Arsenal 3 - 1 Chelsea: There's Only One Team in London

Nothing better than Theo Walcott celebrating behind a beaten Petr Cech. Pic via Daily Mail.

Arsenal 3: Song 44, Fabregas 51, Walcott 53

Chelsea 1: Ivanovic 57

You heard about it over and over and over again, that Arsenal could not rise to the occasion and win the big games. They hadn't beaten United or Chelsea in over two years. There was a psychological issue to overcome here, and if they couldn't jump over that hurdle, then this would probably not be Arsenal's year. On Monday, Arsenal finally passed the test.

Arsenal made a surprising and very welcome five changes to the side that lost at Old Trafford a fortnight ago. Lukasz Fabianski passed fit and returned to his place between the sticks as compatriot Wojciech Szczesny dropped back to the bench. Johan Djourou entered the starting line-up (finally!) as out-of-form Sebastien Squillaci dropped. Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were both finally fit to start at the same time as Tomas Rosicky and Marouane Chamakh dropped, the latter needing a little rest. The biggest change was the return of Theo Walcott to the starting XI, as the lately ineffective Andrei Arshavin was banished the substitutes' bench.

In refreshing news, Arsenal had a strong start to the match, showing there were no signs of the nervousness the Gunners showed at Old Trafford. Cesc Fabregas spoke about the team being scared to lose in Manchester two weeks ago; Arsenal showed right off the bat that this was not the case against Chelsea. It was clear that Fabregas was back to full fitness and that the wingers, Samir Nasri on the left and Theo Walcott on the right, would cause Chelsea's back four problems. There were times when Walcott was running circles around Ashley Cole, and there is really nothing better than that for a Gooner.

That being said, Arsenal's attempts to pick the lock were met with some resistance at the start and through the first half hour, there wasn't much to speak of either way in terms of chances. Perhaps the first sign that Arsenal's luck against the Blues had turned was when Didier Drogba fired a shot wide on his first occasion in space. Drogba and Chelsea always seem to take advantage of every chance Arsenal gifts to them and this time, that didn't happen. That was Chelsea's only chance in the first half.

Rogue striker? Pic via Guardian.

Arsenal finally got in the door just before half time. Just after a brilliant chip shot from Samir Nasri was brilliant saved by Petr Cech's fingertips, Alex Song scored the opener. Song and Wilshere played a lovely one-two on the outside of the area to Fabregas, who went down in the box. Mark Clattenburg played advantage (it's hard to say if a penalty would have been given, I actually doubt it) and Alex Song took a left footed shot across the face of the goal and into the low corner.

Now, we've seen Arsenal capitulate from this position before, but their start to the second half was fantastic, in fact, they stole the ball back from Chelsea after just one pass to kick off the half. Arsenal had a second in the 51st, as a Michael Essien back pass succeeded in finding Theo Walcott. Walcott's pass across goal was tipped by a diving Cech, but only as far as Fabregas, who pounded the ball into the gaping net. Then, a third goal, as Walcott dispossessed Flourent Malouda, found Fabrgeas, who slotted a brilliant return for Walcott who found the net himself this time. Arsenal had three goals in ten minutes spanning both halves.

Remember, though, that this is Arsenal, and they never make it easy. Which is why it wasn't exactly shocking to me that Chelsea pinged a goal back four minutes later. Chelsea has a habit of burning Arsenal on set pieces and on this occasion, a perfectly placed free kick from Didier Drogba found the head of Branislav Ivanovic, who headed one home. The blame for this lies largely on Laurent Koscielny, whom Ivanovic leapt over, though Lukasz Fabianski, caught in a moment of indecisiveness, moved himself into a position where he had no chance to make a save.

We've seen Arsenal collapse in positions like this, but that was not the case on this night. Samir Nasri had a chance to add a fourth for Arsenal but his chip could not beat the arm of the out-rushing Cech. Abou Diaby returned for the first time since October and he had a chance to score, but took way too much time, tried switching to a favored foot, and let Frank Lampard get back to block. Chelsea looked threatening at times, but wasted all of their opportunities, and truly are now, a team in shambles.

