of 10 performance, but I’d like to specifically highlight the return of Thomas Partey to the starting XI and the fillip it gave to his team-mates.
The Ghanaian had looked a little off the pace in the few cameo performances that he’d been allowed by Mikel Arteta since his belated return from injury, but it was worth the wait. The perfect time for Arteta to drop him back in. He was everywhere - reading the play, putting in decisive tackles, making telling interceptions and producing his trademark vertical passes to the front 5. I’ve got nothing whatsoever against Jorginho, who can always been relied upon, but for me a fit and firing Partey adds an extra dimension to Arsenal’s play, and his return could not be more timely.
I’d mentioned in this blog a number of times earlier this season how much I had been looking forward to seeing a midfield trio of Partey, Rice and Odegaard in unison. For me, the security that Partey’s presence gives will enable both Rice and Odegaard to express themselves fully. The trio made the Chelsea midfield of Enzo, Caicedo and Gallagher - the first two named having cost Chelsea almost a quarter of a billion pounds in total! - look second rate. I had felt that Partey could give Arsenal an extra dimension, and the proof that I was correct was right there in front of our eyes.
Elsewhere, I’ll pick out a few other top performances. Leandro Trossard kept his starting spot over both Jesus and Martinelli, and did Trossard things; namely scoring yet again! That’s 10 in the league now. An early goal is always good for the nerves, of course.
Ben White had a superb game, not only doing well in defence, but continually supporting Odegaard and Saka and reaping his rewards with not just one, but two goals! The first a clever finish having made space for himself following a corner and the second… well, he’ll probably admit that he didn’t mean to find the far corner of the net with a lobbed effort; but who gives a monkey’s?
And Kai Havertz showed Chelsea what a happy and trusted Kai Havertz is capable of; leading the line well, linking with all around him and scoring two lovely goals. The first courtesy of a sublime through ball from Martin Odegaard (although he still had plenty to do) and the second following a clever wrong-footing of his marker before doing the same to the goalkeeper.
I love, by the way, that the official Chelsea Twitter feed couldn’t bring themselves to type the word ‘Havertz’. Salty…
I am, however, also going to have to point out a few things that didn’t go perfectly. It wasn’t all plain sailing. Firstly, after their fast start - when they ought to have already been out of sight at 2-0 or even 3-0 - Arsenal did let Chelsea back into the game for a while. Decent chances - better than half chances in fact - fell to Disasi and Jackson (twice). However, as any follower of the Premier League knows, Jackson couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo (so to speak). A winger who Poch has tried to convert to a centre forward; and it certainty hasn’t shown much sign of working so far. That Jackson was still on the field following a nasty challenge on Tomiyasu is something to ask the VAR, though.
Secondly, the afore-mentioned Jackson did at one point completely outpace William Saliba. Which was/is a concern. This is something we’re not used to seeing, and I for one don’t want to ever see it again. Fortunately, Gabriel dealt with the danger… just about.
And as far as any other concerns we may have had… well, there weren’t any. A fast start to the second half soon put Arsenal - 1-0 ahead at the break - out of sight. Chelsea had no answer whatsoever, frankly looked to have given up any sort of hope at 2-0, and at the end 5-0 almost flattered them. I think that we were all aware that they’re not very good, but there’s always that nagging doubt prior to any game. Thankfully, we could soon relax and stop worrying.
The matches are coming thick and fast now. Liverpool and City still to play in this round of matches as I type, but now 3 and 4 points behind respectively. So the pressure is sure to be on them. It’s always better to play first.
But Arsenal’s biggest remaining test comes at 2pm on Sunday. Yes, it’s the NLD. Tons at stake - even apart from the usual. Both sides are desperate for the points, and that lot are still holding out hopes of finishing fourth. And they’re desperate, of course. to stop Arsenal in their tracks.
At least two Spurs fans of my acquaintance are expecting us to ‘murder’ them. I hope they’re right, but I don’t share their confidence. Nonetheless, having gone into the Wolves game unhappy and having to dig out a result, then having followed that up with this emphatic victory, morale in the camp is surely as high as it can possibly be. For all that, it really is ‘squeaky bum time’, and not only is there still no room for error but we still need to see City slip up.
All Arsenal can do is win, win, and win again. Starting at the home of The Enemy. Can they do it? Of course they can! But it’s going to be a nerve-wracking few days before we find out.
Udogie’s absence will help - especially as that’s down our strong right hand side. But they’ll be well-rested; something that cannot be said for Arsenal, who have played three times since they last did.
Let’s hope that Arsenal can end their season once and for all, and that the fans can celebrate St Totteringham’s Day at their place.
COYG!
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