THE RACE FOR 4TH IS ON

by Omkar Rege

Gone are the days when Arsenal vs Chelsea used to be a war for the number one spot. it used to be a battle for London supremacy. A fixture so historical and filled with so many legends that doing an all time combined 11 of these two clubs will be a massive debate. But this season with Liverpool and Man City playing a league of their own and Tottenham slowly tagging along, it has all been about the battle for the fourth place which virtually guarantees a team a spot in the champions league next season.

A win for Chelsea would've strengthened their position in 4th as they would've been nine points clear of Arsenal who were in 6th place before the start of this game. The Gunners however had a point to prove after their substandard performance against West Ham the week before which they did by putting on a resilient show against Chelsea that saw them beat the blues 2-0 on home territory on Saturday night keeping the gap to just 3 points between them and 4th. 

Unai Emery got his tactics right by playing a 4-4-2 diamond formation which suppressed the Chelsea midfield. He deployed Ramsey to mark Jorginho who is the key man to Chelsea's build up play and effectively stopped the supply. With a narrow diamond midfield however, Chelsea was naturally afforded large gaps in the wide areas, which they looked to exploit with Alonso bursting forward and crossing the ball inside the box, but it was a lack of a target man in the starting 11 that wronged Chelsea as there was no one inside the box at the end of those crosses with Hazard although playing as a false nine, was naturally dropping in midfield in his usual position.

It was a fast start from the gunners as they pressed Chelsea high up the pitch with Ramsey playing at the tip of the diamond and Aubameyang and Lacazette pressuring the two centre backs to make

mistakes, which Luiz did in just 30 seconds when he made a poor pass to Rudiger which Ramsey got on the end of and Arsenal almost capitalized.

From then on Arsenal kept pushing and unsettling the Chelsea defence which resulted in Chelsea dropping deep in their own half and Arsenal having control of the ball, until finally in the 12th minute after a series of set pieces, one corner kick which was taken short by Xhaka to Bellerin who crossed it inside the box to Lacazette who took three sumptuous touches taking it away from Pedro and Alonso

produced a scintillating goal.

Arsenal kept on going further and controlled the first half well with Chelsea only having one clear chance which Pedro chipped just away from goal.

But another Arsenal set piece just before the first half resulted in a 2nd Arsenal goal, this time coming from a free kick which Xhaka took and it was headed by Kolasinac to Sokratis who sort of made a volleyed pass to a willing Koscielny who headed it away from Kepa and into the net. Replays showed that the Frenchman shouldered it but Koscielny's joy knew no bounds as the gunners finished the first half 2-0.

Second half, Chelsea amplified their intensity which meant Arsenal had to drop deep and defend out of their skins which they did brilliantly with Sokratis and Koscielny leading the line and making some terrific clearances. Despite Chelsea having 70% possession in the second  half, they only managed one shot on target that too late on in the 81st minute. Unai Emery managed the game well especially in the second half when he took off  Ramsey and Lacazette in the 68th minute and switched the formation to a 4-5-1 which meant Chelsea had to go through a wall of Arsenal defence which they couldn't and the gunners sealed the game keeping their hopes of a top 4 finish well alive. 

Some thoughts on the players;

PIERRE EMERICK AUBAMEYANG

Led the attacking line well and stifled the Chelsea defence with his pace, drawing them out of position and creating space for Kolasinac to cross. He also did his defensive duties well, something he has been criticized for not doing in the past. Overall a good performance.

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE

Worked his socks off and and linked the play well. He pressed the Chelsea defence and also scored a fantastic goal similar to the one he did away at Cardiff back in September. He had a brilliant game overall.

AARON RAMSEY

Even though he's leaving at the end of the season, his professionalism is commendable. Worked hard and pressed well on Jorginho which stopped the Chelsea supply. Sad that he's leaving but another fantastic display from him.

MATTEO GUENDOUZI

Another disciplined display from the French youngster. He pressed well and passed he ball around intelligently.

GRANIT XHAKA

Linked up the play from behind, some of his passing was excellent. Took all the set pieces well and had a disciplined game overall.

LUCAS TORREIRA

He keeps looking better and better every week and has settled with the pace of the premier league. Another dominant display from him with his quick passing and bestial tackling.

SEAD KOLASINAC

Did well going forward and also did his defensive work. Kept Pedro at bay for a large part of the game and was very diligent .

SOKRATIS

The word leader comes to mind when describing his performance. He led the defensive line and made some excellent tackles and also got the best out of Koscielny, giving him directions a few times during the match.

LAURENT KOSCIELNY

A man of the match act from him. Not only did he score a goal but also formed a formidable partnership with Sokratis. Some of his tackles and headed clearances were shades of his old self. He can build on this after returning back last month from a horrific injury that kept him on the sidelines for 8 months.

HECTOR BELLERIN

Had a fantastic game right up until he got injured. His passing and especially his link up with Lacazette in the first half was excellent. Sad that he will be out for the rest of the season.  

BERND LENO

Didn't have much to do as the defence in front of him was brilliant. but had a pretty decent game overall. Got a much needed clean sheet. 

SUBS
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES
Intially he was brought on in place of Ramsey to play in his natural central midfield position but after Bellerin got injured he had to be shifted in the right back position, did his defensive work well in the time that he played.
ALEX IWOBI
Was brought on to carry the ball forward against a tiring Chelsea defence but didn't get many chances to so as Arsenal dropped deep in their half, however he looked solid defensively.
MOHAMED ELNENY
Typical Elneny performance, passed the ball around well and kept his midfield steady.