I have mixed emotions about this game. On one hand, we played over half a game against ten men and in such circumstances, with our quality, should always be looking to win the game. Any other result can be deemed disappointing. On the other hand, it has been a busy week with two intense games against Spurs and Bayern. Emerging from Stamford Bridge with a point in that context feels reasonable, especially with a five point cushion at the top after one-third of the season gone. Not having William Saliba available too makes a draw a more favourable outcome. Regardless of how you frame it, I maintain that we require seven points across this game, Brentford (H) and Villa (A) to complete a great week in the Premier League. Otherwise, the recent run of results will start to turn a tad sour following two draws in three. Such demands can feel slightly entitled, but we simply have to be winning the league this season and therefore standards from players, staff and fans alike must remain as high as possible.
In terms of the game itself, I felt that this Chelsea team were the toughest opponent we have faced this season. When it was 11v11, it was only really the low Saka shot that Sanchez saved to his left-hand side that troubled the home side. Chelsea were the better side for 35 minutes and the game had that ominous goal imminent feeling until Moises Caicedo was rightly dismissed. Chelsea brought an aggression to the match which served them well aside from the red card when the Ecuadorian went over the top with a reckless tackle on Mikel Merino that carried excessive force. It was a passionate but cagey London Derby with two good teams producing an absorbing contest. As much as I want us to win every game, my tactical head can appreciate the battle between two well coached sides.
The rest of the first half was largely a non-event and to concede straight after half-time was a hammer blow for us, as we were unable to gather any sort of rhythm to our play since obtaining a numerical advantage. Our response to conceding was good though. I was pleased with the early subs that Mikel Arteta made and to see Odegaard and Eze on the pitch together in a central position is an important tactical option for us moving forward. We tried it at home to West Ham, only for Odegaard to go off injured after 30 minutes. But to be able to use both at times against tight defences where we have all the possession, or like today a goal down and against 10 men is useful. Victor Gyokeres should be licking his lips with that potential service to come his way.
Another observation from the game was Riccardo Calafiori’s slight issue with being dribbled past. Reece James, who was outstanding and certainly man of the match, exposed that weakness, robbing the Italian of possession in the middle of the park before drawing a foul and yellow card. I recall a similar situation against Nottingham Forest where Dilane Bakwa was the recipient of a Calafiori foul that also brought a yellow card. This is not a criticism of the Italian but more just the reality of a player that is somewhere between an orthodox centre-back and left-back and therefore is maybe not in his most natural environment when an opponent is running at him in a 1v1 situation. We have to remember that as good as we are, every player has minor weaknesses. Gabriel’s absence is certainly hampering the left-side of our defence as on Wednesday night against Bayern it was the ball over the top that Myles Lewis-Skelly struggled with on a couple of occasions. Lennart Karl scored his goal from one of those passes, while Josip Stanisic fired wide soon after from a similar situation. We just have to manage as best we can without Gabriel being available – our defending is still excellent, we’re just not as water-tight as previously which is understandable. A single goal conceded in those three matches without Gabriel tells a perfect defensive story – good but not great.
It’s tough as well when certain players are not 100% sharp right now and that’s why a draw today against a tough opponent after two intense games is totally understandable. Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres and Odegaard are just returning from injury. As mentioned, the left-side of our defence misses Gabriel. Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber has perhaps not had as much rest as expected, a) because of his incredible form and b) due to Ben White not hitting the heights he did in 22/23 and 23/24. White admirably played injured during those two seasons at times and since eventually having a spell on the sidelines last term, is yet to replicate that amazing form. Particularly when I’ve seen us live this season, that sharpness in White’s game seems to be lacking, which is tough with no international football for him of course and infrequent minutes for us. Across the pitch, it is a balance for Arteta between rest/rotation to keep everyone happy and sharp but also make sure our best 11 is out there as often as possible. And of course that ‘best 11’ is always evolving during games with the subs we can make and between matches as form and fitness fluctuate.
Overall, I’m still incredibly satisfied with where we’re at right now. Results and performances have been great as has the atmosphere in the stadium, as we all feel something special is coming this season after such a long wait for a league title. Let’s keep this momentum going and get back to winning ways on Wednesday night against Brentford! COYG
Featured Image Credit: I, Andrew, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
AFC Writer 