Wow, as an Arsenal fan, I'm not sure if I should be shell shocked or angry. Shell shocked because we have been scoring for fun, angry because I knew this result was coming and each year the team doesn't learn from it.


Wenger without a plethora of players, lined up in the supposed 'Holy Grail' of 4-3-3, Traore as left back, Samir Nasri and Eduardo up front with Arshavin. Chelsea came in a diamond, Obi the base, J.Cole and Essien wide and Lampard in the hole behind Anelka and Drogba.


The firt few exchanges, Arsenal looked up for it, many of their quick passes were finding their target, but the loss of Robin Van Persie has left a huge chasm in the central striker role, and despite the qualities of Eduardo, being a sole central striker is not one of them. He is a small poacher, and trying to outfox John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho is a very tough ask. Countless times he would create some space, only for those boulders to close it down.


In midfield, Arsenal were able to stifle some of the passes from Obi coming out, but not enough. Come the 40th minute, John Terry in the full knowledge that Eduardo wasn't able to hustle him down, he roamed into the Arsenal half, picked a perfect dissecting pass to Ashley Cole, he curled a pass into the box, and Didier Drogba in between William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen flicked a shot home, 1-0.


They say you are most vulnerable when you concede, but teams that want to be champions must react instantly positively. Instead 3 mins later, Ashley Cole yet again in nosebleed territory, curled another ball across the goal, and Vermaelen glanced it into his own net,2-0.


The second half, for 10 mins, Arsenal tried to force the issue, all running hard but no impact being made. Arshavin scored a goal, but the referee blew for a foul on Cech. After that, Arsenal ran out of ideas apart from give the ball to Sagna or Walcott to cross in, but Chelsea have big defenders and they gobbled it all up as the Arsenal players are much smaller.


The third goal, wow, Drogba fired an unstoppable freekick past Almunia, stunning stuff from the Ivorian, and that was curtains and a heavy defeat at home for Arsenal.


Chelsea, very very impressive. They knew exactly what Arsenal would do, and they executed their gameplan like professionals. Obi passed to Essien or J.Cole, Anelka opened up spaces, Drogba ensured Gallas or Vermaelen never charged up field. The way they kept the ball was very good, they never did anything unneeded, they were just like a stereotypical Italian team, professional. On this form, and an 11 point lead over Arsenal, they can begin to plan for the Champions League, they can afford to lose 3 games and still be assured of being in top spot, they are in supreme command.


Arsenal, well same old story. Last season, they lost 4-1 at home to this opponent. They had no plan B, they resorted to playing crosses, but with small players, it doesn't make sense. Wenger also needs to use more tactics, Chelsea knew exactly what was coming, and were never in serious trouble from Arsenals work. Injuries are always high for Arsenal, so the squad needs even more quality than others, and the fact that the next striker is a 20 year old with not much league experience against a team of seasoned champions, it is not good.