Jamie Redknapp: Arsenal prove they have the armoury to win the title

27 December 2010 23:28
Looking championArsenal have never been in better shape. Last night they proved they have the armoury to win the title. On the pitch, their big players - Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas - looked back in the groove and they had a powerful bench, including Chamakh, Diaby, Arshavin and Rosicky, with Vermaelen to return. By comparison, Chelsea had to send on Kakuta. These are worrying times for the reigning champions, but Arsenal are on the march. [LNB] In the goove: Robin van Persie[LNB]He's no MakeleleJohn Mikel Obi was taken off at halftime. His deep midfield role should be a dream position. You should boss the game, touch the ball 100 times and put out fires whenever there's danger. Mikel rarely passes the ball forward and is a weak link. Chelsea have liked a player there since the master, Claude Makelele, had the position named after him. Michael Essien could go there, but it would curb his instincts. They may have to buy in January. [LNB]Djourou's a giantYou have to praise Arsene Wenger's gamble with his team sheet. No Andrey Arshavin, who doesn't do enough of the hard stuff and switches off without the ball, and Johan Djourou was terrific against Didier Drogba. Eyebrows would have been raised with the selection of the Swiss defender against Arsenal's nemesis, but he matched the Chelsea forward for power and strength. Drogba wants to bully opponents; Djourou won all the big duels. A top display. [LNB] Captain Marvel: Cesc Fabregas[LNB]Fabregas the maestroArsene Wenger wondered out loud if Cesc Fabregas the Arsenal maestro, could put the mental scars of his injuries behind him. It looked to me as if the doubts about his fitness had been cast to one side and he played with flair and freedom. He scored the second goal, glided around the Emirates pitch and played like he had wing mirrors; every time the ball came to him, he had a picture of what was around him. [LNB]Hard night, ColeI've not seen Ashley Cole look so uncomfortable for a long time. The key is having the pace to dictate to him and not allowing him to drive you back. Such speed from Theo Walcott stopped Cole advancing and forced him to defend deep. We rarely saw him attacking in that familiar bursting style. Walcott had a storming game and set up the second goal, before scoring a third with a clinical finish. Cole will not have enjoyed this return to Arsenal.[LNB] Arsenal 3 Chelsea 1: Gunners catch fire as flying Theo Walcott makes it a nightmare for AncelottiChelsea will humiliate Arsenal at the Emirates once again, vows TerryLukaku stuns Chelsea by revealing he dreams of playing for Real Madrid[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Johan Djourou, Robin Van Persie, Michael Essien, Andrey Arshavin, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Claude Makelele

Source: Daily_Mail