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Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3: Real leader John Terry is so 'influencial' as Carlo Ancelotti's men romp home
By Matt Lawton Chief Football Correspondent
Last updated at 1:46 AM on 30th November 2009
To be fair to those chaps who have made such a mess of trying to maximise
John Terry’s commercial potential, they got it half right. Their man is influential.
Not quite among ‘the world’s most influencial (sic) people’ but hugely influential within the boundaries of a football pitch.
Chelsea’s captain was immense here at the Emirates, and actually more deserving of the man-of-the-match champagne than the guy he later awarded it to.
Didier Drogba was terrific, scoring two quite brilliant goals that took his tally against Arsenal to 10 in nine matches. But he would have been the first to recognise where this encounter was won and lost.
Lob-star: Didier Drogba strikes the opener for Chelsea
It was won in the areas where Chelsea crushed the life out of Arsenal, in a manner that exposed the home side’s enduring frailties and demonstrated how difficult it will be for anyone to stop Carlo Ancelotti’s team running away with the title.
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It was Terry who set the tone. Terry who marshalled an impenetrable Chelsea back line that simply smothered every elaborate Arsenal attack; Terry who even made the surging run from deep that led to Drogba’s first goal.
Against Terry and a team who were faster, stronger and more effective in every department, Arsenal were reminded of where they still need to develop before they can consider themselves serious championship contenders. Even if they might yet point to the absence of Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.
This was a painful experience for Arsenal, and not just because Ashley Cole delivered the crosses for the first two goals. It was painful because, for all their possession, they made so little impression on a Chelsea team they now trail by 11 points.
According to the statisticians, indeed a deluded Arsene Wenger, they deserved more based on the fact that they successfully executed 479 passes to Chelsea’s 378. But Chelsea used the ball with ruthless efficiency and never let Arsenal pass the ball around when it was in their third of the pitch.
In truth, Arsenal were hugely disappointing.
They deserve credit for donating their wages for the day to Great Ormond Street Hospital but on a weekend when Cesc Fabregas said Arsenal fans were ‘proud’ to pay £40 to watch them, they might want to reimburse their disgruntled supporters too.
Unlucky Thomas: The ball cannons off Arsenal defender Vermaelen (third left) and flies into the net for an own goal
They were alarmingly ineffective up front, Eduardo and Andrey Arshavin delivering the kind of performance that suggested flair and finesse had never been part of their game.
It was bizarre, Eduardo seemingly possessing the touch of a semi-pro centre half and Arshavin strangely hesitant in front of goal. Before the diminutive Russian had a goal disallowed for Eduardo’s high challenge on Petr Cech, he squandered a brilliant opportunity to strike by taking two or three touches and so inviting Branislav Ivanovic to win the ball.
Leading the way: John terry snuffs out Eduardo in a typically inspirational display at the heart of Chelsea's defence
Wenger might have tried to rewrite history later but the four-letter expletives must have been flowing in response to the sight of his players making so insignificant an impact against such brilliantly organised opposition. After criticising FIFA for failing to punish Chelsea on Friday, the world governing body might want to respond.
For Wenger, the truth will hurt. While his side have now lost to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City this season, not to mention Sunderland, Chelsea have claimed the scalps of Arsenal, United and Liverpool.
One team look like champions. The other most definitely do not. Chelsea ooze class and confidence.
Long shot: Drogba (far left) fires a free-kick towards goal for Chelsea's third
In defence, where Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole form such a formidable barrier; in midfield, where Ancelotti can afford to leave Michael Ballack on the bench; and in attack, where Joe Cole excelled and Nicolas Anelka shone almost as brightly as Drogba, so outstanding was he in terms of industry and invention. It was his super reverse ball that invited Ashley Cole to cross for the second goal.
Jumping for joy: Didier Drogba celebrates the clincher
Their first came just four minutes earlier, four minutes before the end of an absorbing opening half and largely as a result not only of an impressive Terry run but also a pass in to the feet of Cole that was exquisite.
And one of a number of Bobby Moore-style passes he delivered here in the pouring rain.
From Terry’s delivery, Cole also did well, creating enough space for himself to guide a cross past Bacary Sagna that Drogba then met with a quite brilliant volley that he guided cleverly beyond the reach of Manuel Almunia. The kind of finish that gets better the more times you watch it, not least because it is the deftest of touches that diverts the ball into the top corner of the Arsenal net.
The second goal was similar in that it again came as a result of a cross from Cole. But it differed in the fact that it was the mere presence of Drogba that created a sense of panic and so forced the error.
After William Gallas had failed to get a touch, it fell to Thomas Vermaelen to deal with the danger, but a defender who has been brilliant since he arrived in north London contrived to guide the ball past Almunia into his own net and extend Chelsea’s lead.
Beanie man: Ashley Cole leads the celebrations against his former side along with hat-wearing manager Carlo Ancelotti
Their disallowed goal aside, Arsenal offered little in response after the break, even after Wenger had sent on Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky from the bench.
Chelsea were comfortably in control, increasing their advantage when Drogba followed a foul from Fabregas on Michael Essien by scoring with a stunning free-kick.
Ancelotti was delighted and almost as excited by the victory as he was by the prospect of meeting his ‘favourite singer’, Elton John, when Chelsea face Watford in the third round of the FA Cup.
