Cesc Fabregas and Chelsea bring the blues to Arsenal

Matchday #23

Arsenal vs Chelsea

It was strange for this game to have nothing really riding on it for Chelsea, except for pride of course. The wayward Champions have fallen from grace this season, but somehow despite being out of the race for the title and even outsiders for a forth place finish, this Chelsea side showed their muscle in a terrific performance against the Gunners.

Arsenal are in the thick of the action at the top of the table. They desperately required the three points to restore themselves back on the top of the table with 15 games to go. With many (I for one, am not) tipping them for the title, Wenger would have known a win against Chelsea, even this inexplicably poor Chelsea team, would have galvanised his side towards a first title since the 2003-2004 season. However Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas seemed determined not to gift any win so easily.

Much has been made of a rumoured lack of effort and commitment of the two Spanish internationals this year, nonetheless no one would question their fight on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates. Diego Costa was menacing, in a good way. Making darting runs that pulled the defence in all sort of directions, the striker looked up for it. So it came as no surprise in the 18th minute when a run behind the Arsenal defence forced last man and Arsenal defender Pep Metesacker into lunging for the ball. He missed the ball but not the man. Diego Costa fell to the floor leaving referee Mark Clattenburg no choice but to send the German World Cup winner off. Arsenal were down to ten men.

Chelsea had already looked to be getting the best of this high-flying Arsenal side, with the sending off affirming their dominance. Oliver Giroud was sacrificed to account for the hole in Arsenal’s defence, diminishing their attack and frustrating the Gunners’ fans and the player himself. A minute later and the Arsenal fans felt further frustration when their team went one-nil down thanks to Arsenal nemesis, Diego Costa. He had fully deserved his goal. Branislav Ivanovic whipped in a low cross for Diego Costa to sweep the ball in at the near post past former Chelsea player and legend, Petr Cech.

Against all the odds, Chelsea had taken the lead at the Emirates, and were worthy of the goal. The Blues minimised Arsenal’s attack reducing them to zero shots on target in the first half.

It was a strong Chelsea performance that continued in the second half and whilst Arsenal pressurised the Chelsea defence at times, leading to some hairy moments in the Blues’ defence, not many could argue against Chelsea’s lead. The Champions were beginning to look like a championship winning team. With chances in the death to finish the game off, Chelsea tentatively edged to a terrific win in North London.

A notable mention should be made for man of the match Cesc Fabregas. Booed by his former club’s fans, the ex-Arsenal captain displayed where his loyalties firmly now lay. Acting as a perfect puppetmaster, the Spaniard pulled the strings in the Chelsea midfield. It was no doubt his best performance this year. It is possible that he wanted to hush the boo boys or display what he can do especially considering his former side are way above Chelsea in the table. Whatever the reason, he was commanding; always looking forward to keep the tempo alive, making crucial tackles and interceptions in the middle of the park and exuding the confidence of a leader among his teammates, Cesc certainly looks to be getting back to his best.

Many a Chelsea fan would have been genuinely worried about what would have happened in this match had we shown up in the poor manner we have at so many times this season. Arsenal were firm favourties, though there seems to be a real roar emerging from this hurt Chelsea lion. The fight, passion and commitment to the cause on display at the Emirates was a delight to watch regardless of the scoreline. We finally looked like a compact and assured side capable of getting a big result. Guys Hiddink wished we had killed the game off, and was his only criticism of the team. That we didn’t add to the scoreline was unfortunate. However, it was a terrific performance filling Chelsea fans with renewed hope just before the Champions League returns later next month. If the Blues can demonstrate this sort of effort and commitment in the coming months, they could possibly get to the Champions League spots and maybe seriously challenge for the FA Cup and European Cup.

Whatever happens in the remainder of the season, Chelsea fans (myself included) will delight in the fact that despite our woeful year, we still managed to do the double over Arsenal. London is indeed Blue. KTBFFH.