From a player-by-player perspective, Fabianski had very little to do, Johan Djourou was fantastic at center half, Alex Song did well in both directions, and quite honestly, Arsenal's entire midfield and forwards dominated this match. There is no doubt about it. This was more than just three points for Arsenal. The belief is back. The confidence is back. This was probably their biggest win in at least two years.

Hipster Gooner Man of the Match: Theo Walcott

Preview: Arsenal v. CSKA London

This fixture ruined my birthday last year. Pic via Daily Mail.

Emirates Stadium, London

Monday, December 27

8:00 p.m. GMT, 3:00 p.m. EST

• Referee: Mark Clattenburg
• This Match, Last Year: Arsenal 0 - 3 Chelsea
• Reverse Fixture: Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal
• All-Time in All Competitions: 69 Arsenal wins, 54 Chelsea wins, 51 draws
• Arsenal's Recent Form: W-W-L-W-W-L
• Chelsea's Recent Form: W-L-L-D-D-D

Predicted Line-Up

guesses in red

Fabianski

Sagna - Koscielny - Squillaci - Clichy

Song - Wilshere

Nasri - Fabregas - van Persie

Chamakh

Subs from: Szczesny, Eboue, Djourou, Diaby, Denilson, Arshavin, Walcott, Rosicky, Bendtner, Vela

Out: Gibbs (ankle), Almunia (ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• Lukasz Fabianski (hip) and Abou Diaby (ankle) return to the side after their respective injuries. Both would have been available last Saturday against Stoke had the match been played. Diaby has not played since early October at Stamford Bridge.
• Johan Djourou (thigh) appears to be available as well. I wish he'd start for once.
• Both Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie should be fit to start.
• Kieran Gibbs remains out with an ankle injury until the beginning of January. It might be mid- to late-January for Thomas Vermaelen, however.
• Any bets on if we'll ever see Manuel Almunia (ankle injury) in an Arsenal kit again?
• It sounds like a broken record by now, but in the league, Arsenal have yet to win at home comfortably without their opposition having a man sent off (Blackpool and Bolton.) They've either lost (West Brom, Newcastle, Spurs) or won maddeningly tight affairs (Birmingham, West Ham, Fulham.)
• Arsenal have only lost two consecutive league matches once this season, but the second match that time was against Chelsea.
• Arsenal have won 10 league matches this year, more than any other side.

Chelsea News and Notes

• Arsenal continues to have bad luck with facing teams just as they're getting healthy again. Chelsea have been recently boosted by the return of Didier Drogba, and possibly more importantly, Frank Lampard in midfield.
• Yuri Zhirkov remains a doubt with a calf injury. Jose Bosingwa (hamstring) could return to the side, but it's doubtful.
• Long term injuries include Alex (knee) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles.)
• The last time Chelsea went five league matches without a win was the end of the 2006/07 season, when they drew their final five matches and lost the league title to Manchester United by six points.
• The last time Chelsea had picked up as few three points in five straight league fixtures was at the beginning of the 2000/01 season, a stretch that included losses to Bradford City and Leicester, and draws with Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United. That stretch continued to four points in six with a draw with Manchester United. Chelsea finished sixth that year.

Match Facts

• Chelsea won the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge 2-0 in October, with goals from Didier Drogba and Alex.
• Arsenal has lost their last two home fixtures to Chelsea, both by astonishing three goal margins.
• Last year, Chelsea won this fixture 3-0 through a Didier Drogba brace and a Thomas Vermaelen own goal. The year before that, Chelsea won 4-1 through Alex, Nicolas Anelka, Flourent Malouda, and a Kolo Toure own goal. Nicklas Bendtner had Arsenal's consolation goal in that one.
• In their last five competitive meetings, all Chelsea wins, the Blues have outscored Arsenal 13-2.
• Didier Drogba has scored 13 goals in this last 11 competitive matches against Arsenal. He had four goals last year in two matches and scored at Stamford Bridge earlier this year.

