Chelsea just dropped two points and looked ordinary
Posted by Arsenalist on February 2nd, 2010
The title says it all. Against Hull. In Hull City. We’re six points back of Chelsea and four back of Man Utd. Assuming Man Utd thrashes Portsmouth this weekend and somehow, just somehow, we beat Chelsea, we’ll have three teams within three points of the top. The race would be back on. Remember, last year we beat them at Stamford Bridge so anything’s possible. Hull had some good counter-attacks going against them and if it weren’t for Boateng wearing wooden shoes, probably could’ve won the game. I figure if Chelsea play on Sunday the way they did today, we’ll be netting three points.
Last year we got a great game from Robin van Persie but this time around we’ll be relying on Nicklas Bendtner who fluctuates between being a total klutz and a heading genius. Nobody knows which Bendtner will show up but if I had to put money on it, I’d say the klutz will. This leaves us looking for other striking options and basically hoping that Eduardo returns to fitness and scores a goal with the outside of his backheel while singing the Croatian national anthem to the tune of the Brazilian one.
I like Eduardo, the guy is composed with the ball but he’s one that can be neutralized if you’re physical against him. We’ve been seeing that of late and until he scored that cracker against West Ham in the FA Cup, was in a miserable run of form. I would not play Arhsavin at striker and instead have him in the “Hleb role”, playing just behind the primary striker where he doesn’t feel the pressure to score and plays unselfish football where he’s looking to pass after his nifty turns.
After that we’re down to Carlos Vela who, as much as I like him, is simply not physically strong enough to handle the Chelsea defenders. For him to score he would have to trick about three defenders with some fancy footwork and then score a perfect goal. That or poach one off a rebound. It stands to be a tall order without RVP and sad to say that we really haven’t replaced Adebayor who was decent for us last year (minus the CL). It’s been beaten to death but the height we lack up front and at the back is fast becoming our Achilles heel.
Caution to the wind. Don’t attack too much. The first five minutes of the Man Utd game were just like the first five minutes of the CL semis last year – constant Arsenal attack. We started off with high energy, threatened to score but didn’t, were exposed in the back and once we conceded, our play flattened out because we were heartbroken. Moral of the story: pace yourself, no need to attack full guns blazing. Chelsea will give you opportunities to score if you simply probe with patience (which is Arsenal’s game, no idea why they went away from it against Man Utd).
So, today was small reason to celebrate.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
LOL that thing about Eduardo was funny
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Sensible post mate.
I too was really pissed off after the ManU game. But I really think that if we win the next 2-3 games and string together a few more wins, we’ll be in the thick of it.
Agreed ManU are currently the form team, seem to have the momentum, and will soon have Vidic and Rio back, but they have a tough run-in and the CL coming up.
Anyway, we need to beat Chelsea first. C’mon you gunners!
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Didn’t expect us to beat Chelsea last year, but we did. Didn’t expect them to hammer us at the Emirates, but they did so anything’s possible. I’d say Arsene will show the whole squad a tape tonight and get them to take heed. Hull took the game to Chelsea but defended very well and fully deserved their point. It just proves anyone can drop points at any time and remember we have by far the easiest run-in. Add the fact that RVP will be back mid-march and suddenly things are looking much rosier again. Personally I’d take a draw at the Bridge and beat Liverpool to get the confidence back up and then give the last 15 or 16 games all we’ve got.
About Bendtner, I don’t care how bad he plays if he sticks a chance or two away but the key will be keeping Drogba quiet. Get Verma or Gallas to man-mark him the entire game and I think we have a chance.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Oh and to distract Terry Fabby just has to run past and whisper ‘I head Vanessa’s watching in the stands’ and the big goof will do his perfect imitation of a chipmunk jumping up and down like a child in a huff and demand that the referee gets her out of the stadium before turning round and realise a certain little Russian maestro is running about telling Stamford Bridge to be quiet
(we can always hope)
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:56 pm
this was great news for me today seeing what chelsea was able to muster against hull…. it’s up to the lads in red sunday to play to their potential & bring it to them with their heads up! Let’s go GUNNERS!
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:17 pm
I had a huge sigh of relief when Chelsea failed to capitalise on us dropping points. But we desperately need to beat them, keep consistent, and hope that United drop some points.
Still in it, but if we lose more ground we can only hope for third.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Hull’s defence was solid except for a few chances… that hopefully almunia can handle haha. But if there’s good communication at the back, i believe we can handle chelsea. They are not unbeatable. They are weak in corners. Aston Villa exploited them there as well.
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:30 am
@Arsenalist
Why the hell doesn’t Wenger read your posts?
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:45 am
LOL to johnny 46
February 19th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Useful and informative tips as always!