Arsenal Make One Vital Alteration in Chelsea Win

Arsenal secured victory over Chelsea with one vital alteration.

Ending a seven-game run without victory in the Premier League, Arsenal had the chance to either extend the fans’ agony over Christmas or boost the already cheerful festive spirit. We’re glad they chose the latter.

Confidence has deserted north London of late, limiting the total output exerted from the players’ tanks. The importance of self-belief, not just in football but sport as a whole, is utterly paramount to success. This can never be understated.

Due to the dearth of faith both in themselves and one another, Arsenal have failed to get any modicum of grip on matches until the latter stages. Sometimes not even until the opposition have scored.

Against Everton, for all of the ‘dominance’ the team supposedly had, they were kept at an arm’s length throughout, only laying siege on Jordan Pickford‘s goal when the clock struck 90. Even they it was hit and hope not seek and destroy.

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With Chelsea visiting the Emirates, the match was always set to be decided in the opening five minutes. If Arsenal didn’t set their stall out with intent in that period, they may as well have shut up shop entirely. What Mikel Arteta‘s side did was preheat the kettle, no simmer gently away until boiling point right near the end.

Coming out of the traps, harassing the Blues’ players and showing for the ball straight away set a tone unlike any seen this season. Arsenal didn’t win the game in the early stages, but they made sure they weren’t going to lose it. That was most crucial of all.

Seeing fellow teammates show endeavour and courage filtered through the side. Watching on as Gabriel Martinelli ran himself into the ground to press the Chelsea backline sparked a shift in attitude that put Arsenal in the best possible position to secure a positive result. Emile Smith Rowe‘s defensive cover did likewise.

Matches are tough to win after poor openings, but they’re impossible when confidence is shot and quality is lacking. It’s imperative for Arsenal to maintain such standards or they’ll fall right back into the previous regime. Sure, they had some luck on Saturday, but for the first time this season, they made their luck.

Tactically the changes paid dividends, so too did personnel, but above all, this game was won with attitude.