This was a game defined by an extraordinary period either side of half-time that Arsenal fans will believe provides the catalyst for their season. Arsenal were utterly irresistible for 10 minutes, pouncing on uncertainty in the Chelsea ranks to score through Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and the outstanding Theo Walcott. Branislav Ivanovics header briefly gave Chelsea hope, but it proved illusory. Usually so powerful against Arsenal, Chelsea were anaemic, their lack of force encapsulated in the sluggish movement of Didier Drogba. Physically, mentally and technically, Arsenal were up for the challenge. And to think that some people had questioned Arsène Wengers right to rule. Keep The Faith, as one banner read.
While Wenger will relish the confidence flooding through his players, and the tables reflection of Arsenals upward mobility, Carlo Ancelotti will feel like a lonely man this morning. The statistics make brutal reading. Chelsea have taken only six points from a possible 24. Having led the league by five points, they are six points off the pace, with a tricky game against Bolton on Wednesday. How the mighty are falling. Longer-term issues have undermined Ancelotti, such as the need to cut costs and reduce the squad size, but the decision to dismiss Ray Wilkins on Nov 11 removed much of the glue that kept the squad together. Chelsea were four points clear at the time.
Wilkins was hardly one of the greatest coaches, but his relentlessly upbeat character was an important quality. Without him, Chelsea look in mourning, gaps showing in the dressing-room unity. John Terry and Drogba exchanged verbals after Arsenals third. At the final whistle, only Terry, Drogba, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Petr Cech went across to salute their fans. If Roman Abramovich still wants Ancelotti to stay, he needs to back him with public words of support and substantial transfer funds. The oligarch should be alarmed by this performance. Walcott was excellent, forcing Cole deep, and worrying the Chelsea left-back into a rash lunge and a booking. On the left flank, Samir Nasri was using technique, as much as pace, to insinuate his way past Paulo Ferreira. Fabregas was an increasing menace through the middle.
Battles broke out all over the Emirates, increasingly in Arsenals favour. Nasri took on Ferreira. Arsenal fans tested their choral ingenuity against Cole.
Walcott particularly examined the credentials of Cole. "Theo, Theo" chanted the home hordes, enjoying the problems Walcott was causing. Arsenal refused to be daunted physically or mentally. Laurent Koscielny put in a terrific tackle on Drogba. Then Fabregas embarked on a wonderful dribble, guiding the ball away from John Obi Mikel, Lampard, Mikel again and Michael Essien before Cole blocked the opportunity. Robin van Persie then caught Mikel late and went into Mark Clattenburgs book.
Arsenal really began to threaten. Nasri, teed up by Van Persie, forced a save from Cech. The Dutchman shot wide. Jack Wilshere, embodying Arsenals new belief, stole the ball off Drogba. Walcott kept getting behind Cole and Terry. As the siege began, Chelsea were indebted to Drogba for two headed clearances. Arsenal sensed vulnerability in the champions. Nasri controlled Bacary Sagnas square pass with one touch. His next was sumptuous, chipping the ball goalwards, denied only by the athletic Cech. The pressure told just before the break. Nasri began the move, drifting in from the left. Song and Wilshere combined, Fabregas became involved and the ball eventually squirmed to Song, whose finish was low and hard, angled past Cech. The Emirates loved it, chanting, "Weve only got one Song".
One-nil to the Arsenal swiftly became 2-0. Six minutes after the restart, Van Persie and Terry contested possession and the loose ball fell to Essien. The Ghanaian midfielder poked it back towards Cechs goal, not anticipating Walcotts lurking presence. The Arsenal flier was off and running, haring down the inside right before drawing Cech and squaring to Fabregas for the simplest of finishes. There was more, amazingly so. Two minutes on and Chelsea erred again. Initially there seemed little danger as Ivanovic controlled a Gael Clichy punt and knocked the ball left to Terry. Chelseas captain nudged it forward to Florent Malouda, who failed to appreciate that Walcott was steaming in, pressing hard and forcing the turnover. Fabregas nicked the ball and dinked it down the channel for Walcott. As Ivanovic slid in, the England winger fired unerringly past Cech.
The alarm bells ringing loud, Chelsea awoke, desperately attempting to claw their way back into the game. It seemed a mission improbable. Ivanovic gave them hope, heading in a Drogba free-kick. In a few worrying minutes for Arsenal, blue waves crashed against their ramparts, but they weathered the storm. To stiffen midfield, Abou Diaby came on, replacing Walcott, who departed to a standing ovation. Chelsea never surrendered, particularly Terry and Ivanovic, who ventured forth whenever possible, raging against the fading of their light. Cole also never hid. Arsenal could have soothed any fluttering nerves when Diaby darted through but paused, allowing Lampard to block. It was soon all over bar the shouting for joy from Arsenal fans.
Gary Neville aiambia Man United iajiri kocha mpya mwenye uzoefu kuliko Michael Carrick
Waziri wa Uingereza ampa Rais wa China mpira wa goli la CUNHA na DORGU kama zawadi