Arsenal put in a controlling performance at Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, cruising to a 1-0 statement victory to make it three wins in a row at Stamford Bridge for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s strongest 11 were back together with the return of Oleksandr Zinchenko and took charge of the game from the off, breaking through the lines with ease and pressing Chelsea into playing long balls for much of the game.
Arsenal’s two previous wins at Stamford Bridge saw them have 33 and 32 per cent possession respectively, but Sunday’s game was far more measured, enjoying 56 per cent of the ball and looking the better side throughout.
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The return of Zinchenko afforded the Gunners extra control in the defensive and middle thirds of the pitch with his superb technical quality and composure helping to play passes into midfield and the forward line.
The main criticism of Arsenal on the ball was in the final third, where they were often indecisive and lacking quality in the final actions whether it be passing, crossing, or shooting.
But Gabriel was on hand to grab the all-important goal in the 63rd minute, tapping in Bukayo Saka’s corner on the goal line to give the Gunners a much-deserved win.
Off the ball, Arsenal were also superb, forcing Chelsea backwards to their centre-backs and goalkeeper who played long to little success.
Chelsea’s day was summed up by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performance, in his first outing against his old club, with the Gabon striker being hooked just after the hour mark having touched the ball just eight times.
The combination of physical power, technical quality, and composure throughout the side gives Arsenal a huge advantage over most teams, and repeatedly we are seeing a familiarity of positions and rotations between the players on the pitch, allowing them to be more confident and precise with and without the ball.
It is important to highlight the role of the fans in Arsenal’s current run too, outsinging most, if not all, in the Premier League this season and giving the team the platform to continue winning.
Arsenal travel to face Wolves on Saturday (7.45pm) in their last game before the World Cup break and another win at Molineux will see the Gunners sitting top of the table when the Premier League returns on Boxing Day.
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