The result of Champions. A point when we deserved very little until the last 15 minutes. At two nil down this game was done. We were pretty useless for most of this game. Of course, their goals were a debatable penalty and a fluke goal. But we never connected in that first half. But, if you want to compete for the league, you have to find ways to get points when you don’t deserve any; you have to find ways to not lose. And today we did that.
Right from the start Zinny was tested by Sterling and then made a crazy pass in the box. Soon after even the stalwart Rice made an errant pass in the middle of the pitch. Odegaard was off the pace and uninvolved. It was wonderful to see Saka back but even the hairy Curcello seemed to have his number (with the standard number of fouls). This was a day when we just did not function.
They pressed us and played decent football. Not that Raya had too many saves to make. But right from our sloppy start they managed to press us and minimize any available space in the midfield. So we had to go round the wings where only Martinelli showed some life.
We seemed to have lost our dynamism and creativity. While we retained some possession it seemed to lack intent. They pressed us and we went sideways. They were half decent to be fair and we weren’t. This was very unlike our City performance. They crowded us out.
And then Sterling swung in a cross for VAR to adjudicate. I suppose if that had been us attacking I would have asked for penalty. I don’t know the exact rules but the header from Mudrick was not on target. It certainly hit Saliba’s arm but he had no idea; no intent. I give up trying to figure out how VAR works. It seems no less random than a regular referees decision.
I had thought that Partey might come on at half-time. Rice is wasted in Xhaka’s position. And Jorginho did not look comfortable in that defensive role today. Part of that was due to them not playing a center-forward. Instead they blocked the space around him. And we brought on Tommy instead of Zinny. Actually, I thought this was a smart decision. Sterling had been their best outlet and Tommi can actually defend.
Unfortunately, pretty quickly they fluked their second goal. As much as I want Ramsdale in goal I can’t say Raya was at fault here. Though I don’t think he was faultless either. Anyway, with Ramsdale wife generating a mini-Ramsdale, we were stuck with Raya. He made one decent save today in the second half and then reacted well at the feet of Madueke. But it would not be a match review if I don’t not lament the absence of our Aaron. Raya seems to have a free pass. Because some of his long distribution today was way off – like the City game.
And miracles do happen though. And they started with the arrival of Have-that and ESR which allowed Rice to return to his natural position. And then the game changed and we discovered ourselves. All that possession now had intent. Saka started to get passed the hairy one. Martinelli was being fed the ball. And then Sanchez, who looks to be similarly challenged on his distribution played a wayward pass only for Rice to first time deliver a perfect shot into the unguarded net. Inspirational stuff by a true leader.
From then on Arsenal were awoken just not in a woke way. And this game changed. Chelsea, who had been protecting their lead, wilted. And then Trossard, care of Saka, saved us. A perfectly guided finish from a classic Saka cross. Immediately afterwards Eddie worked hard to create an opportunity. As the momentum shifted, at this point I thought we might steal it. But it was not to be. We should though be very happy with the point when it looked, for the longest time, we’d deserved nothing. This performance was so different from previous ones at the Bridge. It speaks though to the mental toughness and resilience of our side. In the past we’d have withered away and lost this game. But they are not good enough and we are better than previous years.
Though it’s a let down from the euphoria of the City game today was also (again) a testament to the improved strength of our bench. The arrival of subs helped change the momentum of the game. And this was without using Partey. And we were missing the oh so mighty Vieira. Tactily Poch got it right and it took a long time for us to figure it out. But once Rice replaced Jorginho in the base of the midfield our game changed.
Maybe this is what happens after the tedious international break. Of course, it’s the same for them. But the best players out there for us today stayed home. White was excellent. Composed, feisty and controlled. Odegaard are representing the abysmal Norway was barely present today. Fortunately, we brought on ESR. He likes the Bridge; he’s managed a few famous goals here.
Apart from a dubious penalty, Saliba was a graceful as ever supported ably by Gabriel. As often as we recognize the silky skills of Saliba we can often overlook the progress that Gabriel has made. He has progressed from a rough and tough center half who’s distribution was uneven at best. With Zinny alongside him and when Rice is in front of him, he looks more assured and reliable on the ball.
We just need to solve that Xhaka position. It’s just not for Rice. He’s wasted there. Have-that contributed again from the bench and was important in the build-up to our equalizer. He quietly goes about his game. He competes in the air and links up really well. I’m not sure though that he’s a natural Xhaka replacement. But he deserves playing time. I’ll give him that.
Jesus buzzed around today. When we were ever so quiet in the first half, he dropped deeper to try and instigate moves. Often kicked and battered, he works so hard. We are better when he’s in the line-up. Today was the first time this season we started Martinelli, Jesus and Saka. Not that Saka was fully fit or at his best. Martinelli was the most dangerous. But given time these three can gel and ignite this team. As long as Odegaard can find aways to insert himself and dictate games. Today was one of his quietest. He was squeezed for space and had no answers.
In a long season it’s important not to lose games – especially to teams that can compete for the top 4. Today was a symbolic win. A point that should instill more confidence in this team. It can’t afford to perform like they did in the first half. But they’ll know that. And some of that was down to Chelsea. But how they responded was even more important. At 2-0 down this game looked utterly lost. Sure, their goals were fluky but we were pretty pathetic and deserved it. I was more than happy to give up, right this game off and walk away.
There seems to be a belief in this team. One that was not there in prior years. Not there when we lost to Brighton, Newcastle, Palace and all those other bland, average teams we used to lose games to. This team seems to have learned how to earn points even when they are not at their best. I mean, you can’t expect to win games if you only turn up for one half (at best).
Now we have a stretch before the next round of corrupt FIFA international games. God, how they ruin the season. At some point FIFA will move full time to Saudi Arabia and the illusion of being a neutral, Swiss-based entity will be shattered. In the meantime they will set up world cups not just across multiple countries but multiple continents. Sure, that makes it easy for fans. The next world Cup will be split between the Moon and Mars.
Next up is Sevilla. There won’t be much time to rest given our prior CL performance. Hopefully their new manager has only had time to confuse them. We can’t afford to lose this game. So, let’s hope today gave us some confidence. And allowed some of our players to shake off some of the rust from the international break.
In the meantime, we continue to move in the right direction. This team is for real.
-LB7