Arsenal: 4 talking points from Premier League win over Chelsea

Arsenal lifted the mood around north London with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday. Here are the talking points.

Mikel Arteta turned the clock back to last season’s FA Cup run with a dogged defensive display stemming from a back three system, one that is not the long-term vision of the side but an example of their current plight.

Across both teams’ starting lineup, only Kieran Tierney and possibly the academy stars and make a claim for being in a combined XI. The difference in quality between the two is vast and the incredible turnaround at Stamford Bridge by Thomas Tuchel prompted a more conservative approach.

Setting up in the low block, they did relied on taking their opportunities when they came and being resilient to the Blues’ possession, although the goal was a gift that neither side would have prepared for.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Arsenal: 4 talking points from Premier League win over Chelsea as Emile Smith Rowe nets only goal

Jorginho’s howler of a backpass left Kepa scrambling, who committed a foul in clawing the ball off the line into the path of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Andre Marriner smartly let play continue and the captain laid the ball off into the path of Emile Smith Rowe to tuck away.

It was a case of weathering the storm to come from that point, with Bernd Leno showcasing good work with his hands as Arsenal’s well organised defence kept the hosts mostly at bay.

An admittedly out of sorts Chelsea couldn’t find any serious rhythm but still looked more likely to score, with Christian Pulisic thinking he had before the offside flag correctly ruled his goal out.

Arsenal grew into the second half and were able to pose more of a threat as the match wore on, yet they had Leno to thank for a stunning late that that tipped Kurt Zouma’s effort onto the bar, with former Gunner Olivier Giroud smacking his rebound back onto the upright in the dying embers.

It wasn’t pretty but Arsenal held on to show there is still some fight left in these beleaguered players.

Third Best Defence in the Premier League

Chelsea and Manchester City, the only two sides to have conceded fewer goals in this season’s Premier League than Arsenal. This being the same Arsenal side who have lost 13 matches so far in this campaign and sit in eighth ahead of Everton who have two games in hand.

Reminisce about all the individual errors leading to goals and it becomes infuriating to imagine where Arsenal could be. Systematically Arteta has fluttered through systems, all designed to add steel to the backline, which have come at the cost of attacking output.

Those statistics make it obvious where the issues lie.

Arsenal sorely lack fluency and ultimately goals across the pitch, which is completely inexcusable considering the plethora of offensive talent on disposal. Ten home matches without finding the back of the net and just a pitiful 50 goals in 36 Premier League outings overall has crippled progress.

While Wednesday night was a far cry from the possession-based dynamism Arteta is after, he now has to find a way to broaden the attacking horizons and make Arsenal less predictable in the final third. Those issues lie on him, and making the right additions in midfield will be crucial to opening new doors.