Arsenal v Chelsea - Head 2 Head

14 April 2012
The men up front

One of Roman Abramovich's first acts on buying Chelsea was to send a cheeky fax to Arsenal detailing a £50million bid for Thierry Henry - immediately rebuffed - and the France striker continues to thwart the Russian billionaire's plans for world domination. On the pitch at least. Henry's devastating contributions, a thrilling strike and audacious free-kick, should silence those claiming he lacks a big-game temperament, but he did miss a great chance to win the match towards the end. The qualities of Didier Drogba and Eidur Gudjohnsen appeared more prosaic, by contrast, but both contributed.

Wenger v Mourinho

Jose Mourinho cut the sharper figure in his new leather jacket, with Arsene Wenger looking more like a caretaker than professor in his oversized club anorak, and Chelsea's head coach also made the smarter calls. Never one to duck a difficult decision, Mourinho made the necessary changes at half-time, bringing on Drogba and switching to 4-4-2, and also had the foresight to shore up the midfield with Scott Parker as Arsenal finished the stronger. Wenger's faith in Manuel Almunia was rewarded but he will do well to outwit his rival over the course of a season. The momentum rests with Mourinho.

Almunia v Cech

There was nothing faulty about Manuel Almunia's display in the biggest game of his career, but Petr Cech fell short of his usual exalted standards. Cech was helpless to stop Thierry Henry's superb second-minute strike but was caught cold by his later free-kick, with the Czech Republic international busy lining up his wall on one post while the ball floated into the net by the other. After three patchy performances from his second-string goalkeeper, Arsene Wenger will be relieved to avoid another Spanish inquisition.

Set-piece defending

Wenger rather curiously blamed Arsenal's continuing vulnerability at set pieces on lack of height, though Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure are hardly short. Individuals in the Gunners' once invincible rearguard need to put their hands up, not just in the hope of an offside decision. Campbell was at fault for both goals, with England rival John Terry twice getting the better of him, heading home Arjen Robben's corner then creating the space for Eidur Gudjohnsen to reach William Gallas's flick-on. On this display Terry could soon supplant Campbell in Sven-Goran Eriksson's affections.

Battle of the middle men

Arsenal fans have a new hero, in Cesc Fabregas. With Patrick Vieira, Edu and Gilberto Silva missing and Chelsea at full strength in central midfield, this could have been a mismatch. But while Mathieu Flamini and Fabregas may not possess Vieira's physical presence and inspirational leadership qualities, both are developing into fine players, with Fabregas's majestic passing catching the eye. Such was the pair's contribution that Frank Lampard had a rare quiet day.

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