Brutish

It was all too familiar for a team that often boasts heaps of possession with nothing to show for it. Marouane Chamakh bore the resemblance of a lost child sandwiched between the brutish defensive pairing of John Terry and Alex (whose 85th minute free-kick was an absolute corker). Meanwhile Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel bullied Alex Song and Abou Diaby into a craven surrender, illustrating Arsenal’s perennial deficiency of midfield steel.

Impotent

Arsene Wenger commented that there were “many positives” to take from the game and that they had “no big problems”. He must have been watching Blackpool with “no big problems” winning at Anfield. Injury excuses aside (because every team has to deal with them), Arsenal were incapable of matching Chelsea’s physicality and impotent in their attempts to unlock the Blues in the final third.

Killer instinct

Without Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, this is a squad with enough inventiveness for 10 teams, without the killer instinct to really make it count. While Arsene Wenger is a superb manager and has worked miracles without the wherewithal that others have at their disposal, it’s time to get real after five trophyless years.

Despite listening to the same, tired excuses, Arsenal fans should at least look on the bright side: they aren’t languishing in 18th spot after losing at home to a team nicknamed ‘The Tangerines’. Imagine that.

[Source: Skysports]