Arsenal breaks Chelsea hoodoo: ontd

ivyarchive in ontd_football

Arsenal breaks Chelsea hoodoo

Dec 28, 2010 00:38

Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea
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Arsenal goal scorers: Alex Song (44), Cesc Fabregas (51), and Theo Walcott (53)

Inside: analysis, Arsene Wenger press conference, interviews with Thierry Henry, Arsene, Cesc and Theo, massive HQ pic spam (Theo fans will be happy) and gifs!

Arsenal imposed their authority on the Premier League title race in emphatic fashion with a stylish victory over Chelsea at The Emirates.

Arsene Wenger admitted halting a barren run of 11 games in all competitions against closest rivals Chelsea and Manchester United - including 10 defeats - would provide a psychological lift as they bid to secure their first silverware since 2005.

And they will take huge confidence from the manner and margin of their first win against Chelsea since a 2-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge in November 2008.

Alex Song put them on the path to victory with a goal seconds before the interval, but the real damage was inflicted on Chelsea with a double salvo from Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott in the space of two minutes just after the restart.

Branislav Ivanovic's header set up the prospect of an anxious last 30 minutes for Arsenal, but it never materialised as they held out comfortably in the face of a timid Chelsea challenge.

Didier Drogba, for so long the scourge of Arsenal with 13 goals in 13 games before this defeat, remained a peripheral figure and his only flash of serious aggression came in an angry confrontation with Chelsea captain John Terry after Walcott put Arsenal three up.

Full article at BBC Sports

Wenger: 'We are not bullied any more that's for sure'

On the self-belief his team will gain from the win…
It was a double impact. Mathematically, it keeps us in touch with the leaders of the league. And psychologically, it was important. We were questioned about our capability of winning big games. I’m happy with the desire in the team. We kept good discipline in the team for 90 minutes and put in a real team performance. It can be a very pivotal moment, but we have to respond away at Wigan on Wednesday night in a game where we want to turn up and take points. We know to beat the big teams at home will have an important impact on this league.

On what his side did differently to the past…
For example, two years ago with the same players we were maybe battered by Chelsea. Last year we felt we were getting closer. This year, at United and Chelsea, we were more frustrated because we were more in the game and there was no real difference. Maybe we played a bit with the handbrake. It was a slow learning process that we got out of our system tonight. Overall, some players - Fabregas said we were maybe scared to win. There were strong words, but maybe there was something in it. We didn’t see that tonight. It was a locked game at the start, but the first goal gave a huge advantage.

On his plans for the January transfer window…
To be honest you always have to look outside, but we have everybody back now and I have a big squad. We have Vermaelen and Gibbs to come back. To find better players on the market than those I have, especially in winter, will be very difficult.

On Chelsea’s vulnerability…
It is always difficult when you concede just before half-time when the game is so tight and especially in a big game. Then we got two big goals. They’re a team that haven’t won recently and the drop of confidence must have been felt. They must have felt they had a team with huge desire up against them. You never know with them - they have so many experienced players - so we didn’t expect any weakness of them before the game. We took our chances well and, at 1-0, we took advantage of catching them on the break. At 3-0 you have to gamble. I still count Chelsea as one of the big contenders of the League. I do not think they’re out of it - not at all - after their defeat tonight.

On the physical strength shown by his side…
We were good in the challenges tonight. We’ve improved on that front. We have more dimension in our team in all the duels.

On his team ‘becoming men’…
We are not bullied any more. That is for sure. It’s always very difficult to say because every game is different, but I feel we have matured over the last two years. But this League is very difficult to predict. Every game is difficult for everybody. We have to show we’ve got that out of our system and show we can be consistent.

On the title race…
No, I don’t think we’re very far. We’re in December and in touch with Manchester United. We have to be at our best and continue to improve. I hope the victory tonight will convince the team that we are moving in the right direction and we continue to improve. 
On questions over Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Chelsea…
I personally rate Ancelotti very highly and I cannot believe that.

Source

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was interviewed before the match:

"When it comes down to Arsenal, my heart always talks first."

Gunnersaurus and a junior Gooner greet the players as they arrive

Post-match interview with Arsene Wenger:

Post-match interview with Cesc and Theo:

Lampard cops a feel

As the Guardian described it:
13 min: Terry loses his way in midfield and then loses the ball ... and then aborts Arsenal's counter-attack by pulling down Van Persie. Outrageously the ref only lectures him. He doesn't have the England armband any more, you know, officials are allowed to book him now.