Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

A fast paced encounter with a largely unexpected, but deserved, outcome saw Wenger's side overcome, at least some of, their demons. Robin Van Persie was given the task of attacking Chelsea with Arshavin and Chamakh starting on the bench at the Emirates. With Frank Lampard, John Terry, Essien and Drogba all starting it was looking to be an uphill battle from the get go.

Chelsea were cynical to say the least and John Terry may well have been yellow carded first after wrestling with Robin van Persie on the halfway line. Van Persie failed to connect with a Walcott cross in a superb position, it seems Ivanovic done just enough to put the dutchman off.

 After numerous attempts including a well worked free kick by Nasri which Cech done well to hold onto, Arsenal did the unthinkable and took the lead through an unlikely source, Alex Song. The ball was knocked past the Chelsea defence by Wilshere into the feet of Cesc Fabregas who was taken down in the box and amongst the penalty shouts Song, without hesitation, smashed the ball past Petr Cech to put The Gunners ahead.

The Chelsea defence were as nervy as they've ever been, coupled with the fact that Arsenal are playing, and more importantly defending, as a unit and was not surprising that Arsenal were leading at half time.
 

 

Chelsea's luck did not change after the break, despite taking off Mikel for a more creative central player in Ramires, and they found themsleves 2-0 down. Robin Van Persie's good work in holding the ball up against John Terry paid off, with a bit of luck involved too; Essien chipped in to help his skipper out and inadertedly poked the ball behind the back four into space where it was met by Walcott who slid the ball to Fabregas to finish in front of an open goal.

Little than two minutes later Arsenal added to their lead. Some good work from Theo Walcott, nicking the ball from a doddling Malouda in his own half. Walcott finished, leaving Cech helpless and frustrated with his back four. Suddenly Chelsea were seeing stars and found themselves 3-0 down at the Emirates.

Chelsea made another change, this time Kakuta on for Malouda. Just as Arsenal were getting used to a three goal cushion Chelsea narrowed it down to a two goal lead. Branislav Ivanovic headed home a Didier Drogba cross. A sloppy goal for Arsenal to concede and small questions about the 'keeper's decision making as it looked like Fabianski considered coming to claim the ball and stopped halfway leaving himself off his line and at a disadvantage.


Arsenal made their first substitution of the evening just after 70 minutes taking off the inspired Theo Walcott and replacing him with Abou Diaby as well as Chamack getting a run out for Robin van Persie who had his first really good game since the start of the season. Van Persie flourished as a forward creative player, made possible by the hard work of his wingers and willingness of Fabregas and Wilshere to get forward.

Chelsea had a goal not given for offside; a free kick which resulted in a scramble in the box which saw a blocked shot from Drogba then a rebounded goal for Kalou which hit the post and bounced in off Fabianski's back but the linesman saved his blushes as the clocked ticked 90.

The game finished 3-1 leaving Chelsea with 3 points from a possible 18. Arsenal move up to second place but today was a victory for the Gunners' mentality, tonight's win was more than just three points for Arsenal.

Teams:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Djourou, Koscielny, Sagna, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas, Walcott, Nasri, Van Persie. Subs: Szczesny, Chamakh, Bendtner, Diaby, Rosicky, Squillaci, Diaby.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Ferreira, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba. Subs: Turnbull, Kakuta, Ramires, Van Aanholt, McEachran, Bosingwa, Bruma.

Man of the Match: Theo Walcott