Source: Daily_Mail
Arsene Wenger's men beat the fear factor with impressive victory over Chelsea
All in the mind, they said. The Chelsea hoodoo, Didier Drogba, the fear factor in big games. A psychological hurdle, Arsene Wenger called it, and his team sailed over it.[LNB] True, the Blues may not be the same irresistible force that started the campaign in a blaze of goals. In fact, they are in crisis, but the Gunners had to conquer their own demons to tear them apart in this fashion. A streaky 1-0 win it was not.[LNB] Quickfire double: Walcott pounced on another mistake to put Arsenal 3-0 up[LNB] It could have been more that 3-1. Wenger's selection was bold, trusting the extra pace of Theo Walcott up front, pressing the visitors hard, high up the pitch, and deploying Alex Song to monitor the midfield threat of Frank Lampard.[LNB] It was indicative of Arsenal's dominance that Song had the time on his hands to burst forward and open the scoring before half-time, squeezing a one-two around Lampard before beating Petr Cech.[LNB] 'A win would be a hurdle that can strengthen our belief,' wrote Wenger in his programme notes. 'A little psychological boost.' For once, his players did not hide. 'Mannish,' Wenger dubbed them afterwards.[LNB] The risky, high-press and worked well against a team devoid of confidence. Michael Essien was hustled into a mistake for the second.[LNB] There was a late wobble but Arsenal ended a run of five defeats against the team which replaced them during the last decade as London's most successful. Chelsea's website has a habit of taunting the Gunners by publishing before each game how many days have passed since Wenger's team won a trophy. It stands today at 2,047. That can change with the Carling Cup, a minor pot for some, but, when you're into the realms of psychology, it takes on new significance.[LNB] Team spirit: Arsenal celebrate Alex Song opening the scoring[LNB] Last night, it helped Arsenal to have Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie ready to start, having been nursed through recent weeks by a manager wary of exposing their fragile bodies and minds to the rigours of the Barclays Premier League fixture list. If the Gunners are to turn this result into a genuine title challenge, they need this pair. Marouane Chamakh has impressed but Van Persie is in a different class.[LNB] Compare the return of Van Persie and Fabregas with that of Lampard, forced back against his better judgment at Tottenham a fortnight ago and last night starting his first game in four months. He pushed his legs through 90 minutes but struggled. Wenger can replace Van Persie with Chamakh or Nicklas Bendtner.[LNB] He can use Samir Nasri or Tomas Rosicky in the Fabregas role but Ancelotti's squad has zero depth. Without Lampard and Essien powering the team, confidence has vanished and with it the aura built up over the first nine months of 2010. It can go in a blink, as Wenger can attest, having seen his Invincibles of 2003-04 reduced to a team incapable of winning silverware.[LNB] Chelsea looked like a team close to the end of their natural cycle as Arsenal's confidence swell and youthful energy bubbled in accordance with their potential.[LNB] But further examinations lie ahead. First, the Gunners must ensure last night's effort is not wasted. Tricky trips to Wigan and Birmingham follow before Manchester City visit The Emirates on January 5.[LNB] The Gunners won 3-0 at Eastlands in October and Wenger has stressed how Manchester United and City have to visit Arsenal. Somewhat greater tests await in the New Year, notably in the form of Barcelona, who tore them apart in the Champions League last season. Another psychological hurdle for Wenger and his team as they seek to fulfil the promise. [LNB] Jamie Redknapp: Arsenal prove they have the armoury to win the title Arsenal 3 Chelsea 1: Gunners catch fire as flying Theo Walcott makes it a nightmare for Ancelotti[LNB] [LNB]
