Arsenal visited Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a match that was important to both clubs, and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, who have had a very rough start to the Premier League, emerged victorious in the famous London derby.
A mostly even game saw Chelsea win 2-0 against a nine-man Arsenal team. So where did Arsenal go wrong?
Firstly, possibly one of the most controversial moments we have seen all season in the sending off of Arsenal’s centre-back Gabriel Paulista.
We have all seen how Diego Costa plays and it’s no hidden secret that he is a very aggressive player. Costa clearly got under Gabriel’s skin by getting up in his face and taunting him.
Gabriel (currently 24) showed a little bit of inexperience and reacted to Costa’s unnecessary antics. In the end, I feel Costa should have been sent off later on in the match for having a late dig at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, which I presume the referee did not see.
Gabriel should not have been sent off, and because of this incident Arsenal were heavily affected for the rest of the match.
Santi Cazorla’s dismissal on the other hand was a correct decision. Two poor, very unnecessary challenges from the captain. Cazorla’s defensive game is really affecting himself and the Arsenal team as a unit.
I now turn the talk to Arsenal’s manager, Arsene Wenger. It’s been in every footballing fan’s mind over the past few years and I honestly think it is time now for Wenger to go.
This game against Chelsea really made me think about Wenger’s decisions.
Arsenal are used to playing the classic 4-5-1 formation but in today’s line-up I realised a player was out of position.
Cazorla, who played for 80 minutes and then saw a second yellow, started the game in a central defensive midfield role alongside Francis Coquelin. Cazorla is predominately an attacking player so it seemed odd to me that he was playing out of position in such an important match.
Sure enough, we saw Cazorla struggle defensively and as a result Arsenal struggled defensively. A strange move from Wenger.
I also question the half-time substitute.
After Gabriel was given his marching orders, Coquelin moved to centre-back for the small remainder of the half. We then witnessed an inexperienced, out of form, 21-year-old Calum Chambers come into the match.
Not that Chambers played bad, but it was a risky move by the french manager due to how Chambers played against Liverpool. Debuchy to centre-back may have been a safer option.
But, Coquelin was 100 per cent the wrong player to take off. Coquelin is well known for his ball-winning attributes and this was needed against players like Oscar, Eden Hazard and Pedro. When Coquelin came off, Arsenal’s defensive structure started to crumble, leaving Pedro and Hazard a lot of space to move into.
For me, Aaron Ramsey had to come off.
I think Wenger is really feeling the pressure at the moment and he isn’t coping. The recent loss in the Champions League really displays how his Arsenal life is currently going. Is this his last year?
Benjamin
Guest
This is a great article.. Thought provoking! Leadership can be distilled down to one thing: influence. Is Wenger taking this club to the heights it is worthy of? Regardless of your opinion, one thing doesn't lie; silverware in the cabinet. How many plates has Arsene brought it's the club house? Facts are facts. You've asked the question and I think we should let the facts answer.. At some point, ever leader must be accountable for results. What are Arsenes? And do they match up to the standing of this great club? Thank for writing this article, hard to believe from the comments that you're 14 years old.
BigAl
Guest
his wife thinks so ... http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsene-wenger-arsenal-manager-splits-from-wife-annie-with-couple-not-together-since-june-10513503.html
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Is this article written on the performance of one match or Wengers career? The man is a genius. He steered the club through tough financial situations whilst Emirates was built. Every year he finished in the top 4. He HAD to sell nearly every great player, yet somehow we were consistent. My worst fears is what happened to Man Utd when Fergie left. The club has spent a billion AU dollars due to the damage, something AFC does not have. Now, with over $400m in the bank we have attracted the likes of Ozil, Alexis, Cech, Carzola, etc. It is exciting times ahead and I think the man will bow out when he wins a few more trophies. Be patient. In Wenger we Trust. COYG.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Is it the only game you have watched? Carzola was deployed into the deep midfield last season. And, now you question his positioning?
Bondy
Guest
As an Arsenal supporter did we look as though we were fighting for the title any time during that match ?. My answers no we didn't . We'll run 3 - 4 in the league with a 10 point margin to the top team as usual .
j binnie
Guest
Batou - Not wishing to get heavily into this discussion I do question Wenger's use of certain players in certain positions.I watch Arsenal a lot via tv and IMO the best attacking midfielder on the clubs books is Carzola and yet the manager sees the diminutive ball playing Spaniard as a kind of defensive lynchpin.When in the past the commentators have stated "Arsenal are on song"the Spaniard has been playing just behind the big French strikeR and invariably started the moves that resulted in goals being scored.Not is he not physically suited tothe role he is being asked to play but the team's attacking posibilities are greatly reduced.There are others being selected who I put big question marks after their names but that is another story Cheers.jb
Kaks
Roar Guru
Dont think it will happen. Either he or Mertesacker will be used at CB (pending on Mertesacker's health) now that Paulista is suspended. One of them will start, the other will be on the bench. Wenger seems to trust Arteta for some reason and I expect him to get the starting holding role.
