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Every year again: Boxing Day is a highly appreciated soccer tradition on the island. Every year on Boxing Day, soccer is played, from the Premier League to the amateur leagues. For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, December 26 is a special date for another reason: exactly one year ago, the Spaniard celebrated his debut as a manager in London, when there was a 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth, later relegated . From Arsenal’s point of view, the anniversary against Chelsea offered many more reasons to be happy, especially as the game was not to be expected after the last seven league games without a win.
The result: Arsenal won 3-1 (2-0) against Chelsea, incidentally, the 10th win in a Boxing Day home game for the Gunners in a row. Read the match report here.
The first half: The first half hour of this game had little return. Mason Mount verified the stability of Arsenal’s outer goal post (13th) for top Chelsea FC, his free kick should remain the best chance for a long time. Then first Reece James Kieran Tierney, then N’Golo Kanté Bukayo Saka stumbled on his heels. Alexandre Lacazette scored from a penalty (35th), Granit Xhaka let a free kick drift down the center right corner. And suddenly, Arsenal FC had a comfortable rest.
The second half: Much more rugged. Not just because of Saka’s weird 3-0 (more on that later), but mostly because of the final phase. First, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy gave compatriot and opponent Lacazette a great opportunity by putting the ball on his foot (83rd). Mendy barely stopped the shot, after the next corner Mohamed Elneny hit the crossbar with a forceful shot (84º). Then the connection hit fell and Tammy Abraham pushed a cross from the right wing over the line (85). In the end, Pablo Marí caused a penalty for a foul by Mount, but Bernd Leno prevented the game from being exciting again with his save against Jorginho’s penalty (90o + 1o).
A young man out of necessity: Many prominent Arsenal FC figures were not found on the squad or only on the bench. Thomas Partey? Injured. Gabriel? You were in close contact with someone who had a positive corona test. David Luiz, Willian? I didn’t feel fit. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pépé? Only replacement due to the weak shape. The solution to the staff riddle: Mikel Arteta gave his own offspring a chance. Behind striker Lacazette, alongside Saka (19 years old), were swirled Emile Smith Rowe (20 years old) and Gabriel Martinelli (19 years old). The calf thanked them with good performances.
Mathemagisch: Mikel Arteta has a lot of credit with Arsenal fans. The Spaniard won the FA Cup in his first year, he won the Super Cup. Above all, however, some in North London promised the return of the beautiful game, combined football. After all, the former Arsenal pro had learned at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola. Arteta recently hit different pitches – after a game with 33 failed crosses, he warned his players to keep trying. It is the “pure mathematics” that must be met at some point. The local Bukayo Saka took it a bit literally: his 3-0 was a center that slipped and landed in the corner (57). So, thanks to a coincidence, Arteta’s flank order and the expected spectacle finally came together.
German shape hole: Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are among the handful of German players who are trusted to be world class. His summer move to Chelsea was seen as the next logical step on the road to the top of the sport. After half a year, you have to say: New Londoners still have a hard time getting started. Werner had hardly any scenes against Arsenal and was scoreless in the 10th consecutive competitive game. Havertz only played the role of joker for the second time in a row, although position competitor Hakim Ziyech was injured. Only Bernd Leno raised the DFB flag, his penalty saved a lot of stress for his teammates in injury time.
London search for meaning: Arsenal FC can look forward to this matchday but are still happy with 14th place, six points ahead of relegation categories. Chelsea FC lost for the third time in their last four games, next tasks are surprise team Aston Villa and runner-up Manchester City. And Tottenham Hotspur, recently celebrated leader for a few brief moments, meanwhile, has slipped out of the ranks of the European Cup. London’s big clubs must be careful not to lose touch in the Premier League, not just in Manchester and Liverpool, but increasingly in Leicester and Birmingham as well.
