Chelsea were not spectacular, but they did more than enough to claim the three points and push Arsenal further off the pace.
The first half was cagey for the most part, with Chelsea looking the more dangerous and Arsenal having trouble keeping possession.
Everything changed when Eden Hazard, following an Arsenal giveaway, was able to glide past two Gunners and Koscielny clumsily put his foot out and gave away a penalty, which Hazard dispatched.
The game had a physical edge to it as well, best illustrated by Arsene Wenger’s shove on Jose Mourinho. Arsene had a little more passion than some of his players out on the pitch.
In the second half Arsenal had more of the possession, but could only create half chances, as they looked tentative around the box. The ref denied the Gunners a penalty when Cesc handballed in the box, probably our best shout for something in the game.
In the end the game was won by Cesc Fabregas finding Diego Costa streaking downfield and he easily lobbed Szczesny.
Arsenal couldn’t carve Chelsea open and Wednesday night’s victory was more of a false dawn than a new beginning.
Player Ratings:
Szczesny 5. Only made one good save the entire game, a deflection off Flamini which might have got by him. He needs to come up with a new shtick at penalty time, maybe a Tim Krul impression. Hazard had no fear.
Chambers 5. His fifth yellow card means a suspension and meant he had to be careful the entire second half. Too often shoves people in the back and takes risks. He needs to whip in his crosses as well.
Mertesacker 6. His lack of pace showed on the second goal as Costa was able to glide ahead of him. Had a decent game the rest of the time.
Koscielny 5. Lucky not to be sent off for fouling Hazard. As it was, his penalty gifted them the first goal. On several occasions he went marauding upfield and was lucky the Chelsea counterattacks broke down.
Gibbs 6. A decent outing for Gibbs who kept Ivanovic quiet. He did give the ball away on several occasions.
Flamini 6. A decent match by Flamini, who helped to suppress a number of Chelsea attacks. Probably just as well that Arteta was injured.
Wilshere 6. Looked a little rusty in the first half when a few of his passes didn’t come off. He had one of our best chances of the game, but a poor first touch cost him a chance to test the keeper. Another half chance in the second half was punted over the bar. He injected some pace and drive to our attacks, but his passes around the crowded area failed to penetrate the Chelsea defence.
Ozil 5. Failed to impose himself on the game. He had a few nice touches and passes and he had a few bad ones as well. Pushed off the ball a number of times and the referee wasn’t interested.
Cazorla 7. I liked Santi’s performance and I wouldn’t have pulled him from the match (he looked a little miffed). Yes, he was pushed off the ball several times and he did dribble into a couple of cul-de-sacs, but he was industrious and he was probably our most positive midfielder. He plays a lot better when he is stationed in the middle.
Welbeck 6. He got no support and he really had no real chances the entire game. He did run hard, but cut an isolated figure.
Sanchez 6. Chelsea had it in for him and he was repeatedly fouled and harried. He did injure Courtois early in the first half, but he had very few opportunities throughout the match.
Substitutes:
Oxlade-Chamberlain 5. He was unable to offer anything new to the game.
Rosicky 5. Not enough time to really impact the match.
Podolski 5. Poldi at least managed a shot, which Cech smothered.