As usual, Chelsea started the game slowly, and also as usual, Arsenal came out of the blocks with great drive and effort. But we survived that early pressure, which featured at least one tremendous intervention from Thiago Silva, and gradually made it a more even contest.
But the visitors were the better of the two teams in a game of poor quality, and Gabriel Jesus missed a great chance to reflect that on the scoreboard as well. At the other end, Chelsea’s rare forays forward generally ended in wayward passing or poor decision-making.
It was more of the same in the second half, before Arsenal took the lead shortly after the hour mark thanks to some horrendous defending at a corner.
Chelsea’s response to going back… was no response at all. Very tame, all told.
carefree
- Three changes in midweek, with Cucurella for the injured Chilwell, RLC for Zakaria and Silva for a presumably not-quite-fit Koulibaly. Definitely a back four, say 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-3, but Sterling stayed on the right quite statically. Mount and Havertz in loose, deeper and further forward roles, respectively.
- It can be said that the tactical plan did not work very effectively, if at all. Small signs of the supposed boost in confidence from the midweek win, though plenty of signs of fatigue and lack of effort.
- Chelsea are still looking for our first win against Arsenal at the Bridge since 2018.
- Arsenal are back at the top of the league. Chelsea have dropped to seventh, level on points with Brighton, but below on goal difference. Ironic, that.
- Next: Manchester City in the third round of the League Cup
- KTBFFH
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