The Referee

• The refreee is Tyne & Wear-based Mark Clattenburg.
• Arsenal have outscored their opponents 7-2 in the two matches Clattenburg has taken charge of this season: their 3-0 win at Manchester City and 4-2 win at Aston Villa.
• Then again, Chelsea have outscored their opponents 10-0 in their two matches worked by Clattenburg: their 6-0 win over West Bromwich Albion and 4-0 win over Blackpool, both at Stamford Bridge.
• In 19 games this season, Clattenburg has shown 59 yellow cards and 3 red cards. One of the reds was to Dedryck Boyata of Manchester City five minutes into their match with Arsenal.

Around the League
All other fixtures this week are played on Sunday.

• Fulham v. West Ham United; Craven Cottage, London
• Blackburn Rovers v. Stoke City; Ewood Park, Blackburn
• Blackpool v. Liverpool; Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
• Bolton Wanderers v. West Bromwich Albion; Reebok Stadium, Bolton
• Everton v. Birmingham City; Goodison Park, Liverpool
• Manchester United v. Sunderland; Old Trafford, Manchester
• Newcastle United v. Manchester City; St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
• Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Wigan Athletic; Molineux, Wolverhampton
• Aston Villa v. Tottenham Hotspur; Villa Park, Birmingham

Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal: Bitter Pill

Why is Drogba practically guaranteed to score somehow against Arsenal, every time? Pic via Daily Telegraph.

Arsenal 0

Chelsea 2: Drogba 39, Alex 85

I'm not one for moral victories, largely because they don't earn you three points in the table. However, I don't think I would be too far out of line here to suggest that Arsenal's fate yesterday was a little undeserved. Arsenal proved they can challenge the champions (something many pundits did not suggest was possible), even with a laundry list of first team players out injured, but in the end, the breaks did not go the Gunners' way. A draw would have probably been a fairer result given the balance of play (by no means am I suggesting Arsenal should have won), but to win at Chelsea, you have to make the most of the chances presented to you; Arsenal still can't always do that.

Four changes were made to the side that started at Marzipan Partizan on Tuesday. Kieran Gibbs's calf injury meant that Gael Clichy returned to his role at left back. Laurent Koscielny, rested on Tuesday, returned at center back in place of Johan Djourou. Samir Nasri, also rested at the start on Tuesday, returned to the line-up in place of Tomas Rosicky, and Abou Diaby started in the place of Denilson. Quite honestly, I don't think Diaby should have started and would have preferred Song and Wilshere in the holding roles, Nasri as the lynchpin in the center, and Rosicky starting out wide.

What is worrying is that Arsenal's early pressure was essentially their only pressure. Andrei Arshavin had a solid first half, but was essentially the only offensive creator on the pitch in red, with Nasri out of his natural position wide on the other side and Rosicky on the bench. Of course, given his mercurial nature, Arshavin disappeared in the second, as did the rest of Arsenal's chances.

Arsenal could have scored twice in the game's first minute. A brilliant header from Marouane Chamakh was barely flicked wide by Alex; then, Laurent Koscielny found himself wide open on the resulting corner after losing his man, then nodded the ball high over the bar. When you're at Stamford Bridge, you need to take every opportunity you get to score, and Arsenal just didn't do it. I don't think they had a chance quite as good as those two the rest of the game. They may have controlled possession for a good chunk of the match (as per usual), but there was no major threat in the final third.

At the time, I thought Chelsea's opening goal was a moment of pure luck and fortune, but on seeing replays, it was largely just Didier Drogba being a world class football player that has a knack for scoring against Arsenal. A Ramires pass found an overlapping Ashley Cole who centered to the Ivorian striker, guarded well by Sebastien Squillaci. The cross was slightly behind Drogba, but he flicked the back of his foot to catch the ball, which ricocheted off the post and into the net for a surprising opener. Not much could have been done from an Arsenal point of view on the shot itself; the build up was a bit frustrating, however. Alex Song was fouled before Ramires took the ball in the first place, Samir Nasri switched off to allow the through ball for Cole to get inside Bacary Sagna, and the rest was history.

Chelsea's insurance goal came directly from a free kick in the 85th, perfectly taken by Alex into the top corner. Against, not much could have been done defensively on the shot itself, but in the build up lies the frustration. You can't blame Laurent Koscielny for the tackle (and yellow card) that led to the kick, he did what he had to do to stop the counter attack and took a booking for the team; I applaud him for that, and he's becoming quite a good Premier League defender. Chelsea's possession in the first place came from a misplaced pass, though I forget who was the culprit.

