Chelsea vs. Arsenal

1-2, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, 2013-01-20
Walcott 58

We just can't seem to win these 'big' games, which obviously is damaging our prospect of finishing within the top four. This game was very much like the Manchester City game in the sense that we were rubbish throughout the first half but came on as a team changed for the second half, however, as we failed in both of these games to turn the game around it will be forgotten before long.

The game could have looked very different had Giroud scored when he made a brilliant run, spotted by Walcott who provided the pass, but the shot went wide and in the following minute Chelsea found themselves in front after a Mata goal. We were unlucky in this situation as we should have been awarded a free-kick just before when Coquelin was stepped on by a Chelsea player, but as the ref apparently missed that situation the goal was allowed. Ten minutes later Lampard put Chelsea further in front from the penalty spot as our defence lost track of Ramires in the box and Szczesny's attempt to get the ball only resulted in a Chelsea penalty. The Polish keeper then had to make a vital save from a Hazard shot before that miserable half was over.

As mentioned above, it was as though a different team entered the pitch for the second half. We played with more urgency and efficiency, finally putting pressure on Chelsea and all of a sudden we were the ones dominating the game after an incredibly poor first half performance.
   Merely two minutes into the half Mertesacker (of all players) fired a shot on target, unfortunately it went straight at Cech. The next minute the Chelsea keeper had to make yet another save as Walcott got within firing range of the goal. Before we eventually managed to find a way back into the game Giroud had a header  which Cech, yet again, saved.
   Then we finally put the ball past the blasted keeper, and it was no other than Theo Walcott (who just signed a new contract with the club!) who scored, through a delightful chip over Cech to find the back of the net! The Englishman followed up his goal with a shot, however, he did not manage to keep it on target this time.
   It is, however, important to mention that Chelsea remained a constant threat. Szczesny made a vital save as he grabbed hold of the ball right in front of Torres' feet and later on our keeper went far out to intercept as Ba was moving towards the goal, yet the striker went around Szczesny, fortunately for us captain Vermaelen blocked the shot right in front of the goal!
   In the final minutes of the game we put immense pressure on Chelsea, with a Vermaelen free-kick going just wide and Giroud having a shot saved by Cech and a header going just over the bar as we played corner after corner.

It is a great disappointment to lose yet another important game for our prospect of finishing higher than 6th, but we are just quite simply going to have to get the three points on Wednesday against West Ham instead, focus on what is up ahead.

Injury Update:
- Both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski missed this game due to illness while Arteta and Rosicky remain injured.