Arsenal were six points below Chelsea and a loss in the London derby will result in a 9 points gap and an almost impossible task to make the top four.
Goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny ensure Arsenal halved the points and position themselves for a top-four challenge.
I look at the top 5 talking points of the game.
Ramsey is vital for Arsenal.
Aaron Ramsey have been the subject of contract renewal saga that have been going on for quite some time. He has now decided to join Juventus with rumours that a pre-contract deal have been agreed on. Despite the uncertainty regarding his Arsenal future, Ramsey has given his all when called upon and he showed in the London derby what Arsenal will miss when he is gone.
An energetic box to box midfielder, he was tasked with the responsibility of man-marking Jorginho to nullify the Italian threat and effectively destroy Sarriball. He did that diligently and was all over the pitch. You need someone like Ramsey in a game like this where you need to continue pressing the opposition team. He is determined, energetic, and with the never say die spirit. Ramsey will definitely be missed in the Arsenal midfield.
Lacazette is the man for the big moment.
Aubameyang may be the prolific goalscorer and highest goalscorer. The truth is Lacazette is the man for the big games.
The French man have showed over time that he is not one to go into hiding in top matches. Having scored against Manchester city, Liverpool, Manchester united, A.Madrid, and Tottenham, he found the net against Chelsea. This shows he fears no team and he can score against any team be it small or big teams. He is a striker that believes in all-round play rather than focusing on just goals.
Arsenal play well with a back four.
I said before the game that Arsenal need to switch to a back four if they hope to get anything out of this match. Emery is a very tactical coach and have utilised numerous tactics this season. From 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 to a 3 man defense formation. Emery tried everything. With a back 3 Arsenal fullbacks turned wingbacks tend to overlap leaving space for opposition players to exploit. When the opposition team counters, the attacking winger just need to draw a centre back out of position and make a cross which will result in a goal. Apart from Torreira who added some bite in the midfield, the rest are mostly bypassed in those kind of situations. Switching back to a back four mean Kolasinac and Bellerin will have to assume the full back role and not overlap too much. It is effective against teams with pacy and skillful wingers like Chelsea. Against smaller teams, it let Arsenal control the match more unlike 3 man at the back formation.
Chelsea need a number 9
Do not underestimate the influence a number 9 have in top matches. Manchester City played Chelsea without a recognised striker and they lost two nil. Chelsea played Arsenal without a recognised striker and lost two nil.
Utilizing Hazard in a false 9 role may work in certain matches, but it is destined to fail in most matches.
Hazard was played in the false 9 role and flanked by Willian and Pedro. For most part of the game Hazard left his role and drifted out wide. Crosses from Azpilicueta was dealt with relative ease by Koscielny who has no problem clearing the ball to safety. There was no threat for Chelsea in the Arsenal box. With the misfiring Morata and Giroud not deemed good enough to start, Sarri used Hazard as a false 9 and it backfired. It shows that the blues need a prolific number 9 immediately.
Chelsea need a plan B
With Jorginho man-marked, Chelsea attack crumbled. In my post titled Sarriball: The beginning of the end, I highlighted some of the flaws of Sarriball. Two of them played out yesterday.
- Kante being played out of position
- No plan B
Man-marking Jorginho does it all. That post was made 2 months ago but it's still relevant anytime Chelsea lost because they simply fail to address the flaws mentioned above.
- Siggurdson man-marked Jorginho
- Dele Alli man-marked Jorginho
- Aaron Ramsey man-marked Jorginho
The results were the same. It is time for Sarri to find a plan B for his fading style.
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