All in all, Arsenal probably deserved better, but can't be expected to earn it when you miss your chances. Lukasz Fabianski was fantastic in goal (no, really, if you didn't see the match, I am not kidding you) and was not at all to blame for either of Chelsea's goals. Jack Wilshere was, again, promising in midfield. Abou Diaby remains a tremendous source of frustration for me (I believe I said I was "so over him" outside of the bar after the match.) Alex Song had a better match this week than last week against West Brom (who didn't, though.) Arsenal's deficiencies remain the same, though: 1) the back four look suspect at times, which will likely be aided whenever the hell Thomas Vermaelen returns, and 2) the attack is significantly lacking creativity and spark, which will likely be aided whenever the hell Robin van Persie returns.

Optimism reigns supreme in this Gooner's mind. It's only October. There's time and Chelsea don't look that unbeatable. Time will tell.

Preview: Chelsea v. Arsenal

This can't be as difficult as Partizan Belgrade, right? Pic via Sky Sports.

Stamford Bridge, London

Sunday, October 3

16:00 BST, 11:00 a.m. EDT

• Referee: Mike Dean
• This Match, Last Year: Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal
• All-Time in All Competitions: 69 Arsenal wins, 53 Chelsea wins, 51 draws
• Arsenal's Recent Form: D-W-W-W-D-L
• Chelsea's Recent Form: W-W-W-W-W-L

Predicted Line-Up

guesses in red

Fabianski
Sagna - Koscielny - Squillaci - Clichy
Song - Wilshere
Rosicky - Nasri - Arshavin
Chamakh

Subs from: Szczesny, Djourou, Denilson, Eboue, Diaby, Vela, Lansbury

Out: Almunia (elbow), Fabregas (hamstring), Gibbs (calf), Vermaelen (Achilles), Walcott (ankle), Van Persie (ankle), Bendtner (groin), Ramsey (broken leg), Frimpong (knee)

Arsenal News and Notes

• Cesc Fabregas, Manuel Almunia, Kieran Gibbs, and Thomas Vermaelen are all out. That's just awful news.
• Abou Diaby will return and is "80% likely" to start. His ankle problem kept him from making the trip to Belgrade this week.
• Nicklas Bendtner will return to training after the upcoming international break.
• Arsenal have dropped points in consecutive league fixtures for the first time since going four matches without a win towards the end of last season.
• Arsenal lost consecutive league matches four times last season.
• Since winning at Stamford Bridge in November of 2008, Arsenal has not won a match against Chelsea and Manchester United, in nine tries.
• Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet away from home since a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in January, and have not kept a clean sheet away from home in a winning effort since a 2-0 win at Bolton, also in January.

Chelsea News and Notes

• Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard for two more weeks after a hernia operation.
• Yossi Benayoun has traveled to Belgrade to receive supplemental treatment on his injured calf.
• The Blues will also be without Salomon Kalou with a thigh injury.
• Manager Carlos Ancelotti will likely be with the team on Sunday, despite the unfortunate passing of his father this week.
• Chelsea have not dropped points in consecutive league fixtures since back-to-back draws against West Ham United and Birmingham City last December.
• Before their Champions League win on Tuesday, Chelsea had lost consecutive matches across all competitions for the first time since falling to Inter Milan then Manchester City in February.
• Chelsea have not lost consecutive league fixtures in four years. They lost the final two fixtures of the 2005/06 season, against Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers. They had already won the league by then anyway.

Match Facts

• Chelsea took all six points from Arsenal last year. Arsenal did not score a goal in the process, losing 3-0 at home in November and 2-0 at the Bridge in February.
• All-time in league fixtures played at Chelsea, both sides have won 24 times with 25 draws.
• In the Premier League era, no away team has won at Stamford Bridge more than Arsenal. The Gunners have won six times since 1992.
• Didier Drogba has scored 12 goals in this last 10 competitive matches against Arsenal. He had four goals last year in two matches.
• Arsenal won this fixture two years ago 2-1, thanks to a brace from Robin van Persie, who was hurt for this fixture last year and is hurt again this year.

