Chelsea Demolished As Arsenal Answer Critics In Style
Dec 27th, 2010 by 'holic
So for the second night running the management is asking why I appear to have swallowed a whole banana sideways. I have to say though that no cricket result will ever give me the pleasure that this victory over the bus stop in Fulham has tonight.
Five straight defeats had raised question marks about Arsene Wenger’s third creation. The performance against our closest neighbours even had me questioning things, but the evidence is starting to build that this team is maturing into the real deal.
I’m not sure we are there yet. Defensively we are still suspect on occasion, and too often that is self-inflicted. We played better at Stamford Bridge this season and lost. The points were also surrendered at Old Trafford, although I maintain we were plain unlucky, and not tactically outsmarted there. Yet the victory at Maine Road, and this comfortable destruction of the champions at home suggest a degree of progress that is all too easily dismissed by those who seem to take pleasure from being disgruntled.
From the first whistle tonight we witnessed the Arsenal that looked so good in the opening half of last season. The pressing all over the pitch was noticeable, and impressive. I had privately doubted the wisdom of starting van Persie ahead of Chamakh, but a couple of rusty misses apart I thought the Dutchman was a considerable presence in the attacking third. I also expressed concerns about Alex Song in my preview, so let me be among the first to praise him for getting the balance spot on tonight.
In both boxes he was making significant contributions, but none as important as the finish that gave the Gunners a thoroughly deserved advantage as the frenetic opening half drew to a close. Sky, desperate to explain to us how badly Chelsea had played, gave too little credit for the quality version of tippy-tappy that opened up the best defence in the Premiership. Song, having spent much of the game to this point in the vicinity of Drogba, finished with his ‘swinger’. Fair play young man.
If the end of the first-half lifted expectation, the opening of the second period would send the pulses racing to dangerous levels. Having won the right to play the Arsenal set about dismantling the reigning champions. Walcott and Fabregas traded assists and finishes as 1-0 became 3-0 in two sensational minutes. A Drogba free-kick headed home by Ivanovic just four minutes later hinted at one of those collapses that has plagued us on the odd occasion in the past.
We should not have worried. Now I would personally have benefited greatly from a second Chelsea goal, but in truth the defence looked pretty solid throughout. Drogba, so often a thorn in our side was very well martialed by both Koscielny and Djourou, with some assistance from the aforementioned Song. Sagna was simply outstanding throughout, and Clichy survived a couple of confidence-sapping moments to score highly in anyones ratings of the game.
I have to say that the night brought about not only the best Arsenal performance of the season thus far, but also the best level of support we have enjoyed at the Grove this term. Full marks to all of you who had the good fortune to be there. The atmosphere you created must have played a significant part and prompted a fantastic response from those in red.
The whole side deserves far more praise than was granted them by the curmudgeons at Sky. The manager too, for some surprising and brave decisions in his selection. At the end of the night though it is an absolute pleasure to sum up the game in two words.
ARSENE KNOWS!
58 Responses to “Chelsea Demolished As Arsenal Answer Critics In Style”
1st, Fantastic what a game made even sweeter as my father is a chelski man! pint of porter and a whiskey chaser holic
First …. Such a great match to watch
Yahoo and yipee. Santa has delivered my present tonight. Well, not really, the team put in a team performance.
I’m having a JD Single Barrel at present barman, so please retrieve another bottle.
Walcott was strong tonight. Strong signs with a few residual flaws. Down to Manure and ourselves, me’thinks. Silverware beckons!
cheers holic
I hope the holic pound provided a nice windfall for you.
Drinks on the house tonite?
its 0230hrs here(kenya) i cant sleep,the bar is closed guess i will have to do with water,anyway a big up to the boys in red for a game well played,the crowd was fantastic…bring on wigan
Brilliant and well deserved win, and about fecking time we beat that lot from the fulham road bus stop. A nice Rhone valley red please bar tender!
Job well done and kudos to them. High time since Roman had a new toy to play with.
spot on about Song. He stayed for the most part, and we looked better as a team for it. Great overall team performance, lets keep the form going against wigan.
VICTORIA CONCORDIA CRESCIT
Great win, great performance, great result. Enjoying an extra matured single malt (Glenmorangie) which is going down well. Now for the cricket…
PS. Check out Scezny ‘s post-game comment on twitter. Guy is becoming a legend.
