I think we all needed that

 

Arsenal 3 Chelsea 1

Premier League
Saturday 26th December 2020 5.30pm 

Well, well, well. Laca, Xhaka and Saka – I think you’d have got long odds on those three all scoring in the same game, and probably long odds on Granit Xhaka scoring in any game, but after a horrid sequence during November and December, with only a sprinkling of Europa League wins against relative no-marks, Arsenal won their first Premier League match since Old Trafford back on the 1st November. Seven winless fixtures later, and hopes were not exactly high amongst Gooners who probably thought that the festive period might be just the right time for a two week winter break (an idea I am guessing has been shelved this season?)

But football can surprise, and perhaps the most significant news of the day was that Willian and David Luiz both felt unwell, although neither had tested positive for COVID. Gabriel was a less welcome absentee, after having been in contact with somebody who had tested positive, even if the Brazilian had not. Without getting into politics, there are vulnerable people who need to be protected from contact with the outside world – although why this isn’t the case every winter with pneumonia is another question. Old people sometimes die from catching a virus because their immune system isn’t what it used to be. And the death statistics this year are no higher than previous ones. Would they be worse if we were not taking all these precautions? Discuss. That’s saved me going down to Speakers’ Corner. However, has one professional football player as yet died of the virus? 

One upside of Willian’s absence was that Mikel Arteta was able to select both Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe in his attack. Add to the mix Bukayo Saka and we had some seriously talented youth on the pitch to support Alex Lacazette – who benefited from the greater movement around him. Compare the desire shown by the younger players with that of the pedestrian Willian (going through the motions) and Pepe (percentage performer who will not give you consistency and hits the mark all too rarely). Both acquisitions that you just know are never going to work out. 

Arsenal played a back four and took the game to Chelsea with the aggression of full backs Tierney and Bellerin. Pablo Mari partnered the excellent Rob Holding, and looked a little rusty, but that’s understandable and he should improve with further matches. Grant Xhaka returned after his suspension to partner Elneny. There was an argument for Ceballos to provide more drive, but given the adventurous style of the full backs in what was a back four, the more conservative qualities of the selected midfielders provided balance, and but for the crossbar, both could have ended up on the scoresheet. 

I was surprised by Chelsea’s performance. With the chance of going second in the table with a win, they were simply not at the races. It felt lacklustre and almost as if Frank Lampard is having the same problems as Mikel Arteta in motivating a highly paid squad. He certainly missed a trick not playing Olivier Giroud in my view. Tierney’s endeavor, assisted by an excellent pass from Xhaka earned the penalty that put Arsenal ahead in a league match for the first time since that win at Old Trafford eight weeks ago. And they capitalized from that with another dead ball goal – this time from a free-kick sumptuously dispatched by Xhaka. A two goal cushion going into the second half. It couldn’t last… could it?

Frank Lampard did make two half time switches and Chelsea picked up a little, although attempts on target were not happening for the visitors. Bukayo Saka scored a wonder goal with his right foot - which I think was the giveaway regarding his intent as he’d have struck it with his left if he intended to shoot. Who cares? Arsenal were making runs off the ball, dragging Chelsea’s players around and creating space in attacking areas. Simple stuff on one level, but so rarely seen this season. Smith Rowe was replaced by Joe Willock who worked tirelessly to ensure his side retained their advantage. You have to say that it was the introduction of more young blood, aided by appropriate commitment from more senior players, which made Arsenal look like a different team. Chelsea had no answer to their attacks down the flanks, which does once more raise the question of how much of a reader of the game Frank Lampard is. What was a huge surprise is how little danger they fashioned given their investment in attacking players with huge reputations. 

Arsenal could have been out of sight with several decent chances before Chelsea did pull one back, and the award of a penalty just into injury time would have sent jitters through Gooners watching at home. We had another collector’s item to add to the Xhaka goal in the form of Bernd Leno actually saving a penalty. Interestingly, I don’t think he committed to going either way before Jorginho struck the ball. Relief and Chelsea’s last chance of a draw realistically gone, even with five minutes’ injury time. 

It was a spirited display with far greater commitment and creativity than we have seen from far more experienced Arsenal line-ups in recent weeks. Arteta must stick with the kids for now. If he is worried about running them into the ground, take them off after 65 minutes, but I really cannot see an argument for starting either of Willian or Pepe in front of Martinelli or Saka. Give these youngsters their head and we have the basis of a decent eleven. Smith Rowe is worth a run too, assuming the formation remains as a 4-2-1-3 to accommodate him.

It is only one result, and consistency needs to follow. The run of matches to come do offer the opportunity to do that. At least there is a chink of light now, a slither of hope. How much Arteta rotates could be the key to a successful January. Will he have learned the lessons from yesterday’s game? To pick the players that are going to create problems and ask questions of the opposition? He needs to, or more dropped points will surely follow. 

To be notified when there is fresh content on my blog (generally the day after matches), follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/KevinWhitcher01