Sunday, January 20, 2013

Post Chelsea-Match Analysis

Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1, and this gave Chelsea and Spurs a very very comfortable position in the Champions League zone. Arsenal is six points behind Spurs, now. 

It was unacceptable first half, as Arsenal played very poorly and made Chelsea played like Barcelona, and dominating the game comfortably. They even have already taken the lead in the first six minutes, when Juan Mata slotted home. Things going worse as Szczesny brought Ramires down in the area, and Lampard converted the penalty to double the lead. Chelsea could've finish it in the first half with few more goals, but it stand as it was, 2-0. Arsenal were outclassed, tactically, and individually, I have to admit. Too many ball lost in own area, after some of players decided to dribble past the opposition in own area - something they shouldn't do too often.

 Jack Wilshere battled with Ramires
(photos from Arsenal.com)
Second half was Arsenal's game, despite two clear cut chances from Chelsea by Torres - saved by Szczesny, and Ba - cleared off the line by Vermaelen. Arsenal pushed forward, but only managed to find one goal from Walcott after picking Cazorla's sublime pass in the 58th minutes. Arsenal was getting numbers of corners and freekicks but no real threat from set pieces.

Recently, Arsenal has been playing very poorly in the first half, and the opposition delivered heavy blow in the first half, the Gunners started playing better. Away games to Reading and Bradford in League Cup, then home game against Newcastle. The same thing happened in this game. First half was a total disaster, and no one is playing well, except Wilshere and Coquelin, who ran everywhere to chase the ball. Second half was much better, but with Chelsea already had two goals advantage, they can just sit back to defence, and wait for chance for counter attack, a tactic that nearly paid, had Vermaelen not blocked Demba Ba's shot.

Giroud was not the striker we need. Arsenal, as long as I know, is not really friendly place for a towering striker. You can argue Adebayor was Giroud-esque, but Adebayor had more pace, compared to the Frenchman. Arsenal's success striker mostly are pacey striker, Wright or Henry; or technical striker, like Bergkamp, Kanu, and the Dutch betrayer. An old fashioned striker like Giroud, is not really suitable for Arsenal's style of play, or probably - and I hope - , he is still adapting ini his first year in England. Chamakh is already off-fire, while Bendtner only playing well for his first and second season before becoming overconfident and failed to shine.

Bacary Sagna is not the player we used to know, consistent, decisive, and solid. After last season's injury, Sagna seemed declined drastically. I could say he was one of the top right back in world two seasons back. But now, he looked like decent full back. His delivery was all wrong in this match. He got lot of space down the right, but his crossing was nowhere nearing his best. The second goal was also his fault, for playing to narrow, leaving Ramires so free on Chelsea's left side. Against City, Sagna was also poor, misplaced few passes from the start of the game. Time to try Jenkinson - despite his mistake against Swansea in the League on December, I guess.

Diaby was also another disappointment in this match. On the first half, he failed to cover the pitch well, and failed to make impact from the middle, before replaced by Arshavin in the second half.

On the other hand, there's some encouraging notes from this match. Jack Wilshere, once more showed he would be the one driving Arsenal forward this season. His passing was excellent, and some of his chips were dangerous. He should be played down the middle, even if it means to sacrifice Cazorla to either flank. Francis Coquelin looks like Chamberlain last season, a good team player who rarely got chance. He was a better performer in the first half, and he was never scared to move forward, or challenge the opposition player. If he could play consistently, I can imagine Arsenal's engine consisting of Wilshere and Coquelin in cetnral for the next few seasons.

For Wenger, he'd better another striker, to make it more competitive, as there's no central striker anymore in Arsenal beside misfiring Giroud, after Chamakh is loanned out. Buying Adrian Lopez would make sense, but we need someone who can change the game. I haven't seen Adrian a lot, so I'm still unsure of this man. Fernando Llorente is another target but it is another old fashioned target man, like Giroud. Cavani would be a coup, but Wenger said he doesn't want to splash on cash on Cavani. Demba Ba is already taken by Chelsea. So we can just wait and see who Wenger buy this transfer windows. I wish Wenger would make a big transfer for Arsenal - even if it means he is cuptied in Champions League - at least he could save us in the Premier League.

Another defensive midfielder would be a great additon. It is true that we have Coquelin and Arteta, plus Diaby - if you insist that he is a defensive midfielder. Diame from Wigan would be an excellent transfer, as he is already used to Premier League, and not Cuptied for the Champions League. He could sit deep, and giving Cazorla and Wilshere the freedom to move forward. He is a strong defensive midfielder we've been waiting for. Fellaini would be an expensive alternative, but recently he was playing as attacking midfielder, so buying him would not resolve Arsenal's problem.

There is still time for Wenger to buy players. 9 days is short, but anything still could happen in the short time, IF Wenger really wants to make a move in this winter trasnfer windows.

Well, Wenger is Wenger after all, and I'm not hoping too much for him. Few years he hasn't buy anyone in this period, except Arshavin, who helped Arsenal to climb to fourth place four years back. Let's just hope Wenger could find another Arshavin, or Arsenal could play like second half in Stamford Bridge, consistently. Otherwise, we might not seen Arsenal in Champions League - or even Europa League - next season.