The Referee

• The referee is Mike Dean.
• Arsenal dropped points in all four matches Dean worked for them last year: a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford, a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor in Burnley, a 2-0 loss in this exact fixture, and a 0-0 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates.
• Dean earlier this year worked Chelsea's 6-0 win at Wigan Atheltic. Last year, in addition to their home win over Arsenal, Dean worked Chelsea's 2-1 win at Stoke, 1-1 draw at West Ham, 2-0 FA Cup win at Preston, 4-2 loss at home to Manchester City, and 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

Around the League

• Saturday: Wigan Athletic v. Wolverhampton Wanderers; DW Stadium, Wigan
• Saturday: Birmingham City v. Everton; St. Andrew's, Birmingham
• Saturday: Stoke City v. Blackburn Rovers; Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
• Saturday: Sunderland v. Manchester United; Stadium of Light, Sunderland
• Saturday: Tottenham Hotspur v. Aston Villa; White Hart Lane, London
• Saturday: West Bromwich Albion v. Bolton Wanderers; The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
• Saturday: West Ham United v. Fulham; Boleyn Ground, London
• Sunday: Manchester City v. Newcastle United; City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
• Sunday: Liverpool v. Blackpool; Anfield, Liverpool

News Roundup 3/22/10 - The Homecoming Edition

I just hope he doesn't handball any goals. Pic via BBC.

• Thierry Henry is not happy with the Champions League draw and having to play against his former team. Neither was David Beckham in the last round with Milan against United. And then they got destroyed. Same result, plz? [Sky Sports]
• West Ham United manager and Ben Stiller look-alike Gianfranco Zola admits, after having played them both in consecutive weeks, that Arsenal are a better team than Chelsea at the moment. Meanwhile, the battle against relegation continues at the Gianfranco Zola Center for Kids Who Can't Football Good. [Daily Mirror]
• Arsenal are now second favorites to win the Premier League, after Chelsea's draw at Blackburn yesterday. That means now is not the time to feed your crippling gambling addiction. [Arsenal.com]
• After doing a medium amount of research myself, I'm almost positive that Thomas Vermaelen's suspension for a straight red card for that last man foul on Saturday will be one match and not three.
• Robin van Persie has resumed training! He might return by the time Arsenal hosts Manchester City, meaning it will be his turn to kick Emmanuel Adebayor in the face. [Guardian]
• Aaron Ramsey has resumed walking without crutches. I find that so amazingly quick. Get well soon, Aaron! [Arsenal.com]
• Transfer accusations and ridiculousness: Lille 19-year-old midfielder Eden Hazard admits he is flattered by interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, but is happy to stay in France. Eden Hazard? Ugh, just think of all of the chants we could come up with using that name! I think that's what I'm most disappointed about here. [Daily Mail]

LIVEBLOG: Will Wayne Bridge shake John Terry's hand?

While most of you New York-based Gooners are sleeping, Jack and I skipped a Saturday lie-in and brunch to race to the pub and bring you the big news first:

WILL WAYNE BRIDGE SHAKE JOHN TERRY'S HAND?!?!

That's right, straight from the pages of the Sun and the Guardian liveblog, it's the question of the day. In one corner, Wayne Bridge, Man City player and former teammate of Terry, whose ex-girlfriend and baby mama very nearly made babies with Terry, and who has given up a very likely chance to play for England over the whole debacle. In the other corner, sneering John Terry, Chelsea player who cheated on his wife with Terry's ex and reportedly refused to apologize; members of his camp have been calling Bridge a "bottler" for quitting England after Terry's captaincy had already been rescinded by Capello.

The teams are warming up now (aka rolling around on the pitch.) WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

UPDATE: NO!!!!

THE BEST BLANKING IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!!!

Video to come, of course, to brighten your snowy Saturday.

VIDEO UPDATE:

News Roundup 2/23/10 - The One Man Went to Bed with Ashley Edition

 

And his mobile phone... Pic via Daily Mirror.

