Chelsea’s tremendous 6-0 win over London rivals Arsenal has sent shock-waves throughout the Premier League, with Jose Mourinho keeping his unbeaten run against Arsene Wenger up in style.
Everything went right for the Blues on Saturday afternoon, as a sun-soaked Stamford Bridge was privy to one of the most one-sided affairs of the season, making Wenger’s 1000th game in charge of the Gunners one to forget, and fast.
Here are five things we’ve learnt from the Blues’ battering of Arsenal:
Chelsea can can bounce back
The Blues needed a response after losing their last league game against Aston Villa, and they sure did deliver. Arsene Wenger’s side were ripped apart in the first 20 minutes, with Chelsea going three up, and the Gunners going down to ten men.
The game was effectively over as a contest by that point, with Chelsea convincingly banishing the memory of Fabian Delph’s winner at Villa Park last weekend.
Mourinho going for the goals
Not only have the Blues have consolidated their position at the top, but they improved their goal difference as well, which could prove crucial in the title race.
Manchester City and Liverpool are as free-scoring as they come, and many consider Chelsea to be much more defensive minded. But today showed that Mourinho can go for the jugular, with his players putting on an electric show of high-octane football, pressing and harrying the Gunners from the off.
They would do well to keep the intensity up as we move into the business end of the season.
Potentially fatal blow to Arsenal
After a moral boosting victory against Spurs in their Premier League outing, this defeat will obliterate that feel-good feeling at the club, which could irreparably damage their title push.
Although not out of the race yet, being seven points behind Chelsea with a game in hand, the defeat at Stamford Bridge will leave the Gunners feeling vulnerable, with their next game against Swansea a real test of their mettle.
Arsenal continue to struggle against top four sides
The players have let Wenger down, no doubt, but the Frenchman must take a large chunk of blame too. Arsenal were brutally destroyed away from home this season (to Manchester City and Liverpool), it seems like they haven’t learnt from their mistakes yet.
Today they looked like children in a playpen, with no real discipline or tactical direction. The Gunners just couldn’t deal with Chelsea’s fast-paced approach, coupled with the sheer physicality of the midfield and back-line.
Gunners’ squad lacking
Regardless of yet another crippling injury crisis, Arsenal should not be losing 6-0 to anyone. The squad needs looking at this summer, with the likes of Jenkinson, Kallstrom and Sanogo not striking fear into anyone’s heart.
Injuries will lessen the quality of the bench, granted, but considering this happens on a yearly basis, squads such as Chelsea’s and Manchester City’s always have a better chance of coming out on top come the end of the season.
What do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below…
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