Arteta's tactics dominate Chelsea and old boy Auba at the Bridge to regain first place in the table

Chelsea 0 Arsenal 1 
Premier League 
Sunday 6th October 2022 12 noon   

This certainly felt like a statement win, in the context of a so far remarkable season. Arsenal had won on their previous two trips to Stamford Bridge, but those victories ultimately didn’t count for much. The hope, and for many the belief, is that today’s three points will count for so much more. 

One highly encouraging aspect of the performance was how – against a regular Champions League side on their own turf – Arsenal suffocated their opposition, compressing the play and forcing Chelsea down alleys where they struggled to maintain possession. Granted, Graham Potter’s side had a number of defensive players out injured, but that fact has to be countered with the reality that they have been able to purchase a squad that runs far deeper than Arsenal have been able to afford. 

Tomiyasu’s injury as a sub against FC Zurich meant one change was inevitable, although the return to fitness of Zinchenko meant that Kieran Tierney was a substitute. The Unkrainian added fluency to Arsenal’s play and you can’t imagine he will not be the first choice as long as he remains fit. Former Gunners’ captain Aubameyang would have been familiar with most of the players he was facing, although he didn’t get the service he would have wanted, and his presence was largely peripheral until his withdrawal in the aftermath of the winning goal. 

A lot of Arsenal’s build up play was a delight to behold, as the seemed to create space and time in bringing the ball forward. Zinchenko adding to the pace and forward drive, combining well with Partey in the centre. On chances the visitors looked the more likely winners, as Chelsea – although hinting at danger on the break – largely failed with their final ball going astray. 

The best chance of the half was a header that Jesus failed to find the target with, although his all round game was a big part of this win. As long as the team is winning, it doesn’t matter where the goals are coming from, and given the team’s defending starts in the opposition penalty area with a heavy press, the manager will be perfectly content. It was notable that when Arsenal had the ball, Jesus would often be on the left side of the attack, swapping with Martinelli. Their movement made it harder for the Chelsea defenders. 

The chances came and went, but you felt eventually, one had to go in. In the end, a goal came after the pressing had forced a corner, which Saka took. It went straight through everyone and would have gone directly in, but Gabriel was taking no chances and got a foot on the ball to put it over the line. Just over an hour of the match had been played and it became a question of whether or not the visitors could either make the game more comfortable or simply preserve their lead.

Fortunately they didn’t require another goal, although they created enough opportunities to double their advantage, and had a decent shout for a penalty after Cucerella blocked the ball with his arm on the edge of the area. 

Defensively, Arsenal were composed and in control, with Saliba especially notable for his authority, even if the broadcasters decided that Gabriel was the man of the match. Both were excellent, as was Ben White. Tierney came on to give Zinchenko a rest and increase the defensive solidity for the closing section of the game, followed by Elneny replacing Odegaard even later. Holding for Martinelli in injury time was partly to eat the clock, although extra time was added on for a Xhaka fracas after 90 minutes, which started when he tried to prevent Chalobah returning the ball to the keeper for a goal-kick. It broke up any attempt at momentum and although it isn’t pretty, demonstrated the increasing street smart aspect of Arteta’s players, which reflects what we have seen for decades in Spain and more recently in the Premier League. It’s tactical, it’s ugly and it’s effective. 

Xhaka could have been booked, but for reasons unknown Michael Oliver decided to let it go. At least he isn’t getting sent off these days. The story of this game though was general suffocation of Chelsea by Arsenal. It returned the Gunners to the top of the table, and if they can match or better Manchester City’s result next weekend (City host Brentford) when they play at Wolves, they will enter the World Cup break as leaders after 14 games. 

There are people talking about Arsenal at title challengers, and I can understand that, but although you cannot argue with how impressive they have been so far this season, it’s acknowledged that the squad is thin, and that even buying a couple of players in January will probably be enough to hold off a Manchester City side that can be rested and rotated without the drop-off in quality that Mikel Arteta has to deal with. What matters at this stage is simply racking up as many points as possible to lay the platform that ensures they don’t blow a top four place. The club need to be back in the Champions League for financial reasons, and to attract more top players in the future. 

As it stands, they have an excellent first eleven that have shown they can get results home and away, regardless of the opposition, and that is credit to the manager and the last couple of summer transfer windows. The culture at the club seems to have shifted as Arteta has moved on players less committed to his methods, and it would have been interesting to hear Aubameyang’s view on Arsenal 2022-23. 

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