I almost felt like Russell Crowe when the final whistle blew, shouting ‘are you not entertained’ but by Jove it was a white knuckle ride. I joked with my sons at the end of the game online saying ‘now you know why I look so old’ – that’s what being an Arsenal fan does to you – and it’s amazing.
The result at White Hart Lane was still fresh in the memory as was the disaster at Molineux, that’s how it is when Arsenal are that close to reaching paradise, it’s tough love. I’ve only seen Arsenal get it over the line early a couple of times, 1997/98 and 2003/04, the rest have been nip and tuck. This season has nip and tuck written all over it – so prepare yourself.
The players needed the fans with them today, they needed the crowd to be strong and supportive even as the anxiety gnawed away at their composure. Even so during the game Arteta turned to the fans sitting behind him and asked them to calm down, it wasn’t an angry response by Mikel but a plea for them to stay with the players and support the team and to be fair they did just that.
The early exchanges seemed to point towards a Chelsea manager and staff that had worked really hard on how to not only stop Arsenal but also to show a different face to the one exhibited in the League Cup recently. To me it seemed as if Rosenior was keen to show that he can coach a team to take on Arsenal and in fairness they did all that.
On the 10th minute Sarr got free at a free kick and only a lack of technique stopped him from opening the scoring, although he was probably off-side. It was a warning that Arsenal by and large heeded during the rest of the 1st half. The damp surface saw a few players slipping and sliding but on the 15th minute Arsenal won possession as Chelsea pushed forward and Eze from the halfway line almost pulled off a spectacular finish but Sanchez got back. So close! Shame the officials missed the fact that the ball crossed the line and we should have had a corner.
Then, the opening goal on the 21st minute as Bakayo Saka drove a great cross towards the far post and Gabriel, despite Reiss James holding him, got to the far post and rose to head the ball back into the box where Saliba got in front of Gyokeres to head home. Up until then Eze had been on his game, linking play but maybe not getting that slice of space to turn a good build up into a shot on goal. He was linking up really well with the hard working duo of Gyokeres and Saka showing the possibilities of that partnership. Variety is the spice of life someone once said and I like this variety.
Then on 31 minutes Zubimendi inadvertently gave a suicide pass back to Raya, I don’t know what he was thinking but he has these in his locker during a game but Raya saved the day. Then on 33 minutes the industrious Trossard went on a lung busting run into the heart of the Chelsea backline and set up Eze who was loitering around the penalty spot but unfortunately Eze was quickly shut down and the opportunity was gone.
By the 39th minute I felt that the Gunners hadn’t quite made the most of their many attacking scenarios and that always leaves us vulnerable. We still aren’t ruthless enough or efficient enough in killing games off. On the 43rd minute Gyokeres again ran at the Chelsea defence and as he turned inside he was clipped and went down. Soft? Possibly. A penalty? I’ve seen them given against us – but Viktor doesn’t enjoy many positive decisions from referees. Then 4 minutes later in added time a Chelsea flurry of pressure saw them rewarded when a James corner drilled into the Arsenal box which was accidentally headed into his own net by Hincapie, a disaster for the Ecuadorean who was playing really well. Half-time 1-1
My internet connecting disappeared until just over the hour mark so with Martinelli on at 56 minutes for Trossard. The influence of Eze had lessened and I was looking to see Havertz come on for Ebbs as Chelsea pushed forward confidently.
Then another corner on 66 minutes and a Declan Rice belter into the box was headed home by Timber and despite a VAR review it stood and we had just over 25 minutes to hang on. On 70 minutes a Chelsea break saw a chasing Rice limping slightly (oh please no) but he continued until the 76th minute and was replaced by Norgaard. Havertz came on also, but for Gyokeres. Declan seemed ok at the end of play.
Neto, who had been booked minutes earlier then recklessly brought down Martinelli and the second yellow brought forth the red and off he went, moaning all the way. That’s now 7 red cards for Chelsea in the EPL, 9 in total – it’s a recurring disciplinary problem. A nice combination after a poor Sanchez clearance saw Saka put in Havertz but his effort was smothered. A few Chelsea players began going to ground easily and I did wondered if this was a ploy to even things up? On 80 another smart counter saw Eze again in on goal but his shot lacked a bit of zip and Sanchez saved. On 87 minutes with Arsenal game managing Caicedo had a drive that flew over the bar – it was a reminder!
6 minutes added time went up and Chelsea threw the kitchen sink at us, they were playing better with 10 men than when they had 11, I guess it’s all that practice. Arsenal needed that elusive 3rd goal then on 93 minutes Raya pulled off a great save from a corner. It was relentless then on 95 Chelsea thought they had it, Delap following up from another great Raya save stabbed the ball home but his celebrations choked in his throat as he saw the linesman’s flag raised – phew!
