As it happens, thankfully, it takes slightly more substance in football to actually achieve a fundamental aim for all teams: win the match.
I’m sure 90% of readers will have watched the match and as such we don’t need to review it to any great level of detail, the plain facts are enough for this: Chelsea spanked Arsenal 3-0 on their own patch. And it was good.
So as mentioned, in the lead up to the game there was quite a strong press presence from footballs very first franchise. The confidence coming from Arsenal’s third stadium was bullish, direct and pandered to all the requirements of our red tops. It was to many of us however a bit too good a job of papering over some really obvious cracks in a side that had just been defeated by Sunderland.
Arsene Wenger: We are no longer boys – we are ready for these games.
The cry from the professor was extremely transparent, his side had just been outfought and beaten – up next was one of the most compact, confident and mature sides Arsenal will face this season. His ONLY option was to get his players thinking they stood a chance. The reality of course was bared for all to see, Chelsea’s performance was akin to holding a pin-wheeling poodle at arm’s length then giving it an almighty kick up the arse. Three times.
After the match Arsene displayed much frustration, and who could blame him? His players had come up short. Can you hold this against them when playing Chelsea? Maybe not, we’re a big side with so much experience and composure we can make any team in the world look like pointless peacock runts. But the real frustration for Wenger was that HE had come up short. So convinced the hyperbole would work, as it does with Alex Ferguson, he couldn’t see past the notion we would go man-for-man and play a 4-3-3 derivative. Ooops.
Carlo’s diamond operated efficiently, ruthlessly and won us the match. No one player stood out, but perhaps that is telling in itself. Of course up front and at the back we had our heroes, Drogba goes without saying, but special praise must also go to JT, Ivan and Ashley Cole for their excellent defensive performance. Oh, sorry, I also missed another ex-Arsenal boy in Nicolas Anelka who in this writer’s opinion is the best natural footballer currently at Chelsea.
The Arsenal manager wasn’t overly impressed with our performance, stepping away from their shambolic yipping and ankle biting for a moment...‘From what I have seen on the pitch, Chelsea will drop points’ – to paraphrase Mr Wenger. Well this is true; as well we know having visited difficult destinations such as Wigan and Aston Villa and come away with nothing. A team looking towards the league title needs some securities from setbacks, and Chelsea’s are our home form plus the less intimidating and difficult away games. For example grounds you last visited and beat the inhabitants 1-4, that kind of place.
And so we go into our Sunday evening with a 0-3 win at the Emirates on our minds and really, when reflecting on the Arsenal managers words, thankful of easy away games.
I mean seriously Arsene, pointing out we were unimpressive and will drop points – having just beaten your litter of primped prats 3-0 – was a bit of an idiotic line to take. I know you were frustrated at being bested, at being wrong, at being shown up once again for the serial loser wrapped up in the belief he can re-write the rules of football that you struck out to deflect attention from it all, but the result sadly was to highlight to world that an ‘unimpressive Chelsea’ can hammer you 3-0 at home.
Oh, and the fact every other fan, pundit and footballer watching that match saw a game in which a team in blue taught their opposition a lesson will probably land home when you get home and prise the remote away from Mrs Wenger, who will undoubtedly complain at missing out on Bargain Hunt, to see the Sky+’ed re-run.
Final word on Wenger, to underline it all really...”It was a Chelsea player who kicked the ball” (out of Cech’s hands). If you’re going to pick an incident to actually see, Arsene, try and at least get remotely close to reality. Eduardo’s foot was so high he met Cech at neck height at the ‘keeper was a foot off the ground!
Arsenal Bloggers.
We at BlueTinted would like to thank the lads at goonertalk, Arsenal Insider, Arsenal Addict and Arsenal Times (search this last one on Youtube for some hilarious reaction to last seasons FA Cup semi-final) for the laughs they have provided us this week. We’ve picked out a few choice comments for your enjoyment. To those of you at rival sites, keep up the good work – and if you could pass on the number of your respective dealers that would be great as we’ve tried everything short of George’s Magic Medicine to replicate the level of mind-bendingly f**king stupid imaginings given over to text in your efforts. Cheers.
“Even with Didier Diver and Fat Frank returning, the Ch*vs can be beaten and we should think about worrying them, rather than worry about what they might do to us... Cesc Fabregas will be so up for this and as long as he gets some protection from the referee, he can pull our vistors apart - and with Jose Bosingwa absent, Andrey Arshavin should assert himself and show the watching world what a great player he can be.... A win will do us the world of good on so many levels - so let's make ourselves the 12th man and sing our hearts out on Sunday - too many people were too quiet on Tuesday!” – From the folks at Arsenal Addict. We can see you sneaking out.
“I have a theory that Arsenal always plays best against Chelsea and Man U when both Song and Denilson start together. I hope that is how Wenger lines up for this match... Very few teams attack Chelsea the way Arsenal do, and that's why the Gunners have a better record against them than most teams...” From Arsenal Times. Song and Denilson combined exquisitely until the former was taken off to try and claw back a 2-0 deficit. Shame really as that insight was spot on...as for that record, have you looked at it recently? If not – don’t bother. Be happy.
“Let us prove that WE ARE THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON, end of story! Chelsea are more hype and have yet to meet a team of the quality of Arsenal. If we win then the gap will be down to eight points with a game in hand. But watch out for the usual Chelsea cheating, the Drogba diving, the Terry off the ball obstruction. This Chelsea team will never have my respect if they continue to use such tactics....” This gem from an especially vocal prat over on ArsenalInsider.com – if you fancy a laugh don’t visit the site, it’s shit, but just imagine comments on articles containing the above, such as..
“Your headline drew me in. It struck me how true it is. As this Arsenal time rises and comes into its full powers Chelski will fade and fade.” – Ole Gunner
“I have nothing for that man - John Terry but derision and therefore, I hold Diaby in high regards as the only guy who put Terry in hospital.” – Goonerbeall
So keep them coming, goons, you never fail to give us Chelsea ‘Chavs’ a good chuckle when we see your internet representations of the on field class, sophistication and true winning spirit shown by your team.
Final Word
Sadly Jim Bowen turned down our bi-seasonal invite to appear on the site, apparently Morecambe’s fans wouldn’t take too kindly to it. In his absence it is once again our duty to say...”William Gallas, unlucky son, this is what you could have won..”
Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea – and the blues march onwards. KTBFFH.