**Chelsea 1 – 1 Arsenal**
I don’t think you need to be a genius to have predicted a draw as the outcome for yesterday’s game. Both teams played last weekend and achieved big wins against CL elite clubs midweek. The Chavs had the advantage of both an extra day of rest and playing at home, but Arsenal are a clever, well organised team and can withstand all sorts of pressures, these days.
As Stu called it yesterday, it was an ugly game. The West-London team clearly wanted to disrupt us, which is of course fine. But there was a nasty spirit from the start, and it came as no surprise that they had a player sent off even before half time. I don’t really want to talk about this game too much. I did not enjoy it for various reasons and I don’t think it needs much analysis.
**So here are 8 very, very quick observations:**
1. Hincapie I salute you. Passion with class is what we want at Arsenal; something the Chavs can only dream of. Great defensive performance relatively, and what a fine, fine cross at the end to almost take all three points. Big Gab will want to get back asap.
2. MosqCapie partnership worked well given the circumstances. Maybe the biggest thing we can take from this game is that we indeed have great backup for Saliba and Gabriel. There is nothing better than finding out about new players (and combinations) than playing these sorts of matches.
3. Mikel Merino that was a masterclass of staying calm and being the boss on the pitch, and what an equaliser. The best Gunner on the pitch.
4. As GoonerEris pointed out yesterday, we missed the cunning and passing ability of Leandro on our left wing. Neither Martinelli or Madueke shun yesterday.
5. Bukayo had a tough game against the hairy Spaniard but he had the last laugh with a sublime action and cross that led to the equaliser. At times Saka seemed to try and force it too much, but with Gyokeres and Odegaard now back in the team, I think we will start seeing the very best of our boy wonder again very soon.
6. Rice and Zubimendi had good games but Eze seemed a bit lost in this encounter. It was good to see Odegaard back on the pitch, but he was clearly still rusty, which is of course understandable.
7. It was good to see MLS take over from Calafiori without any negative impact. In fact, I thought he had a fine game during the second half.
8. Let’s make a mental note of how our opponents approached this game and make sure we will thump them when they come to the home of football. Let’s show them who is boss in London.
**By TotalArsenal.**