After a rare one week gap since we assaulted Spurs, we’re back at the Emirates Stadium, and it’s the setting for another London Derby.
Not for the first time this season, the fixture list seems to be working against us, with all it’s might. We’re used to dealing with it, at this point… and I’m sure Chelsea will feel they have a point to prove, after playing us three times so far this season, and having zero wins to show for it.
Another colossal performance is required, in order for us to win this game. There’s no margin for error… and no errors will be tolerated, in our margins.
The Arsenal are on the back of escorting Tottenham, closer to the relegation door… with an emphatic 4-1 win.
The Blues are on the back of a draw at home to Burnley… but they’ll no doubt raise their game against us, and play out of their skins, in an attempt to spoil our party.
They’d love nothing more, than a win out of the blue.
The Gunners lined-up in the same way we did against Spurs… with Raya in goal, Hincapie at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba, central… and Timber at right-back.
Midfield was Rice, Zubimendi, and Eze… and the strike team was Trossard on the left, Gyokeres through the middle… and Saka on the right.
A raucous atmosphere, promised a game with incident… and the Gunners will need to keep cool heads, and not abandon our discipline. We cannot allow the Chelsea thuggery, to disrupt our methodical, and sometimes pragmatic, football.
The Gunners have an exemplary record in London Derbies, and have only lost 1 Derby, in the last 25 games. A proud record that we hope to continue.
We started the game at a pace that confused The Blues, and it was evident, they had no clues, as to how they’d stop us… and yet, they were very much involved in the game. They looked up for the fight, but early jitters from their goalkeeper Sanchez, put uncertainty in the players’ minds. He seemed determined to sabotage anything good that his teammates did, and I love him for that. (HAHAHAHA!!)
In the 21st minute Saka took a corner, that he swung in deep to the back post.
His ball was met by Gabriel, who ignored the grappling of his markers, and headed the ball back across goal… to an alert William Saliba.
Willow headed the ball home from close range, to make it 1-0 to The Arsenal!! It took a deflection on the way in, but who cares?!! I know Saliba doesn’t, as this was his first goal since early December 2024.
We had chances to increase our lead in the minutes that followed, but a combination of lacking a cutting edge in the final third, and Chelsea defending well… thwarted any designs we had, on doubling the tally.
Chelsea grew more into the game, and it was evident that our inability to kill them off, gave them encouragement… and in the 47th minute of the first half, their encouragement turned to jubilation.
The Blues were awarded a corner, and Reece James whipped a dangerous ball in, that missed everyone, except Hincapie. He glanced the ball into his own net, and made the scoreline 1-1.
A horrible goal to concede, and right on the stroke of half-time too. The price we pay for not killing teams off, is always one we cannot afford.
The first half ended 1-1, and we were OK at best. Much more effort, desire, footballing intelligence, and passing accuracy… needed in the second half.
Many of the “Big” players hadn’t shown up yet, and the Arsenal faithful were praying that they’d make an appearance.
The second half was scrappy in the early stages, with both teams giving the ball away cheaply. Chelsea started to gain the upper hand, and put us under extended periods of pressure, which we dealt with reasonably well.
I know it’s an old cliché, but the game was balanced on a knife-edge, and the edge was balanced on the edge, of the edge.
Arteta brought on Martinelli, for Trossard in the 56th minute, in an effort to tip the balance in our favour… and edge us closer to victory.
Cynical fouls were the desired commodity of the second half, and the referee was happy to make purchases… using yellow cards, as currency.
Clear cut chances, and the ability to create them, was a real struggle for us… and I wondered where, and how… our much needed winning goal, would come about.
The 66th minute brought my wondering to an abrupt end. We earned a corner, and Declan Rice & Peas, put an incredible ball into the box… with extra gravy… and the ball seemed to kiss Timber’s forehead tenderly, on it’s way into the net. A clever header from Timber, who took up a good position, and caused chaos with his movement. 2-1 to The Arsenal!!
Robert Sanchez, the hapless Chelsea goalkeeper… claimed to of been pushed, and wanted the goal disallowed. He’ll do everything, except admit his calamitous clownery… between the sticks. Other Chelsea protests followed… but they fell on deaf ears, as the goal was cleared by VAR… and Pedro Neto was booked, for not knowing when to shut-up. It’s so wonderful to see diiiiirrrty Chelsea suffer. (HAHAHA!)
Not long after receiving a booking, Pedro Neto brought down Martinelli with a clumsy challenge, in the 70th minute… after Martinelli made him look silly… with some good dribbling skills, and excellent ball control. The referee had no choice, but to send Neto off. Yet ANOTHER red card for The Blues, who seem to have a real discipline problem. Again… It’s wonderful to witness. I wish nothing but the worst, for Chelsea Football Club. (Insert shrug emoji here. HAHA!)
With the game now stretched, and Chelsea down to 10-men, Arteta made further changes in the 76th minute.
Norgaard replaced Declan Rice & Peas, and Havertz came on for Gyokeres.
We didn’t really let our extra man count, and Chelsea avoided further damage, as the minutes ticked away.
Eze came close with a decent shot, but it was saved by Sanchez. I guess he remembered how to be a goalkeeper again, for the briefest of moments. (HA!)
Unbeknownst to me, we struggled to keep the ball, and our passing got significantly worse, after Chelsea went down to 10-men.
Our attacking players were still yet to be seen, and because it was still only 2-1, I couldn’t relax. We needed another goal… and the moans, and groans of anxiousness, reverberating around the Emirates Stadium… wasn’t doing my heartrate any favours.
The Blues continued to push for an equaliser, and David Raya made a brilliant save, after a teasing cross from Garnacho.
Raya knew that the flight, and pace of the ball, could change with the slightest of touches, from a Chelsea player, or his own player… so he waited until the very last moment, to pull off a match-winning save.
It was very intelligent goalkeeping from David Raya, and he once again showed exceptional agility, as he has done all season. Truly, the epitome of “Safe hands”.
In the dying moments of the game, Delap put the ball into the Arsenal net, after a magnificent double-save from Raya. Thankfully though, Delap was offside.
The referee FINALLY blew the final whistle, and we won the game 2-1. A statement victory, considering it was against a good Chelsea team, and we didn’t play well at all.
A statement victory, considering it was our second London Derby in-a-row.
A statement victory, considering the immense pressure we were under to win this game.
We’ve played Chelsea 4 times this season, and have won 3 of those games, and drawn one.
They’ve been dominated, and I’m glad to see the back of them. We’re out of the blue. We’ve given them the blues, and we’ve beaten them… black & blue.
With Chelsea in the rearview, and their ashes still smouldering… we can turn our attentions to Brighton, who we face at the Amex. A tough game, and we’ll need to shine Bright-on them, to get all 3 points.
We won ugly against Chelsea, but are you concerned that our attacking players were so ineffective?
With Odegaard injured again, and Havertz back… would you play Havertz, or Eze, against Brighton?
Are you as bored as I am, with all the criticism The Arsenal face, over our set-piece brilliance?
Let me know in the comments as usual. COYG!!
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