Jeshua
Guest
Appreciate the confirmation of my opinion of him. I hope he gets used in CDM instead of Arteta or Flamini if Coquelin really is injured. He would be a better option in my eyes.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Spot on with your assessment Nicholas. Wholeheartedly agree with your comments about Ramsey. Same can be said about Ozil who Wenger like to stick on the left when he is at his best centrally.
Kaks
Roar Guru
As a Chelsea fan, I also thought he did well at the Bridge considering the circumstances. He is a great young player who i believe will be a world class in a couple of years. He survived his baptism by fire early last year during the injury crisis to Arsenal's defence and will only get better.
Jeshua
Guest
I agree with you to an extent on how good Chambers was, the second half he was much improved. But if you watch the first he gave it away on multiple occasions throughout the half. However I thought he had a great half personally at the Bridge.
Kaks
Roar Guru
My recollection of Chambers against Liverpool was one where he had a shaky first 15 but grew into the game, which is extremely hard to do especially at his age. He didnt set the world alight, but i would hardly say he had terrible game.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Oh Nicholas, you really do hate Chelsea dont you? Maybe if you looked at it objectively and noticed how Arsenal were sitting deep all game with 10 men you would realise that it is hard to have an open, free flowing, exciting game of football.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Incorrect, he kicked out at Costa who was standing behind him. He did it directly in front of Mike Dean. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTnJ0_IuaenVsR7cQ-ZiIxk3dC9elqss2gMpMZ2BcsCfoFlgJInn9ls-ys Again, it was a brain explosion that cost Arsenal. I agree with Matt Whalley - I dont consider it a bookable offence - but in modern football these things have been stamped out for the protection of players and it is just the way it is. And the reason Mike Dean will not be refereeing an Arsenal game for a while is because Arsenal made a complaint about him, same thing happened when United complained about Phil Dowd a few years ago and the same thing happened when Chelsea made a complaint about Andre Mariner a couple of years ago. give it 6-12 months and it will all be good like it always is and Mike Dean will be refereeing Arsenal games again.
144
Roar Guru
IMO it was a boring game hands down, Zouma's goal was nice but i used to think that Chelsea were exciting to watch when people said they were boring. But now i agree with them, i cannot stand how lifeless their football is!!!
144
Roar Guru
Gabriel in my opinion although may not be as settled as Mertesacker, is better than him anyway. Why try and fit a player that is so slow into a playing philosophy that is so fast. Signing Gabriel is something that Wenger has fixed. It's simply the way Costa and alot of other players play, get under the players skin and he'll make silly mistakes, give away the ball, give away fouls, give you opportunities. Think about players who do it, Joey Barton, Eric Cantona, All these players who do it, i'm sure you'll have to admit is apart of their game and there is no reason that Costa should have been punished. Ramsey seems invisible so far this season, the wing position seems to be a bit of a risky move for Ramsey, he cannot express his creative side on his weak foot when he likes to cut in.
Tyler Galea
Roar Rookie
I haven't seen anywhere that Coquelin is injured? What I have seen, even on this website... Is "Arsenal earn absurd red card" ... Didn't you say that it was right for Gabriel to be sent off? Looks like you're wrong, maybe I should pull in random assumptions to make yourself feel worse... You must never play football, you probably sit in front of the t.v all day playing Fifa... You're probably a glory hunter
Tyler Galea
Roar Rookie
Gabriel stepped on his foot? The referee was pressured into making the decision because there was Chelsea players surrounding him! Mike Dean has now been told he is unable to ref any more Arsenal games so clearly he made the wrong decision.
Tyler Galea
Roar Rookie
Well I was at Stamford Bridge, trying to take down what I thought was happening in the match without the help of commentary. I still have much to learn clearly
Tyler Galea
Roar Rookie
Yeah but the younger players of the club are clearly having talks to Wenger and demanding game time and he is granting them! and it's because of this... That Arsenal lose to teams like Dinamo Zagreb! I have never questioned Wenger but now I think it's time. Every manger has his time.