A very, very good game by the boys in red and white. Fabregas lead by example on the pitch, and did you all notice how extremely hard Wilshere worked in defence? The guy is 18 years old and has for his entire footballing life been playing exclusively as an attacking player but he is learning the art of defending at a very rapid pace.
Haven’t read any online papers or other sites after the game (will do that tomorrow over breakfast!) but I’m guessing a lot of the focus will be on how bad Chelsea were but they were also made to look bad by our boys. I think Arsene got his tactics and selections spot on – put Walcott on the right to subdue He Who Shall Not Be Named and pin him back in his own half and Nasri on the left to keep that right-back (whoever it was, can’t remember who started for them) scared and also provide some protection for Clichy who, one rather strange situation in the second half, was very solid for 90 minutes. It was also the correct decision to play RvP from the start, his ability to hold the ball up in almost non-existant spaces is very important.
And I second what the ‘Holic said above, full marks for the support from the crowd. This is how it should always be.
Drinks all round, mine’s a pint of John Smiths!
We were superb tonight and gave that mob what they deserved,a good old fashioned pasting.All 10 out field players can hold their heads up high but Flappy only had 1 moment to deal with and as usual he fucked it up,why oh why was the young Pole not in goal????? just because Flappy was back 100% fit he gets his place back????but lets not dwell on Flappy’s lack of talent,we fucked that chelsea scum and took the 3 points and thats all that matters tonight,but Wenger,please take off the Flappy glasses and bench him before he costs us the title.
Cheers Snail…
Szczesny on Twitter…
Get in there! Great win and very important 3 points. I must admit their left side of defence was really weak though… lol
Oh Ashley Cole, you’re a fucking arsehole!
Great Christmas, a win against Chelsea and my boys third birthday tomorrow = A quality couple of days!!
Just the four bottles of Corona please ‘Holic, I’m in charge of a kids party in just over 13 hours! :S
@iSnail: hahaha, that’s just brilliant!
(but in all this joy over the victory there is a part of me that wonders if there is enough time to re-charge the batteries before the next game – Wigan away is less than 45 hours away… but perhaps I should leave worrying about that ’til tomorrow)
Djourou was a complete beast tonight. He won 99.9% of his battles, most of them with Drogba. MotM for me.
I’m the atmosphere came across to tv, it was fantastic.
Victoria concordia crescit indeed!
As I read somewhere else………
Who kept the Drog quiet?
Djou Djou Djou Djourou!!!
Djourou was a complete beast tonight. He won 99.9% of his battles, most of them with Drogba. MotM for me.
I’m glad the atmosphere came across to tv, it was fantastic.
Sorry about the double comment.
Greatness on the rise, it can’t be held back forever lads. Steady steady now and with enough care the greatness could come to fruition as early as this season …
Holic,
I said in the previous blog Holic that all I wanted was for us to fight like thieves and attack without fear – and I thought we did both splendidly tonight. This team actually cared..!!
This was a new departure. A new confidence. Lets hope its a new beginning. When we really care and fight for each other – were a sight to behold.
A bottle of flat bubbly or sparkling cider – in fact, anything at all with bubbles holic, anything at all…!!!
God bless you and your old man..!
Mornin ‘holic, I’ll not turn on the radio today to listen to the test, although the sheer pain from the thrashin the Poms are giving us is minor compared to the almost orgasmic joy of a superlative win this morning over the chavs. Woke up to rain and more rain on the Gold Coast but now the sun is shining even if the clouds are low!
Credit to AW’s selections. Djourou was immense at the back and Theo’s selection ahead of Arsharvin a master stroke. Fans have been on Clichy’s back for far too long not realising that he gets no protection when the diminuutive Russian is on the pitch. This morning’s game was evidence of that.
Gad, its not even 10am but a good Margaret River red please barman.
Fantastic night out just got back and watched the goals again, fucking brilliant!
Mixed bag tonight barman but another Sake would not go amiss.
Thought the decision to leave Arshavin on the bench was the right one and it worked a treat, he can start against Wigan with Chamakh upfront and we should do them ‘ard for last season.
Off to Geneva in the morning so hope that match is on the telly in CH
Happy Days
COYRRG!
Thanks for posting it ‘holic, something is up with my twitteriffic. Posts are slow and keeps closing.
Come on England. Trott on 149…
gazgooner a vintage Pinot from Moss Wood heading your way, hate that their new ones are Mornington Peninsula, but hey drink up, forgot about Djourou he was immense!
Sorry 148… The eye sight isn’t what it was.