• Though it is of course not technically Arsenal news, you know you secretly love hearing that Ashley Cole might leave Stamford Bridge because he's upset he's being called out for his... ahem... off-pitch bedroom training... [Guardian]
• Of course, the difference between this hilarious situation and the other John Terry hilarious situation is that Cole did this while on club duty.
• And in searching for a picture, I stumbled across this article from India, quoting Cole's mistress calling him "mundane" and "boring in bed." He's probably just used to being with ten men. [One India]
• Back to the Gunners, where Nicklas Bendtner's ego is totally ready to bring Arsenal some silverware. [Sky Sports, Daily Mirror]
• "Unlucky" Theo Walcott is feeling "as fit as ever," which means he'll get hurt in training tomorrow [Arsenal.com] because he has all of the weight of England on his shoulders to stay healthy, or something. [BBC]
• On the flight back from Portugal with the Arsenal traveling supporters, Cesc Fabregas used the plane's PA system to apologize for their performance. Fabianski would have done the same, but he fumbled the microphone backwards into the net. [Daily Telegraph]
• Wild transfer rumors and lies: It's now Manchester United leading the race for Raheem Sterling, the wunderkind from QPR [Daily Mirror]; Spanish right back Cesar Azpilicueta might sign with us, Man City, or Barca [Daily Mail]; and Andrei Arshavin is pushing for the signing of Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. [Daily Mail]
• Finally, let's all remember that we have to root for West Ham United tonight; they play Manchester United at Old Trafford at 8 pm local time, 3 pm Eastern.

Can You Name the Four Teams That Don't Like This Idea?

The Premier League is considering holding a four-team playoff for their final Champions League spot, contested by teams placed fourth through seventh, instead of awarding it to the team in fourth place. [Guardian]

News Roundup 2/12/10 - The Season Is Saved Edition

Here's Manuel Almunia doing what he does best: barely trying to touch a reachable ball. Pic via Daily Mirror.

• According to Almunia, Arsenal's thirtysomethings held a dressing room inquest to address the team's recent drop in form. This was close to the assumption Max and I made that the team resolved their issues with a massive bar fight. [Daily Mirror]
• Speaking of massive fights, Arsenal and Hull City were both fined yesterday by the FA for their fun little pre-Christmas get together at the Emirates. [Guardian]
• And before straying to far from the subject, Manuel Almunia still believes Arsenal can win the title. In other news, Christians still love Jesus. [Guardian]
• Also not ruling out Arsenal: Chelsea manager Carlos Ancelotti. He believes the title will come down to the very last day. [Sky Sports]
• In bad news that I'm trying to hide in the middle of this, Andrei Arshavin (hamstring) and Alex Song (knee) were both injured on Wednesday and the severity of both is currently unknown. Details likely today. [Daily Telegraph, BBC]
  
• Speaking of Arshavin, he says Arsenal can't afford to lose again. Didn't Vermaelen say that a long time ago? [Daily Mirror]
• And in quick transfer news, Derby County is looking to acquire 18-year-old striker Gilles Sunu on loan. [Sky Sports]
• No Arsenal match this weekend, which gives the walking wounded more time to recover ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match at Porto. It also means we'll be giving you a list of ways to occupy your time without the Gunners this weekend, so stay tuned!
  

Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal: Arsenal, Defined

Ow. My pride. Pic via Sky Sports.

Chelsea 2: Drogba 8, 23
Arsenal 0

ar-se-nal (AHR-suh-nl or AHRS-nuhl)
-verb
To set-up a situation with a flashy combination of panache, skill, and accuracy, only to have said situation fall through in the end.
Ex:
Guy 1: I totally Arsenalled this girl last night. Met her at the bar then sweet talked her back to my place.
Guy 2: And?
Guy 1: Well, then I couldn't get her bra off and nothing happened.

Doesn't it always feel like that, fellow Gooners? For all of the fancy possession Arsenal may keep, there is always something lacking at the finish. Maybe this would all be different if van Persie didn't have his ankle destroyed in a meaningless game in November. Maybe it's time to stop using that as an excuse, now that the transfer window has come and gone.

Let's start with a math problem. 1, 7, 8, 10. Which number is smallest?

