Arsenal vs. Chelsea, recap and Gunners’ player ratings (Part 1)
Last night, Arsenal suffered their second successive defeat in the Barclay English Premier League, losing to fierce rivals Chelsea two to nil, in an exciting super Sunday match at Stamford Bridge, London.
This match was of utmost importance as the pride of London was at stake. Premier league leaders, Chelsea took on their city rivals, Arsenal who were on third position of the table.
Undoubtedly, it was a clash which showed some quality football played by both of the sides. Chelsea prevailed in this crucial London derby fixture thanks to two wonderful strikes from Didier Drogba and Alex. Moreover, Arsenal was guilty of some poor finishing
from the frontline which cost the Gunners dearly.
Arsene Wenger’s new signing, Laurent Koscielny, had a wonderful opportunity to put his team in front in the starting seconds of the match. But Koscielny didn’t avail that golden opportunity and headed the ball over the post.
Later on, Didier Drogba made Arsenal pay for their missed chances and scored a fabulous back heel goal in the first half. Arsenal dominated possession in the early minutes of the second half, but failed to produce an equaliser.
Arsenal’s heading machine, Marouane Chamakh, had a gilt-edged opportunity in the sixtieth minute, but he failed to make full use of it. Thomas Rosicky was brought into the action after seventy minutes. Rosicky proved to be an impact substitutes as he ignite
more attacking fire in weak Gunners side, but Arsenal failed to find the net.
Furthermore, Chelsea’s inform striker, Nicolas Anelka also wasted a golden opportunity to double the lead in the second half when he missed the one on one chance with the keeper by putting the ball outside of the net. But the Brazilian defender did Gunners
no such favours.
Alex scored a brilliant goal from a 30 yard free kick. Alex’s long range, pin point free kick gave a glimpse of ‘Legendary’ Roberto Carlos, who was famous for scoring such kind of goals. Moreover, Alex’s goal sealed the game from Chelsea and ensured all
three possible points from this essential fixture.
Arsenal performed well yesterday despite losing to Chelsea. Even though Arsenal’s big guns were absent in this fixture, the Gunners did show the right attitude. Without a doubt, the Gunners were missing their superstars in this crucial fixture, which made
them suffer their second consecutive defeat in English Premier League.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Lukasz Fabianski: Rating: 8/10
Lukasz Fabianski’s performance against Chelsea was extraordinary. Without a doubt, Fabianski was Man of the Match for Arsenal. For a while it looked like that the Gunners were witnessing a world class goalkeeper standing between their posts.
His extra ordinary form in yesterday’s match gave Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal community a huge relief. Arsenal was going through a goal keeping crisis and Lukasz Fabianski proved to be their saviour.
The Polish goalkeeper of Arsenal looked shaky early on in the match, but as the match progressed he began to gain some confidence. Both goals, which Arsenal conceded were not at all his fault. Those two goals were unstoppable. Even a world class keeper like
Casillas could not save those two goals.
All in all, it was a good game for the 25-year old keeper and hopefully he will be able to engrave his name in the starting eleven of Arsenal.
Gael Clichy: Rating: 6.5/10
The left back worked tirelessly for the sake of the team. The French defender completely dominated the left flank but his crossing was not up to the expected standard. Clichy also helped in Arsenal’s attacking style of play but was not able to provide a
breakthrough for the Gunners. Gael Clichy had a decent game and did not make any glaring errors.
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