Djourou. Proper centre half. I’ll drink to that.
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Lovely match, we won and that is important, lets continue, just a few thoughts on the match, at first when he did not start chamakh i cursed, and walcott on the right would not have been my choice either, but i knew the reason and it came to fruition cole did not get to go forward much , however the MASTER stroke by Wenger was sticking Nasri on the left and that ensured the Clichy would not be pressured and patched one of our defensive holes. JD and Kos did their job against Drojba and thats where the match was won we did not give them space to breathe, we were far quicker to the ball ad if we can bring this to every match, we will be going home with more than the Carling cup.
I’m happy and drunk. So no thoughtful words from me tonight. Except for:
Never in any doubt (well, except for when it was 3-1…)
We’ve got the best looking bench in the history of club football!
More analyzing thoughts will come tomorrow!
I’ll buy you a pint when you get back Lars!
Up the bleedin ARSE!
this commentators in sky r a b*lleach so i switched to a french channel where they were full of praise to our lads whom by the way were absolutely out of this world,if only they can replicate that in two months time against the best of the best fingers cross.
My voice deserted me, but since I can still type, permit to say how perfect the picture you chose to illustrate your post is.
No more alcohol for me barman, me head’s bangin’.
COME ON YOU GOONERS!
Top stuff Holic!
What a fantastic result Holics, we simply outplayed them today in our own back yard!
Song, Johan were awsome today so was Cesc and Sagna I believe the whole squad deserves praise for this result. You could see they played for eachother tonight and 3:1 could have been 5:1 very easily!
Great team effort, come on Arsenal! Cashley couldn’t even keep up with Sagna by the end!
Djourou should get a place in the starting 11 for the rest of the season.
Finally, a game with a fit starting 11 against a big team and that’s what happens.
AW is a genius for letting Song rampage forward, nobody marked him for the goal and he was always in our box to clear any dangerous balls, the man has by far the most stamina in the EPL.
🙂 🙂 Have that you c@@ts !! Just got back quality night and the boys worked their bollocks off just shows what can happen if you work hard, Special mentions to Song and Djourou both were simply outstanding and Walcott tore Ashley a new one at times the beers are on me 😉
Off to watch the cricket
Fully up the Arse.
Everybody, I just have to give you a link to this wonderful picture:
Grumpy little git gets a talking to by somewhat older man
🙂
I’m so happy, there aren’t words. Great game. Djourou should start every match, hopefully the manager realizes that now.
Founders Breakfast Stout on me for all takers (one of the best we make here in the States).
Hell yeah you Gunners!
Dadric, the reason Djourou does not start every game is that he is just back from a full season out injured. The risk of succumbing to niggles is high, so Arsene (an experienced football manager) chooses to use him sparingly. Given our recent injury history and it’s impact on our campaigns to date, I would suggest that is a wise move.
I almost can’t believe it….i’m floating on a cloud of sheer bliss…big ups to BTM,u called it perfectly man.Tell me what does ur crystal say about the rest of the season.; ).A night to celebrate ‘holics.I raise my glass of the finest Red wine u have holic to more of the same.
Lets keep this run going…COYRR!!!
New Year’s Day is my birthday and this was a great gift for me. Kudos to the Gaffer for getting his team selection and tactics spot on. Djourou was very impressive and is becoming a beast ; I think he has put himself as the ideal candidate to partner Vermaelen when he returns. Song was immense and dynamic. He performed his defensive duties magnificently tonight. It was a wonderful team performance to exorcise the demons. More of the same Gooners! Wigan here we come. Big up Holic and all Holics!
Big ups to Johann Djourou.He had Dogbreath on lockdown for the full 90 minutes. Song was perfect.Couldnt ask for anything more.Walcott was great but needs to get over the nerves that comes with being on the big stage.& RVP showed us what we’ve missed so far.I just hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.
Could someone pls tell me what went wrong when they scored? Wasnt really paying much attention. Was it a case of Fabianski flapping again or what?
(i am in gooner bliss…) its great that our young team was able to beat the champions, with a flourish. Finally our philosophy has worked against another big team who basically put all of their players behind the ball. There were a few times when Drogba was clearing the ball from inside chelsea’s box! we can use this to move forward and start dominating the league. onward and upwards…
Posted this on the discussion board of another Arsenal blog 3 months ago:
”As for Song, I think the reason for the more attacking-minded change to his game is becoming obvious, & definitely yielding fruits. He just needs to better understand when to stay back & when to go forward.”