That was that, the final whistle saw Arteta inflict on Rosenior his first Premier League defeat. That’s three successive wins for Mikel over the new Chelsea boss, but there’s going to be a lot of these tense battles to come in future I reckon. I did wonder why with so much aerial threat towards the end of the game why Mikel didn’t bring on Calafiori and Mosquera to freshen up the defence and add some inches to it , but hey, that’s Mikel for ya.
We now go to Brighton in midweek for another titanic 90 minutes and….
We march on….
By Kev
Morning Kev, all.
Nice one Kev, thank you.
I hope we don’t see Rice on Wednesday, injured or not. Personally, I think we’re paying the price with him now for him playing so many minutes over the last seven months. I think his and Zubimendi’s minutes have been managed badly. Meanwhile, Norgaard, who is no Elneny etc, has been left on the sidelines.
Great result in the end. The ref was shocking, three total cockups when we were on the break but it stopped the game because of a foul. Any half decent ref would have played on and dealt with whatever needed dealing with afterwards. Especially the foul on Martinelli who as up on his feet and away.
Morning Rico, Kev and all,
I agree with you about Declan, Rico. He looked as if he was running on fumes just before he was subbed when he hoofed a ball out for a corner when there was no need to. Maybe, bench him at Brighton.
And put out the “2nd” team on the weekend against Mansfield!
Good morning to you both.
Tense, nervy and badly refereed. It was as if the pillock in black had be never heard of the advantage rule.
All the noise this morning coming from the media hacks is about set piece goals. Let me just say, I love em!😉
It was not a game for purists and in all fairness there is not a lot between the sides , it could have gone either way but fortunately it went ours. Personally I was surprised that the Rice elbow incident was not given as a penalty had it been the other way , I would have been screaming for it . I think however that it led to a break in concentration from the resulting corner and they scored.
The referee was bending over backwards to keep control and in his attempts to keep an even keel he made a number of errors and I would think that he would benefit from a refresher course on the advantage rule.
As Cicero succinctly puts it “3 points “and yes Kev , we do march on however just as there will always be games like this , we just have to hope that for our sanity not too many .
Lets just take the points and move on until Wednesday and go for 3 more.
Morning Anthony, Cicero.
I don’t think Arteta has a choice but to play a totally different eleven against Mansfield. IMO, he needs to make a few changes for Brighton too. Calafiori, MLS, Jesus, Odegaard, White, Madueke – they all need to be in contention imo.
Said the same to a friend of mine who was bleating on about the Rice incident. If it wasn’t a penalty for the handball it could easily have been given for Rice having his arms all over the Chelsea player. They scored from the corner so it balanced itself out. Mind you, the form Raya was in yesterday, he might have saved a penalty 😜
A different view on the Rice incident, yes he had an arm on the Chav’s shoulder but he then jumped forcing Rice’s arm up where the ball glanced off his shoulder. Verdict, inadvertent contact, no penalty.
Definitely a nail biting / white knuckled game for us fans and kept all of us on the edge of our seats. The atmosphere around the Emirates was definitely one of nervousness along with the belief that Arsenal could clinch the three points if they stayed switched on, which Raya definitely did do. What a hero!
We all knew that this game was not going to be a “walk in the park” with us looking to put a further three points ahead of MC and Chelsea looking to grab one of the top four spots. I did feel at times that Arsenal did make it difficult for themselves. Disappointed that I did not see Gyokeres and Eze perform as well as what they did at Tottenham.
BUT they won putting the pressure back on MC. Next stop Brighton. COYG!
Games like yesterday do my heart problems no good,we were hanging on the last few minutes,when the offside effort went in it was a real roller coaster.
At this stage 3 points is the only thing that matters,I love it that people hate us scoring set pieces,ignoring that others do,what they really hate is we are so good at them.
For Wednesday a few changes are needed,Havertz,Mosquera,Norgaard,Madueke,
maybe,for Mansfield rest Rice,Zubemendi for sure.
Kev says we’re in for more of this,it will all be worth it when we win.
Morning Gooners, morning Rico, yeah that ball was only two feet out of play Rico, I didn’t realise until MotD, shame that Eze didn’t quite put enough on it to score.
I agree, Rice needs to sit it out at Brighton, Norgaard will be just fine. As for Mansfield Town I expect to see almost a completely different XI with two or three academy lads on the bench.
Hopefully White and Odegaard will be fit!
I watched the game and then the highlights on MotD, the hacks can hack off, I’ll listen to the podcasts I usually listen to and that’ll do. The referee Darren England made a few contentious decisions but with corners developing into scrums I’m not sure we can blame him for that. I kinda enjoy the rumbustiousness at the corners, especially when we score. Everyone is fouling everyone else, what can the referee do?