Well, that was just fine. Not really fun, definitely not exciting, just one of those games. When Chelsea can’t lose, Chelsea don’t lose. Way, way before centre back no.3 began undressing, you just knew. Way before Chelsea didn’t start a striker. You knew. You knew it’d be okay, it’s Arsenal. It’s Mourinho. It’ll be okay.
This is not to say that Chelsea are only taking a point home from The Emirates, a few surprises were somehow squeezed into something so predictable.
Arsenal can give it
I wasn’t exactly expecting a replay of last weekend, because last weekend Chelsea faced a side staring down only its sixth trophyless season in seventeen years. Manchester United had nothing to lose and played like it. Arsenal however, are to battle it out against Sherwood’s footballing messieurs for their second trophy this season. Yep, second. With the 4th Place Trophy seemingly in the bag, and their unhealthy relationships with injuries, Arsenal cannot really be criticised for looking towards Wembley.
However, “boring, boring Chelsea” was the chant. Well, it wasn’t Chelsea who resorted to hacking down man after man and stopping the game every few moments. If Chelsea didn’t want to win, then Arsenal didn’t even want to play. Wenger merked us all when he swapped Francis Coquelin for Dat Guy Welbz, but very little changed and Arsenal still seemed happy with a point and third place. To be perfectly honest, I’m not 100% sure the player’s Instagram accounts could cope with them finishing second. Probably best that they only managed one shot of target.
Chelsea still don’t get penalties
There was a few good shouts for a spot kick. But all left the man with the whistle, Michael Oliver, unconvinced. The most notable saw Ospina try out his new finishing move on a surprisingly brave Oscar, and with the news that the latter is currently in hospital with suspected concussion, The Stone Cold Stunner may have to move over. The next left Cesc Fabregas (and, I assume, his magic hat) booked for being fouled. It’s no surprise that we didn’t witness one of Hazard’s cool as you like penalties; they’re an unpopular conclusion and the referee clearly didn’t fancy being included in the headlines tomorrow.
Hazard can go missing
The man with the great buttocks is surely to receive the PFA’s top award tonight – but it was unusual of him to leave at half time, I suppose it meant he could drop Oscar off at the hospital on the way to the dry cleaners to pick up his suit.
Before this match I drafted, but never finished, a piece about what to expect; in which I touted it would be a battle between Hazard and Sanchez, and it was – a battle of who could best find themselves hidden in plain site. Neither men really contributed, but you’d have to say Sanchez looked more likely towards the end.
There was an actual atmosphere
It sounded superb. Since leaving Highbury, Arsenal have been criticised for their, lack of, atmosphere. As have Chelsea. But both sets of fans kept this game alive.
Thibaut Caughtois
Chelsea don’t really concede from set pieces anyway, but with the young Belgian and his seeming ability to catch a bird mid-flight it’s going to take a miracle. It is not only Thibaut who deserves credit, but his defence. Man of the match John Terry proved, once again that he has, very much so, still got it.
A few surprises found their way into today’s match. A lot more of what was witnessed are well known traits of both Mourinho and his Chelsea side. To be perfectly honest, I don’t want surprises at the time of the season. 6 points away from it. Get David Luiz back for the party and I’m in heaven.