I think like ‘holic said he got the necessary balance in defending & attacking spot on tonight.
Twas 2 days after Christmas, when all through the house not a chavksi was stirring, not even a scouse.
What a lovely night. I won’t be having anything as somehow had 4 pints tonight, and a vodka lime and soda. And a kebab.
Wilshere had another good game. Walcott too. The Englishmen should keep their places based on form.
DIS IS WA HAPENS WEN U HAVE UR FIRST CHOICE TEAM RARING AND FIT TO GO
What a Xmas present… I’m high as a kite!!!
Sorry if I’ve repeated anything that has been said, but my drunkenness (if that is even a word) willl only allow me to type my own report/dribble.
Song- was on!! That’s the kind of performance that we’ve all been dreaming of……. attack/defence… CONTROLED!!
Djourou- There was a time when a CB had to stand up and be counted….. He came, he stond and if you want to count him, then get out your calculater, because Steven Hawking couldn’t even estimate his value… if you had to sum it up in one word, then I would say- SOLID!!
As for the rest; Men against Boys??????? Fuck off!!! I only saw men, fighting for the shirt.
The chavs are dead, the ghost has been put to rest. (stabbed in the heart and kicked 100 times when they were on the floor) our only competition are IOU… Bring it on!!!
It’s time to believe my fellow “holics, lets take the half full glass from BtM and add it to the controlled optimism from our benifactor (take a bow ‘holic) and get shitfaced with the belief that our time is coming!!!!
Even if we don’t quite make it (and I think we can) lets just enjoy the ride!!!
As a cheesy pop star with a fucked up hair-do, (looks like Song Eh???) and a name like a wash deturgent once said:
“The only way is up”!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeyOnNple4M
Drinks all round please sir.
Cheers.
Sorry for typos, I’m wasted.
H2H
It would sound so STUPID to say i am not happy tonight but thats exactly what it is. Because the result of this match didnt tell the whole story,when BARCELONA beat REAL MADRID 5 0 even if you dont have the opportunity to watch the game you dont need to be told that the game is one sided affair. So thats exactly what i expected us to do to this old tired legs so that every body will realise that this boys are now becoming MEN. Lets keep the momentum going, A BOTTLE OF LARGE GUINNESS STOUT TO QUENCH MY APPETITE PLZ HOLICS, GUNNERS RULES THE WORLD BECAUSE, ARSENE KNOWS
Here’s a vote for this striker combination going forward — RVP as starter, with Chamakh as the later stages substitute. This would fit Chamakh’s best attributes — defensively, he’ll work like crazy to pressure the ball to disrupt attacks, he holds the ball well, and he (and Djourou) are our best defensive headers. And, offensively, if a team is parking the bus in a tight match, he’s the obvious best option for balls in the air.
Gremlins holic??????
I arrived at the ground about 20 mins before kick off last night. The air was full of optimism that has not been apparent at many of the recent home games against the Chavs. Or the Mancs for that matter. As I made my way to entrance B, block 4 and eventually to my seat the whole place was awash with positive Gooners.
The discussions in the pub prior to kick off centred around the fact that we all felt that we needed to get at the chavs form the first minute. We were not disappointed. I thought that we took the game to them from the very start. It was noticeable from the start that we were well and truly up for it. One quick check at the team sheets raised the noise levels even more. You only had to compare the benches to see who was going to be the dominant force on the night.
A lot of what I had to say has already been touched on. I agree with H2H re Song. Has he finally worked out the balance between attack and defence? Wilshere was absolutely immense. I thought he showed maturity beyond his years last night. He was more than happy to introduce himself to Drogba. It frightens me to think how good he will eventually become.
Theo also had his best game for agaes. I know he has been out injured but he does have a tendency to hide at times. Not last night. Even when things did not come off he was quite happy to track back and get stuck in. Something the Russian Elf would do well to take note of. He has often had his decision making and end product questioned. Not last night. All spot on for me. As much as I despise that little twat cashley you have to accept that he is still a very good player. Theo gave him as hard a work out as anyone has had. It was also a great finish for his goal.
All in all a top night although I do agree with you Holic re the defence. We are still vulnerable to the same set plays or the balls played into the box. That said I do feet that JD had a great game. I also agree that he could be the partner for TV when/if he ever makes it back. Still not convinced with Kos or Flappy though.