These numbers are the height differences, in inches, between Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and Arsenal's forwards. 7 (Nasri), 8 (Walcott), and 10 (Arshavin) started. 1 (Bendtner) played 25 minutes. There's a problem here. Arsenal won no aerial balls in the box today. Sure, maybe Bendtner isn't 100% fit yet. But his impending fitness was the reason Wenger used to make no personnel moves in January. No, none of this adds up at all.

Remember what I said about the counter-attack last time? If everybody has to keep coming forward to make-up for the height disadvantage, the Gunners will be continuously burned on the counterattack. Chelsea made today's game 2-0 at the tail end of a five minute period where Arsenal held possession over 70% of the time. That's not something a title winning team allows to happen.

Theo Walcott and Manuel Almunia have advanced from the level of frustrating to a level so strong that I don't have a word for it. Walcott did nothing today, except for briefly get hurt when he collided with Alex Song. Almunia got lost on Drogba's first goal, then didn't flinch on his second which passed approximately two inches away from his left hand. Move slightly to the left and get in the way! It's your fucking job!

Fabregas, Arshavin, Song, and a few others just look generally frustrated. They've got pieces to the puzzle but seem to have no idea how they fit together. Or, says Alan Davies, the Bronze Age continues.

HT: Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal

I was going to live blog this game, but it would've quickly devolved into incomprehensible yelling.

Expect a long rant later, barring some awesome miracle.

Gooner Book Club: Words of Wisdom

Nick Hornby on Arsenal fans v Chelsea fans:

It is true to say that while I made a natural Arsenal supporter -- I too was often dour, defensive, argumentative, repressed -- my father belonged at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were flamboyant, unpredictable and, it has to be said, not the most reliable of teams; my father had a taste for pink shirts and theatrical ties, and, stern moralist that I was, I think I felt that he could have done with a little more consistency.

Preview: Chelsea v. Arsenal

Robin van Persie scored twice in this fixture last year. I feel like we could really use him these days... Pic via Arsenal.com.

Stamford Bridge, London
Sunday, February 7
1600 GMT, 11:00 am EST

• Referee: Mike Dean
  
• This Match, Last Year: Chelsea 1 - 2 Arsenal
  
• Arsenal's Recent Form: W-D-W-W-D-L
• Chelsea's Recent Form: D-W-W-W-W-D
  

Predicted Line-Up
guesses italicized

Almunia
Sagna - Gallas - Vermaelen - Clichy
Fabregas - Song - Denilson
Nasri - Bendtner - Arshavin

Subs from: Fabianski, Traore, Campbell, Rosicky, Ramsey, Eboue, Walcott
Out: Merida (ankle), Vela (knee), Eduardo (hamstring), Diaby (calf), Gibbs (foot), Van Persie (ankle), Djourou (knee)

• On a scale of one to a bazillion, comprehending the importance of this fixture is exacerbating my bronchitis.
• Arsenal currently sits six points behind their Sunday hosts, or two wins out of first.
• After Sunday, there will be 13 games remaining in the season. An Arsenal win means they'll have 13 games to make up a one-win margin. Lose, and it's 13 games to make up a three-win margin. This does slightly ignore that Arsenal's behind Man United as well, so shhhh!
  
• Stating the obviousness of this match's importance!
• AHHHH! SO IMPORTANT!
• Abou Diaby is questionable for the match, still nursing his calf injury. He is not yet back to normal training. A decision will likely be made Saturday. We here at Hipster Gooner might be too drunk to update you.
• Eduardo is still out, suffering from a hamstring injury he suffered at Villa Park.
• Wait, when did Carlos Vela get hurt?
• I'd prefer if Denilson did not start, as he has done nothing but look lazy and stop running on the pitch as of late. But, he probably will start anyway.
  
• Some kind of John Terry joke!
• DID I MENTION THIS MATCH IS IMPORTANT!
• In their last seven matches against Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal have lost six, drawn one, and won nothing.
• MAKE IT STOP!
• Some sort of greedy jerk named Ashley Cole is expected to start for Chelsea, returning from an ankle injury.
• Arsenal has only won two of its last 15 competitive matches against Chelsea.
• The last four meetings between the two sides have been won by the away team.
• Chelsea has yet to concede a goal to another Big Four side this season. Arsenal has allowed nine.
• Chelsea has not lost a match at Stamford Bridge since November 30, 2008, the last time they hosted Arsenal. That's 35 matches in all competitions.
  
