Chelsea’s Eden Hazard scored a memorable goal as Chelsea moved a step closer to reclaiming their Premier League title with an inspired and consummate display against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte’s Blues led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Marcos Alonso’s header, however, it was Belgian international superstar Eden Hazard who stole the show at Stamford Bridge with a stupendous and stunning solo goal to put some much deserved daylight between the two London clubs. Hazard glided past three players during a run that started in his own half before dazzling Laurent Koscielny unto his back-side and beating Petr Cech to score a goal worthy of winning the Premier League title. Hazard’s brilliance occurred before former Chelsea goalkeeper Cech gifted former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas with his first goal against his former side since leaving the club.
The visitors managed a late consolation goal through Olivier Giroud’s header, with Chelsea now nine points clear of their London rivals.
There is no doubting Chelsea’s brilliance and masterclass performance under Antonio Conte, but this match highlighted a number of problems and issues Arsene Wenger must face and address as Arsenal’s season is in massive danger of faltering dramatically. This defeat means Arsenal have now lost four of their past nine Premier League games, the same number that they had lost in their previous 35 in the competition. With Manchester United now creeping up behind them and Manchester City overtaking them into 3rd place with their last gasp win over Swansea, this maybe Arsenal’s first time in over a decade on missing out on a Champion League spot.
Arsenal’s defeat to Chelsea plainly highlighted the tactical naivety shown by Arsene Wenger especially in the big games this season. Wenger is still refusing to adapt his game plan; on a number of occasions during the defeat to Chelsea, players such as Hazard were given so much freedom on the ball due to the lack of desire and pressing from the Arsenal players. Wenger could be paying the price for not paying attention to these small details on the opposition, he certainly did at Stamford Bridge.
“Here they give us much more information than they do at Arsenal, definitely. At Arsenal we don’t really look at anything from the other team, we look at ourselves and that’s it. Here, maybe two to three days before the game, we start looking at some videos, we know more or less the starting eleven that is going to play… we know nearly everything about them.”
Cesc Fabregas was speaking in 2010 about the Spain side which on to dramatically win the World Cup that summer. His words no doubt apply to Chelsea also. It was Fabregas who came off the bench to chip his old team-mate Petr Cech in the 3-1 victory on Saturday and underline the gulf in class between the two sides. when it really matters most.
Antonio Conte – in stark contrast to Arsene Wenger – obsesses over his teams tactics. A trait previously backed up by Conte’s former team-mate at Juventus and great friend Fabrizio Ravanelli who stated on Sky Sports that Conte spends hours studying videos of his opponents before a game. Goalkeeper Thibaut Cortouis admits that it is not the best part of training but goes on to saying that it is indeed a valid part of preparation especially for a game of such magnitude like the Chelsea-Arsenal rivalry.
In contrast, their cross-city rivals looked like a side who did not do their homework. Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville stated:
“Have Arsenal been bad? No, However, it just feels like the same. Not strong enough, not resilient enough, not powerful enough and not good enough ultimately to compete in a match of this nature in an important part of the season when they can apply a bit of pressure to their close rivals. They have fallen well short.”
Certainly, we could fully agree with Gary Neville’s analysis of Arsenal on Saturday. On numerous occasions over the past few seasons, Arsenal’s mentality to mount a serious title challenge have been called into question. Wenger’s men could not live the compactness, power, flair and resilience of Chelsea; they were outmuscled in almost every department and apart of that is plainly down to their tactical deficiencies. It was striking at Stamford Bridge. Forget about the result at Old Trafford back in November, it was the same story in that game, Arsenal just could not live with the power and pressure put on by United, they found themselves incredibly fortunate not to have lost that which would have been had it not been for United’s frailties in converting their chances.
With all the will in the world Hector Bellerin could not out jump and overcome the tenacity and desire of Marcos Alonso as he beat him to the header that put Chelsea in front – especially when receiving an elbow to the face – but why was the full-back all on his own? Why was he allowed to wander unmarked inside the penalty area in the first place? Theo Walcott – having identified the danger of Alonso at his side view – still did not alert to the danger and was left to rue his defensive mistake.
There were two instances during the game that highlighted the difference in class and commitment between the two sides. Danny Welbeck who was a second-half substitute trying to bring Arsenal back into the game looked like he had the run of Nemanja Matic to start a counter attack only for him to be chalked down by the Serbian – a tactical foul as we would refer to it. In contrast, why didn’t Francis Coquelin do the same to Eden Hazard? The Frenchmen knew the danger Hazard posed to his defence yet he did not deal with it like Matic did Welbeck. These two instances is thoroughly backed up by Neville’s analysis, Arsenal lack the desire and commitment to win a game of this magnitude let alone the Premier League title. While N’golo Kante and Matic were instructed to stop counter attacks at every opportunity while for Arsenal, it almost appeared optional. Is this down to the tactical naivety of Wenger – focusing solely on his own team while ignoring the threats of the opposition in his preparation?
Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports
“ The opposite of that is what Arsenal have done. I don’t want to take away the beauty of the Hazard goal but Coquelin has to stop that counter attack one way or another even if he pulls him down and takes the booking for the team. I think that shows the naivety in a nutshell.”
Players were not tracked, and it was far too easy for Pedro and Hazard – allowed to pick up pockets of space to run into – as we’ve seen this season, if you allow them space like Arsenal did, they will punish you. Pedro had more touches than any other player in the first-half, and Hazard had one fewer. Arsenal had the possession but time and time again Chelsea were allowed the space and opportunity to break at speed.
Neither Bellerin’s replacement Gabriel of Nacho Monreal carried out their full-back duties to full-effect, both full backs attacked together which left Arsenal exposed on the wings, Eden Hazard and Pedro constantly lied in wait to pick out their opportunities. Again the naivety of Wenger’s tactics was punished. Arsenal had not learned their lesson from the defeat at Watford where they again could live with the pressure and power of the Watford attack.
It is the sort of naivety that means will be missing out on the Premier League title for the thirteenth successive season. The sort of naivety that stems from the top and for which Arsene Wenger must surely now shudder the responsibility. The necessary tactical adjustments are just not being looked at in the Arsenal camp. Antonio Conte, who suffered the embarrassment of a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates in the reverse fixture used that loss as a lesson and springboard for the season as he took action and changed the tactics and the dynamic of the team – a 3-4-3 formation that is bringing the best of the likes of Hazard, Azpilicueta, Victor Moses and Pedro. Why not Wenger take a leaf out of the Italian’s book? Take a gamble, like Conte did who is reaping the rewards of their change in shape.
Are Arsenal again just content on a top 4 place? A feat that is starting to become a frustrating achievement for the Arsenal faithful, they clearly want more and that means the Premier League title. A change is needed at Arsenal, whether that is a change in manager, who knows? It is a case of be careful what you wish for. Nonetheless, Arsene Wenger must adapt his tactics especially when it matters most, the club are suffering as a result. It is seven years since Fabregas offered his assessment on life at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger. No league title has been won in that time and the only change is that, after back-to-back defeats, the risk of missing out on the top four is on the horizon with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City all vying for a spot in Europe’s elite competition. When will Arsenal learn? Unfortunately for Wenger, it is difficult to see the signs that they ever will after their showing at Stamford Bridge, will Arsenal fans finally see the back of Wenger come the summer? Who knows.
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