Eventually got home at about 12.30, watched the goals again on Sky before watching 2 hours of cricket. I am hoping that England polish off the Aussies nice and early this evening. Hoping to have an early start on Weds to head up to Wigan. That will be another test. It is at times like this that we actually see how much this side has grown. The result last night is something we need to build on. We need to take that forward and make it really count. There is no point in playing like that, stuffing the Chavs only to go and lose at Wigan. So lets grab the bull by the bollocks and really let everybody around us sit up and take note.
Final word for the captain. Thought that he was massive last night. Cesc back to his best??????????? Let’s hope so.
Keep the faith.
Apologies all. There are too many of you reading me apparently! I’m trying to resolve the issue with no further account suspension, but if I do disappear again I will endeavour to make it as short as possible.
Cheers all.
Welcome back. Was getting worried. Could not work out of it was deluded Chavs or suicidal aussies that had taken over???
Even though Mother Nature has been playing havoc with my travel plans (flight to Heathrow delayed 5 hours as of now), I can’t wipe the smile from my face. The opening 5 minutes shocked me, as this was the type of smothering team defence we have needed to be playing all season (and last season, and the season before, etc) but never have. Chelsea made mistakes, true, but every team makes mistakes. But it’s the special sides that make you pay for such errors, and that’s exactly what we did. Which takes nothing away from our offensive play in general, which was sublime. Passing was crisp all over the pitch and kept the KGB agents in blue chasing the ball on old, tired legs. Simply the best, most committed team performance in recent memory, and not a moment too soon. However, we’ll need to keep that same type of application and spirit against Wigan, Brum and particularly Citeh, lest this victory lose meaning.
Is this a turning point for our lads? Tough to say. But we can all display our colors proudly today. Cheers to Song, Djourou, Walcott and Jack, who were all simply brilliant.
I agree, ‘Holic, that the team played as well if not better in the game at Stamford Bridge at least for spells. The difference between those two matches is that Chelsea scored two world-class goals at home and didn’t away, whereas Song and Walcott tucked away a couple of chances last night that Cech on another night might well have saved. Had Drogba put away the chance he had early on, the game might have taken on a different complexion. That all said, in neither game were we remotely outclassed. You are spot on that this team is close to the finished article, just not consistently so. I think, too, that the formation that played last night is close to our optimal. Clichy looked so much more solid with Nasri in front of him and Sagna/Walcott seems a better combo on the right than Sagna/Nasri, if for no particular reason. Those pairings certainly shut off the attacking threat of Ivanovic and Cashley, and stopped Chelsea defending as narrowly as they prefer. Zonal Marking thought van Persie playing deep got in Cesc’s way, but RvP plays the so-called false nine role higher up than Chamakh does. That seemed to give us more of a cutting edge in the box, where van Persie’s excellent first touch is so valuable when we try to tip-tap our way through the defensive banks of four. With Vermaelen injured, Djourou confirmed he is a first choice central defender, and, arguably, when TV is back. Song and Wilshere have got a DM rotation ticking along nicely. Song got the plaudits last night but Jack had a tremendous game, too.
A glass of your finest claret, if you would, ‘Holic, to reflect on a heart-warming victory, and to hope it all carries over to the Wigan game and beyond.
Gaz @ 12 – look again. Their goal was down to Koscielny – if our centre backs are going to put in such insipid challenges to set piece crosses, then we will continue to concede. He needs to man up a bit.
That apart, we defended pretty well all night. And how Sky hated us for it. We did not follow their script – we were supposed to implode and Drogba was supposed to be our nemesis blah blah blah.
Get it right up you Richard Keys, you feckin primate.
Anyone else notice the little snidely remarks coming from Sky over the last few weeks.
Apart from not giving Arsenal any credit last night.
Geoff Shreeves wished Ancelotto the best of luck after his pre game interview and not Arsene after his.
After the recent CL game with PB. Richard Keyes emphised that Sagna red card was the 82nd during AW’s reign, he emphised it by repeating 82nd and shking his head.
The only reason I caught that magical BAFTA award winning television moment was because I was pissed off with Adrian Chiles comment of “I bet he won’t be thinking that when they are 3 goals down at the Nou Camp” after RVP’s interview on ITV.
Maybe I should get out more.
What a result last night made more enjoyable with the 8 pints of Guinness and Port that I drank.
Blizzard here, a victory over the Chavs there, and ain’t the Magner’s cold.
Oh ‘Holic fixed.
I had forgoten the sound of vuvuzelas; you do not want happy gooners anywhere near your house at 1.00 am