3 Things We Learned From Arsenal vs Chelsea

The two London giants locked horns on Monday evening, with the clubs both aiming to keep pressure on leaders Liverpool. After 90 minutes of a pure tactical battle the match ended in a 0-0 draw which means that Liverpool will go into Christmas standing at the top of the table.

Here are the three things we learned from the game.

Timid Arsenal not good enough

 

This game was highly anticipated, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger would finally meet in the Premier League once again, and it was the first time in the league this season that we would see the two dominant London clubs face off against each other. Arsenal never looked like going for the win, at-least what the shots on target say. But Mourinho came with a plan, a defensive setup to sit behind the ball and counter the Gunners which they did with perfection. At the end though Arsenal showed a bit more intention, but they seemed happy with the draw, something Arsene Wenger used to take pride in not doing. However it is a useful tactic, and all of the big clubs in Europe are guilty of playing negatively, but Chelsea were there for the taking, and the Gunners should be disappointed that they are not at the top of the table going into Christmas.

Jose Mourinho must consider a plan B

Chelsea have a good squad, in fact one of the best in the Premier League, but under Jose Mourinho they have become predictable with their steadily physical approach to games. Arsenal were set up in a defensive manner, and Chelsea failed to keep possession for long periods, and also failed to punish Arsenal for the fact that they were going to play for a point. If Mourinho would consider a more wing based attack in such situations, they could win games against teams who are looking to shut the Blues out, as with an ageing Frank Lampard their main goal threat due to their incompetent strikers, it has become far too easy to keep Chelsea quiet.

Liverpool and Manchester City are rewarded for always playing for a win. Arsenal and Chelsea must follow suit.

The two most impressive sides in England this season have been Liverpool and Manchester City. Not just for Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero blitzing Premier League defences as they both have recorded their best ever start to a season, but as their free flowing, attacking has made them the two most feared teams in the Premier League, and also seemingly the two most likely to challenge for the title. Jose Mourinho has built his name on stability, but he can be boring and negative as he showed tonight, while Arsenal usually attack quite a lot, but in big games they seem to lack confidence and prefer to sit back and soak up pressure. If the two capital clubs want to return to the summit of English football, and deserve it, they must take on a similar approach to Liverpool and Manchester City, as currently no club in the Premier League matches up to either.