The Drog Strikes Again

By dixon9
October 4 2010

Chelsea supporters were very pleased that it was business as usual at the Bridge against Arsenal yesterday. The tried and tested format and tactics normally used against them could be repeated as Wenger - either through stubbornness or dignity and faith - only has one way of approaching a match.

What about the goals though?!

That aside, this match should be remembered for two of the best goals that you will see this season (although I somehow doubt the media will give them the recognition they deserve!); the first, from an outrageously skilful finish by Drogba, and the second, from what can only be described as a guided missile launched by Alex.

Drogba´s 39^th minute opener came after possible man of the match Ramires dispossessed Arsenal in the midfield.  The Brazilian made an exquisite pass out to Cole whose hard and low cross found the onrushing Drogba.  The Ivorian found Cole´s serving slightly behind him but ate it up by simultaneously pirouetting and back-heeling the ball off the near post into the net.

The second from Alex came from a free-kick some 25 yards out.  It was a distance that could have meant it was Drogba´s or Alex’s.  Both lined up to take it.  Drogba was the first to run forward only to leave the way clear for the Brazilian to charge towards the ball like a bull at a red rag before unleashing his howitzer into the top corner.  Everyone had been so preoccupied over who was going to take the free-kick (including, I assume, the Arsenal wall) that they had forgotten about Malouda inbetween them and the frenchman peeled off and left a space for the wake of a probably by now, bent-out-of-shape football.

It was a training move – and not a sophisticated one at that.  Wenger will almost certainly (but perhaps privately!) be thoroughly irritated at his charges lack of foresight and discipline.

A little less conversation, a little more action

There was plenty of movement and spells of possession by the away side but little cutting edge.  There were some moments when they had opportunities to execute a dagger thrust but the bearer would inevitably fail to hit a vital organ.

Arsenal started brightly and SHOULD have been one goal up in the 2^nd minute when Koscielny nodded the ball over when it would have been easier to score.  The north London side’s initial verve petered out and the game soon took on the cut and thrust of a London derby.

In the 2^nd half, at 1 up Chelsea could hold back.  A rock solid defence would hold off the scampering attackers encircling the box at arms length before hitting their opponents on the break.  The tactic had its merit, alarmingly exposing Arsenal´s rapidly increasing higher and thinner line.

Missed chances

Drogba could have had a penalty - ironically for a much worse version of the tackle that Wenger complained about by Ramires before our first goal - but it was the sort of tackle that the referee gives easily if it happens in the centre-circle yet wheels away, wagging his finger if it happens in the penalty box.  Us football fans have grown to accept this.

Anelka fluffed his lines after going through one-on-one as did Essien, and Cole lashed in a shot from the left only to be given a border-line offside decision against him (you can only begin to imagine the rock salt rubbed into the Arsenal wound if both ex-players would have scored!).

Cech had to make one save; tipping away a superb Arshavin drive and Chamakh missed a headed chance in the 80^th. 

Arsenal fans will point to their chances as “progress” against what has become the Chelsea/Drogba curse, whilst a rewind of the match would probably denote that it could have been 5-2.  They will also proffer the defence of Fabregas´s absence – we could counter with that of Lampard.

Arsenal’s essential problem was neatly summed up by Seedorf during Match of the Day:  “Not the right anger”.

Has Arnesen got it right with Ramires?

I’ve already mentioned Ramires´s contribution, but I’d like to add that our summer signing is showing very encouraging signs of his future importance. Despite being slight in build he possesses a tireless engine and this is surprisingly combined with a deft touch.  No doubt the pace of the Premier League will catch him out now and again during his “running-in” period but I’m looking forward to seeing the player he will be, starting with, say, the final third of this season’s campaign.  He appears to be a lighter version of Essien – that can pass.

Make hay…

Did I say it was business as usual against Arsenal?  I probably did.  The north Londoners have had their epoch’s of historical dominance over us as we have had over them (during the late 50´s and 60´s) but let’s enjoy this one - and long may it last.

Groundhog Day: Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 04/10/2010 20:41

50 Years Over 100 Years
04/10/2010 20:41

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goonergerry
05/10/2010 07:50

Not a bad post-for a Chelsea site- you are getting more reasonable- you were lucky not to concede in this game - but I have to say you are right- the way Wenger sets this team up plays right into your forwards hands. One day you will play a fully fit Arsenal team- and its Van Persie who makes the difference to us more than Fabregas-then we might see a game- until then its same old- men against boys.

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dixon9
05/10/2010 16:13

I´m pretty sure we´ve played you before with RVP on the pitch...and we´ve often had our fair share of injuries.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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Since 66
07/10/2010 10:04

tbh I didnt get full value of the game watching it on live stream. Where I am staying is a backwater - comms havent caught up yet.

For a lot of the game Arsenal did the same as Citeh, hunting us down like a pack of dogs until we scored.

Ramires showed his value in the making of the goal. First the tackle then the pass out to Ash

Arsenal did give me the jitters at times with their approach play but other than Cech's super save from Arshavin they havent got the cutting edge.

Alex's free-kick. Havent we seen that before?

As RVP didnt he score twice in a few mins at The Bridge the last time Arsenal beat us? And wasnt the first offside?

FROM PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA at some ridiculous early hour



Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

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