• 15 of Chelsea's 20 goals conceded this season have come from set pieces. I take that as bad news for Arsenal.
• In his last nine matches against Arsenal, Didier Drogba has scored ten goals.
  
• For the third straight preview, I get to mention that Arsene Wenger is one win away from 300 for his Premier League career.
• AHHH! THIS MATCH IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ARSENAL'S SEASON!!!
• It has been almost a year since an Arsenal player has been sent off. That was Emmanuel Eboue against Tottenham on February 8, 2009. And, now it's been jinxed. Blame Guardian for bringing it up.
  
• This will be former Chelsea defender William Gallas's 100th match with Arsenal.
  

Boaz Myhill: Honorary Gooner, Again

Thank you, Boaz Myhill
For helping Arsenal
You really have the skill
To frustrate teams with Hull

Before, you shut out Spurs
And held Chelsea to one
How rarely that occurs
The race is not yet won

Pic via Metro.

On January 16, Arsenal fans were delighted to see Boaz Myhill keep a clean sheet as Hull City surprisingly earned a 0-0 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Today, an even bigger result, as Hull stifled Chelsea to a 1-1 draw. Instead of having an eight point lead going into this Sunday's match at Stamford Bridge, the lead is just six.

This once again proves my theory that nobody wants to win the Premier League this year.

Aston Villa 0 - 0 Arsenal: I Didn't Drink Enough for This

Aston Villa 0
Arsenal 0

Well, that didn't go well.

I have to admit, it was not easy for me to keep tabs on this match. It wasn't going to be televised until 5:00, and since I have to know what's going on live, I decided to follow it from home, could not find a stream that worked for more than five minutes, and spent the last ten minutes of the match refreshing a search for "Arsenal" on Twitter to know what was happening.

Here's what I do know:

• Eduardo hurt his hamstring (I did see that happen) and will not be out for a long time, but will miss Sunday against Manchester United.
• Tom Vermaelen, on the other hand, looks to be more seriously injured. It's his fibula and it's either a nerve problem or it's broken.
• It's a good thing Arsenal might get Chris Smalling from Fulham.... oh... wait.... they failed and he's going to Manchester United next year.
  
• FUCK!
• I did see both Arsenal shots that hit the woodwork. I especially noticed Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky collide instead of shooting for the open net after Fabregas's post in first half stoppage time.
• Gael Clichy was completely outplayed by Ashley Young for 90 minutes.
  
• Chelsea won 3-0 thanks to that deal with Satan they must've made. Arsenal is now third in the table.
• Arsene Wenger spoke of Aston Villa's "long-ball" game, which caused Martin O'Neill to go apeshit insane.
  
• Also, I hear Wenger said O'Neill looks like a dork.
  

News Roundup 1/14/10 - The Senderos Remains Pissed Edition

Philippe Senderos cannot stop the voices in his head from telling him to leave, so he'll just go with them now. Pic via Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth.

• Well, this was bound to happen. As he continues to slide down the depth chart at center-back, Philippe Senderos wants a permanent transfer from Arsenal. We here at Hipster Gooner will have a longer post about the situation on defense later today. [BBC]
• Craig Eastmond inked a new long-term contract yesterday. I have no witty comment. [Arsenal.com]
• New Bolton boss Owen Coyle is pessimistic about a Jack Wilshere move to the Reebok, due to Arsenal's injury situation. [ESPN Soccernet]
• Speaking of pessimists, remember Tom Vermaelen's "if we play like that again, it's all over" stuff from Monday? Well, now Chelsea's John Terry is saying the exact same stuff. So, basically every team thinks they're done if they slide any more. Prediction: Nobody wins the Premier League. [Guardian]
• Unlike Bolton, FC Twente, which really doesn't sound Dutch, is optimistic that they can sign Jack Wilshere. Oh, those crazy Dutch! [Telegraph]
• Again, later today, a post on the state of Arsenal's defense corps. Tomorrow, a preview of the weekend's action.