BEVERLY HILLS, May 12, (THEWILL) – The result from Wednesday’s London derby was as unpredictable as it could ever be but Arsenal gave Chelsea’s top-four hopes a slight dent after Jorginho’s dreadful error gifted the Gunners a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge that only a few would have thought possible given recent performances.
Though it will be considered a gift by the Stamford Bridge faithfuls, Jorginho’s ill-conceived back pass to his keeper in the 16th minute turned out to be all that was needed to ensure that the Gunners did the double against their Blues neighbours this season after the 3-1 Boxing Day victory in the home fixture.
With his mind on more significant ties, such as the FA Cup final against Leicester City this weekend, Chelsea’s German tactician, Thomas Tuchel, switched up his side with seven changes to the side he turned out in the victory against Premier League champions and forthcoming Champions League final opponents Manchester City.
It was by no means a poor side that Tuchel fielded but one error was all it took to keep Chelsea in fourth. Chances to draw level and even take the advantage over the Gunners came and went. Kurt Zouma and Olivier Giroud both hit the crossbar in the final minutes, but neither went in for the Blues.
It makes the battle for Champions League qualification in the Premiership a lot more interesting for the remainder of the season, with West Ham and former champions, Liverpool, snapping at Chelsea’s heels and this loss making them more confident thanks to Jorginho.
The midfielder, under pressure, sent a ludicrous back pass fizzing towards his own net which forced Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea keeper, to scamper across and keep it out at a stretch but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got to the rebound quickest and very calmly teed up Smith Rowe to bury it into the net.
When chances to level did not bring the goals he wanted, Tuchel made an attacking half-time substitution. Callum Hudson-Odoi came in for Billy Gilmour and Mount reverted to a deeper midfield role than he was playing before.
Although in truth Chelsea remained on the front foot throughout, the victory Tuchel was in search of failed to materialise. They once got the ball through the line and were ecstatic in celebration before it was correctly ruled out for offside to Pulisic, who was behind the line when receiving the flick from Kai Havertz.
There was not much they could do with the woodwork conspiring against their scoring and the match went to Arteta, who is building an impressive record against Chelsea in his budding managerial career, which is something not many can boast of. Yet, THEWILL knows that he must not dwell too much on that but focus on rebuilding the team for the next season.
The Chelsea team will have no one to blame but themselves if they do not shrug off this upset and get themselves in form for two of their biggest matches this season: against Leicester for the FA Cup and against City for the UEFA Champions League trophy.
In the light of these, the loss to Arsenal pales in significance.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
