Arsenal have started this season terribly. They are struggling to qualify from their Champions League group, they have been knocked out of the Capital One Cup and find themselves 12 points behind early pace setters Chelsea. With the arrival of Sanchez in the summer there was a renewed sense of optimism floating around Arsenal, however early season form has dashed any feelings of hope. What are the fundamental differences between Chelsea and Arsenal and how can they attempt to bridge the gap between the two teams?
On initial viewing it is quite clear why Arsenal find themselves 15 points behind Chelsea. They have scored a mere 20 goals while Chelsea have scored 30. They also have conceded 4 more goals than their close London rivals. Chelsea are yet to lose at home while Arsenal have experienced 3 draws at home already, in games that they must win if they want to be competing for the title. If they had been able to secure the 3 points on all of these occasions then the gap between the two teams would have been halved. Away from home Arsenal haven’t faired any better. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have travelled to Goodison Park this season with Chelsea sending a real message out with a 3-6 annihilation. Arsenal had contrasting fortunes on merseyside with a last minute equalizer after finding themselves 2 nil down very early on.
Arsenal have displayed a vulnerability this season, especially in the defensive aspect of their team. It hasn’t helped that Arsenal’s defense has had to constantly adapt with the injuries that keep mounting up. Debuchy started fantastically in an Arsenal shirt but was quickly ruled out for a prolonged period of time. Koscielny adds to this list, being ruled out indefinitely. The sale of Vermaelen to Barcelona has left Arsenal very vulnerable and suspect at the back.This had led Arsenal to conceding more headed goals than everyone else (6) in the league apart from Burnley (8). In the whole of 2013-14 they have dropped only nine points from leading positions in the whole of 2013-14 but this term they have already dropped nine from leading positions.Chelsea on the other hand have had the luxury of being able to use the same back five almost all of this season. Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ivanović and Courtois. Chelsea have had Matic in front of the back four who has been instrumental in them keeping clean sheets.
Arsenal’s achilles heel has once again haunted them at the start of this season. Arsenal have won just four Premier League matches this season and those have come against teams currently in the bottom seven of the table. Chelsea have already beaten Liverpool and Everton away and Arsenal at home with good draws away to both Manchester clubs supplementing this. During the Arsenal vs Chelsea game earlier this month the defensives of both teams performed very much similarly. As did Flamini and Matic in terms of defending. However the difference between the attacking players in terms of defending is where Chelsea came into their own. Oscar’s impressive defensive effort was particularly notable. In this game, Oscar made no fewer than 12 tackles, an amazing figure for a No.10, of which 11 took place inside Chelsea’s own half. Ozil on the other hand made two attempts to tackle with only one being successful. Oscar also made 5 fouls against Arsenal higher up the pitch with helped to disturb the flow of the game.
There will be no break for Arsenal with an plethora of difficult fixtures rapidly approaching. They need to develop a way to become more resilient without a proper defensive midfielder and a lack of defensive cover. Maybe Arsenal need to stop thinking they are the best team in the league and start adapting their tactics for the big games like Chelsea always do. They aren’t too far off…