By Matt Lawton Chief Football Correspondent
Last updated at 1:46 AM on 30th November 2009
To be fair to those chaps who have made such a mess of trying to maximise
John Terry’s commercial potential, they got it half right. Their man is influential.
Not quite among ‘the world’s most influencial (sic) people’ but hugely influential within the boundaries of a football pitch.
Chelsea’s captain was immense here at the Emirates, and actually more deserving of the man-of-the-match champagne than the guy he later awarded it to.
Didier Drogba was terrific, scoring two quite brilliant goals that took his tally against Arsenal to 10 in nine matches. But he would have been the first to recognise where this encounter was won and lost.
Lob-star: Didier Drogba strikes the opener for ChelseaIt was won in the areas where Chelsea crushed the life out of Arsenal, in a manner that exposed the home side’s enduring frailties and demonstrated how difficult it will be for anyone to stop Carlo Ancelotti’s team running away with the title.
Enlarge
It was Terry who set the tone. Terry who marshalled an impenetrable Chelsea back line that simply smothered every elaborate Arsenal attack; Terry who even made the surging run from deep that led to Drogba’s first goal.
Against Terry and a team who were faster, stronger and more effective in every department, Arsenal were reminded of where they still need to develop before they can consider themselves serious championship contenders. Even if they might yet point to the absence of Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.
This was a painful experience for Arsenal, and not just because Ashley Cole delivered the crosses for the first two goals. It was painful because, for all their possession, they made so little impression on a Chelsea team they now trail by 11 points.
According to the statisticians, indeed a deluded Arsene Wenger, they deserved more based on the fact that they successfully executed 479 passes to Chelsea’s 378. But Chelsea used the ball with ruthless efficiency and never let Arsenal pass the ball around when it was in their third of the pitch.
In truth, Arsenal were hugely disappointing.
They deserve credit for donating their wages for the day to Great Ormond Street Hospital but on a weekend when Cesc Fabregas said Arsenal fans were ‘proud’ to pay £40 to watch them, they might want to reimburse their disgruntled supporters too.
Unlucky Thomas: The ball cannons off Arsenal defender Vermaelen (third left) and flies into the net for an own goalThey were alarmingly ineffective up front, Eduardo and Andrey Arshavin delivering the kind of performance that suggested flair and finesse had never been part of their game.
It was bizarre, Eduardo seemingly possessing the touch of a semi-pro centre half and Arshavin strangely hesitant in front of goal. Before the diminutive Russian had a goal disallowed for Eduardo’s high challenge on Petr Cech, he squandered a brilliant opportunity to strike by taking two or three touches and so inviting Branislav Ivanovic to win the ball.
Leading the way: John terry snuffs out Eduardo in a typically inspirational display at the heart of Chelsea's defenceWenger might have tried to rewrite history later but the four-letter expletives must have been flowing in response to the sight of his players making so insignificant an impact against such brilliantly organised opposition. After criticising FIFA for failing to punish Chelsea on Friday, the world governing body might want to respond.
For Wenger, the truth will hurt. While his side have now lost to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City this season, not to mention Sunderland, Chelsea have claimed the scalps of Arsenal, United and Liverpool.
One team look like champions. The other most definitely do not. Chelsea ooze class and confidence.
Long shot: Drogba (far left) fires a free-kick towards goal for Chelsea's thirdIn defence, where Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole form such a formidable barrier; in midfield, where Ancelotti can afford to leave Michael Ballack on the bench; and in attack, where Joe Cole excelled and Nicolas Anelka shone almost as brightly as Drogba, so outstanding was he in terms of industry and invention. It was his super reverse ball that invited Ashley Cole to cross for the second goal.
Jumping for joy: Didier Drogba celebrates the clincherTheir first came just four minutes earlier, four minutes before the end of an absorbing opening half and largely as a result not only of an impressive Terry run but also a pass in to the feet of Cole that was exquisite.
And one of a number of Bobby Moore-style passes he delivered here in the pouring rain.
From Terry’s delivery, Cole also did well, creating enough space for himself to guide a cross past Bacary Sagna that Drogba then met with a quite brilliant volley that he guided cleverly beyond the reach of Manuel Almunia. The kind of finish that gets better the more times you watch it, not least because it is the deftest of touches that diverts the ball into the top corner of the Arsenal net.
The second goal was similar in that it again came as a result of a cross from Cole. But it differed in the fact that it was the mere presence of Drogba that created a sense of panic and so forced the error.
After William Gallas had failed to get a touch, it fell to Thomas Vermaelen to deal with the danger, but a defender who has been brilliant since he arrived in north London contrived to guide the ball past Almunia into his own net and extend Chelsea’s lead.
Beanie man: Ashley Cole leads the celebrations against his former side along with hat-wearing manager Carlo AncelottiTheir disallowed goal aside, Arsenal offered little in response after the break, even after Wenger had sent on Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky from the bench.
Chelsea were comfortably in control, increasing their advantage when Drogba followed a foul from Fabregas on Michael Essien by scoring with a stunning free-kick.
Ancelotti was delighted and almost as excited by the victory as he was by the prospect of meeting his ‘favourite singer’, Elton John, when Chelsea face Watford in the third round of the FA Cup.