This was the score I was expecting, actually. The commentators are yapping now about dominant Chelsea was, and I can't argue that they had the better of Arsenal all game, but Arsenal had chances, shots on goal, and possession enough to make the "men against boys" mantra of a disappointed Lee Dixon a bit much. No question, the Blues 11 were better on the day and on the season than the 11 we put out. Enforced rotation in midfield cost us defensive strength and fluidity (thanks a bunch, Granit) and we lost our defensive shape far too easily. I didn't see a lack of effort from the Gunners (well, Ozil did seem his usual nonaggressive self). Iwobi sprinted back to cover, Coquelin did his thing, and Ox was heroic in getting into our box quickly to break things up when our defenders were beaten. But Kante was the best DM out there, without a doubt.
I'm not going to criticize our players. Our frontmen weren't very involved, but that was due to Chelsea concentrating on them, I think. Alexis was denied the ball for the most part and harrassed when he got it. It fell to Iwobi to be the danger man, and he played well. It's a pleasure to see him develop the speed of thought to complement his wonderful skills on the ball. He'll be a great one. Walcott shouldn't have started, of course. What does Perez have to do to get a run on this team? Maybe Welbeck isn't fit for 90 minutes yet, but I'd still have started him ahead of Theo. It's a damned shame Cech embarrassed himself with the giveaway for Cesc's goal (props to him for not celebrating), because if Giroud had scored (not a given, obviously) afterwards, it would have at least given Conte an anxious moment. I agree with Giroud not starting; this wasn't the sort of game he was going to play a role in when the outcome was still in doubt. Alexis was disappointing there too, but he did what he could, given the attention he attracted.
I'm going to disagree with the commentators again on the first goal. Bellerin was given a forearm smash that knocked his head out of the way so Alonso could head the ball. Had Atkinson had a better view of it and blown the whistle, most of the commentators would have agreed with that too. Honestly, I know Chelsea was going to find a way to win this game. But still, that goal should have been disallowed. It's a foul anywhere else on the field too, it was that obvious.
Sometimes you have to acknowledge you lost and you deserved to lose because the team you faced is a better one. We're missing some important players (thanks again, Granit) but Chelsea, with no European football to distract them, and (partly because of it) few injuries, is riding their excellent squad to what looks like a stately procession to their coronation. Ask their fans if they care about not qualifying for the Champions' League every year. They'll take winning it, and the league a few times too.
So, they're saying Arsenal is out of the title race because of this game. No, we're out of the title race because of the Watford, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton, City, United, and Leicester games. The first two alone cost five dropped points at home. You will never win a title dropping points like that. Chelsea could collapse, but it won't be Arsenal picking up the pieces. The have cup competitions too that they now look undermanned for. Let's hope Elneny isn't too banged up when we get him back, and Shad can work his magic on the training table.
I feel a lot better about this game than the last one. But losing always feels bad.
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