Still Leaking

photo by donjd2	via PhotoRee

The 148th meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea Monday afternoon was a match much like many others between the two clubs.  For large portions of the game I had the feeling I'd seen this movie before: lots of tiki-taka Arsenal possession, passing and probing, but no worthy Gooner end product, with Chelsea looking to spring Drogba on the counter-attack for a morale-crushing blow.  But ten minutes in the middle of the match told the tale of how things have changed of late between the two clubs, and provided a dramatically different ending than we've become accustomed to, as Arsenal cruised -- that's right, cruised -- to a 3-1 victory.

The papers are full this morning of Carlo Ancelloti's obituary as Chelsea coach, which may be true, but in my opinion at least, would represent a totally undeserved fate for the suave Italian.  The news is also chock-a-bloc with opinions as to how the ghost of Ray Wilkins is still haunting Chelsea's Christmas present, but I feel this is an oversimplification.  Clearly there are problems at Chelsea: age, lack of depth and even more damning -- lack of spirit -- among them, but the bigger question is how did it come to this for a side who won the league -- according to the London-based pundits -- back in October?

The newspapers are also full of Gooner pride, and bold predictions about how Arsenal have finally overcome the dreaded Blue menace, and are now confident enough to go on and win the title.  I don't think so.  This is a good but ultimately flawed and inexperienced Arsenal side, and although i think they'll finish comfortably in second or third place, i don't see them challenging for the title at season's end.

Chelsea's Still Singing the Blues

photo by eschipul	via PhotoRee

Despite their tie with Spurs yesterday, something's still amiss with Chelsea.  Sure, they looked better in the second half, but 45 minutes does not a game make.  In the first half -- sans their malaria-stricken Ivorian super hero -- the Blues looked completely toothless, all bark and no bite.  Anelka was lazy and diffident on offense, and Chelsea rarely looked threatening with him leading the line.  Malouda and Kalou played slightly better, but the Frenchman's scoring touch has deserted him in recent days, as has that of Drogba's smaller Ivorian compatriot.  John Terry was several last ditch toe pokes away from having a diabolically bad game in central defense, and although Paolo Ferreira dealt with Bale, the Welsh wideman was actually one of Spurs' weakest players on the day for my money.

Chelsea were simply outclassed in the middle of the pitch, with Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and Wilson Palacios bossing the game for good portions.  Essien was the best of Chelsea's middle men, although that's not saying much when the other two are Jon Obi Mikel and Ramires.  For the life of me, I fail to see any reason at all to have Mikel in the lineup -- McEachren would be an improvement at this point -- and Ramires appears to be adjusting to the EPL about as well as his Brazilian countryman Robinho did.