Arsene Wenger rung the changes as we filed out to kickstart our hectic holiday programme. All of those four of those changes truly gave us a much-needed adrenalin shot that laid the foundation for this big, big win.
Back to the nine minutes that changed our season. Alex Song started it in the 44th minute when he began and completed a sweet move that involved him, Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshire and marginally, Cesc Fabregas. Song’s left footed shot into the corner of Petr Cech’s net was no less than we deseved after steadily revving up our control and domination of the match.
Eight minutes into the second half, it was game, set and match. Fabregas combined with Theo Walcott to first score the second and lay the third on for the marauding Englishman. Cue delirium at the Emirates as all Gooners must have been pinching themselves just to make sure they were really witnessing us stuffing the Chavs and leading them by three goals!
Ivanovic’s headed response brought us a bit back to our senses but we did a professional job all round and denied Chelsea up onto the final whistle.
 |
| Lift off time..Song leaps with ectasy after smashing the opener |
*Fabianski (6/10) – He was largely untroubled and despite facing the ‘dreaded’ Didier Drogba and the returning Frank Lampard, he endured a very hitchfree night. It must have been a measure of how well our tactics worked, because Fabianksi – apart from Ivanovic’s headed goal – hardly made any save of note all night. Nonetheless, it was clear that his confidence levels was much higher and we are now seeing a very different goslkeeper from last season’s nervous wreck.
* Clichy (6/10) – I witnessed for the first time what most fans have been bleating about all season long – Gael Clichy’s patchy form. He was caught out a few times with poor positioning and indecision. Thankfully, his mistakes didn’t prove costly as his co-defenders were up to their very best on the night. Clichy hasn’t suddenly become a bad player. Mehtinks its just a mental thing.
* Koscielny (7/10) – I still rate this guy very much inspite of all the barbs that have ben directed towards him in his very short Arsenal career. Critics seem to conveniently forget that he’s been with us for just five months. Last night though, he was ontop of his game and that largely involved keeping the feared Drogba quiet. Thankfully there was no fear in his approach to the task as he shackled Drogba comfortably and kept the big Ivorien under wraps all night. The only time Drogba managed to escape, he did it from a deadball, where he fed Branislav Ivanovic to head home a riposte in the 57th minute. All in all, Koscielny passed his big test in flying colours.
* Djourou (8/10) – The more I see of this bloke, the more I love him. He has truly emerged as a class act in defence for us this season. His huge, domineering presence works wonders and belies a sharpnes and high mental alertness. He bossed things at the back with panache and the adjectives are just endless in describing his performance. Personally, I see no reason why he shouldn’t be an automatic starter. He’s matured; he’s focused and I lost count of the number of headers, tackles and blocks he made all night. He particularly was the big reason why Fabianksi had so little to do in goal. Keep it up Johann.
* Sagna ((7/10) – Did his usual bit on the right side of defence. Handled anything Chelsea could conjure and pocketed his compatriot, the slippery Florent Malouda. Malouda’s 60th eventual substitution was a consequence of Sagna’s dominance of him as the Chelsea man was clearly not firing at all. Sagna’s overlapping runs also kept Ashley Cole in check and denied the Chelsea fullback any space for his trademark surge on th wings. Very steady work from Bacary.
* Wilshire (6/10) – Didn’t enjoy the latitude to showcase his repertoire of talents, but Jack wasn’t overawed either. Did his best on the night and never tired of running. Gave as good as he got.
* Song (8/10) – Did a yeoman’s job on the night. Apart from his goal, he ticked all the right boxes as he tackled, blocked and kept up a very high standard of play in the middle. It was nice to see that against the combined strength of Essien, Mikel Obi and later Ramires, Song wasn’t out of place at all. He has become very spinal and vital to the way we play. And for his goal? It was borne out of tenacity and it came at a very crucial time of the game, which forced Chelsea to come out of their shell in the second half. It won’t surprise me at all if he ends up with double figures at the end of the season. What a turnaround his game is going through!
*Fabregas (7/10) – El Capitan was in the mood last night and alot of the good stuff we did went through him. On such nights, he is almost unplayable and for someone so young , it is frightening and mindboggling what he will be at the apex of his game. What a fine player he is! What an astute leader of men! It was such a relief to see the smile back on his hairy face.
* Nasri (7/10) – Didn’t score this time, but he was a threat all night long. Never afraid of running at their defence and gave Ashley Cole, Ferreira and later Bosingwas a torrid time. Almost scored with a beautiful chip in the 40th minute which Cech had to stretch to punch clear. He will always be a good outlet for our attack for sure.
*Van Persie (5/10) – Led the attack in the absence of the rested Chamakh and it was good to see that we have options in the team when needed. Didn’t get any room to do his stuff but got involved a lot. It was also apparent to see why he gets injured so often as he still puts himself around recklessly and often needlessly. Hopefully he stays injury-free for rest of season. Hopefully.
* Walcott (8/10) – Along with Song and Fabregas, he was among our men of the match. Troubled the Chelsea defence with his running and bravado. Despite being marked by arguably the best left fullback in the world in Cole, he still skinned the Chelsea man to first set up Fabregas for the second goal and a minute later, scored a beauty himself. Full of goals already this season and he justified Wenger’s decision to start him.
Substitutes
• Chamakh (5/10) – Came on for Van Persie and held up our attack as the game petered out and Chelsea were throwing everything at our defence.
• Diaby (5/10) - Made his entrance to replace Walcott and almost scored as he got on to the end of fine, Wilshire pass. It was his first game in almost three months and as we head into a hectic period, his versatility will come in handy.
• Rosicky (5/10) – Replaced Fabregas and did nothing else expect hit the post late in injury time.
No comments:
Post a Comment