Arsenal Show Steel To Defeat Chelsea...

Well, well what do we have here? Arsenal beating Chelsea 3-1 now that result classes as a collectors item. How did they do it? Well I hope I can answer that for you.

Subs: 46mins Ramires > Mikel, 57mins Kakuta > Malouda, 61mins Bosingwa > Ferreira

Chelsea lined up in their standard 4-3-3, but today Alex and Anelka were both injured, so Ivanovic was moved into centre back with Ferreira brought in to play on the right side. With Anelka absence there was a like for like replacement with Solomon Kalou coming in. If I'm honest only one played had a decent game for Chelsea and that Ivanovic. He was powerful at the back, made some storming runs forward and got on the scoresheet. Other than that no Chelsea player stood out. But that's enough of Chelsea today because this game truly belonged to Arsenal...

Subs: 72mins Diaby > Walcott, 75mins Chamakh > Van Persie, 88mins Rosicky > Fabregas

Arsenal dropped Arshavin for this fixture which was understandable as the Russian has been in poor form, which especially showed in their previous game against Manchester United. Walcott was brought in as his replacement. There were also changes at the back and up front with Van Persie starting instead of Morrocan international Chamakh and Frenchman Sebastian Squillaci was replaced by Johan Djourou.

Throughout the game Arsenal were playing their now standard high line but what made this performance stand out was the amount of pressure they were putting on Chelsea when they didn't have possession. Fabregas played almost like a second striker to help Van Persie put pressure on Terry and Ivanovic with the midfield pushing Chelsea into their own half. This tactic worked as it led to Walcotts goal, Malouda lost the ball deep in his own half after pressure from Walcott.

I think that they were able to play the high line due to Chelsea unwillingness to exploit the space behind due to a shortage of pace and a clever runner. Their lack of creativity in midfield may have contributed to this as their was no-one who could thread the "eye of the needle" passes needed to take advantage of the space.

As usual Arsenal hogged the possession having 61% of it but what was noticeable was that the Arsenal players matched Chelsea physically. At points in the game it look like the Gunners were dominating play physically as well as possession wise. Part of Arsenals aggression was also footballing aggression with Theo Walcott making piercing runs in behind Ashley Cole when he left space on his raids forward. Van Persie when he wasn't coming deep was playing off the shoulder of the last defender which made Terry especially wary due to his well documented lack of pace.

All in all I feel that Arsenals pressure and Walcotts willingness to run into spaces behind led to Chelsea being on the back foot for the majority of the game. This was especially the case once Arsenal had taken the lead through Songs driven finish and Chelsea were left to chase the game. Top performance from Arsenal...

This Seasons Dream Team... So Far...

Well when there's nothing of note to write about why not create a dream team? This seasons been an interesting one if it was a normal one Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard would've scored a million goals between them and people would still think that Glen Johnson is a good player. Well have a look below and give me your thoughts and suggestion if you can do better?

Dream Team So Far...

Bench: GK - Joe Hart,CB - Alex, LB - Gareth Bale,
DM - Nigel De Jong, CM - Paul Scholes, AM - Rafael Van Der Vaart, CF - Darren Bent

1.GK - Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)

Has been very impressive this season in a relatively unimpressive Blackburn side. Lost his confidence after a poor end to his time at Spurs and with England a few years ago. Sam Allardice has brought the best out of the Yorkshireman even to the degree that Fabio Capello recalled him to the England Squad only for Robinson to announce his international retirement. 

2.RB - Branislav Ivanovic - (Chelsea)

Not the most creative and attacking full back but solid and dependable also a threat at set-pieces. May lose his place to the returning Jose Bosingwa but is a very good centre half so expect to see him back in the Chelsea side. Scored the winner against Blackburn in a game with had draw written all over it.

3.LB - Ashley Cole (Chelsea)

Has just been proclaimed the worlds best left back by his manager Carlo Ancelloti... where has been the last 3 years? Cole is as dependable in the opponents half as much as in his own. Is one half of a deadly left sided double act with Florent Malouda who we'll discuss later.

5.CB - Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

He's been the only reliable player in a strangely shaky Manchester United defence. The Serb has the habit of winning any aerial duels and uses his imposing physique to its maximum. Is also a very good leader from the back as shown when United have been missing Rio Ferdinand their usual captain.

6.CB - Titus Bramble (Sunderland)

Yes... This isn't a typo and it isn't April fools. Bramble has played some of his best football under Steve Bruce at Wigan and now Sunderland. He is currently at the heart of the best defence in the league outside the top four and hasn't shown any of his trademark concentration lapses.

4.DM - Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Imposing central midfielder with the strength of a brutal centre half and the touch and passing of a number 10. He is here after he took on Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Ramires and... Won. He is a instrumental part of Mancini's side and looking like he's played in the Premier League for years.

6.CM - Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

The only Arsenal midfield who can pass forward with intent. Unable to get into Spain's national side but has been at his imperial best this season. Arsenal fans are probably counting their blessing after Barcelona failed in their traditional summer smash and grab.

7. RM - Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

9 games 5 goals and 3 assists in all competitions... Need I say more? Continuing his good form from the end of last season and has become a major player and also back up play-maker when Fabregas is injured.

8. LM - Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

Has had a very good season supporting Didier Drogba, scoring 7 goals combined in league and cup matches. Who would've thought 2 seasons ago he was labeled a big money flop. Chelsea's patience has been rewarded.

10. SS - Carlitos Tevez (Manchester City)

I feel he is a world class centre forward with the attitude of a limited centre half. He will run all day for the team but the also score the goals needed to be a top class forward. Has recovered well from a unsuccessful world cup. Manchester City's captain and top scorer is definitely worthy of a place in this team.

9. CF - Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney and Drogba make up what i feel is the big three in Premiership strikers. This season its been a "big 1" with Drogba being absolutely unplayable in some games. With 6 goals and 5 assists in his 8 games so far I think he could already be a possible footballer of the year.

Any doubts?