Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal

[Mhsc 1,097]

Absolutely gutted we couldn't see it through. Based on what we saw they don't have a chance in hell at the title. Improvement in the team has been good and have the feeling we will trend towards top 4 as the season progresses.

[DH1988 1,348]

I'm hoping we learn how to creep out results like United are somehow doing.

Onward and upward to Jan, striker and put a call into Valencia GK department.

[Vesper 30,175]

'Utterly outplayed' - How the national media reacted to entertaining Arsenal and Chelsea draw

How the national media reacted the Stamford Bridge thriller on Saturday as Mikel Arteta's men maintained their unbeaten start

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/utterly-outplayed-how-national-media-27959742

[NikkiCFC 8,319]

1 hour ago, DH1988 said:

I'm hoping we learn how to creep out results like United are somehow doing.

We are in way better situation future wise imo. They dont look like a team that can beat top10 side either.

Since SAF left 10 years ago they are in same spot without improving and nothing suggesting they will next couple of years. Onana and Mount as I said back in June is waste of money.

United do not worry me at all. 

I am very excited about our project and would not trade it at the moment for any short term success we had before with Conte, Tuchel... Even when we won CL 2 and a half years ago it was clear that TT football would never work in a long run.

Not that bothered about no CL either. We won it recently, we saw it, we experienced it, now we are in position that is new for us Chelsea fans and it is important to enjoy the ride because after struggles it will be very sweet to be back and stay there for a long time which is this project all about. I would even say that after Pep leaving which is planned for summer 2025 we are in best position to take it from there and dominate PL. Arsenal will be a rival.

We have a base and just need to be patient with this young squad.

GK Petrovic 24

RB Gusto 20 James 23

CB Disasi 25 Fofana 22 Colwill 20 Badiashile 22

LB Chilwell 26 Cucurella 25

MF Enzo 22 Caicedo 21 Lavia 19 Ugo 19 Gallagher 23 Carney 20 

ATTACK Mudryk 22 Palmer 21 Nkunku 25 Jackson 22

This is main base of 19 players I believe are here to stay for a long period and already proving themself. There a plenty of others young players like Angelo, Washington, Santos, Casadei, Madueke, Richards, Moreira... Eventually we can expect to go on a market for top CF and GK. We really do not need more than that. I still have faith in Fofana becoming top CB and expecting him to replace Silva without new player coming in. After first being skeptical about our wingers Mudryk and Palmer are looking so promising last couple of weeks. 

Yes, things like yesterday will still happen but this is part of the process. We need to give time to Poch and young players and this group will be at top of European footy for many, many years. I am sure of it. It is clear what our owners are trying to do and it is really exciting. Enjoy the ride and seeing this group developing together next couple of years will be great.

 

[Special Juan 28,141]

Cole Palmer, what a player, honestly excellent on Saturday

[MoroccanBlue 5,382]

5 hours ago, Special Juan said:

Cole Palmer, what a player, honestly excellent on Saturday

First name in attack for me. 

 

Can see us using this set up against the bigger teams even with Nkunku fit. 

Enzo Caicedo

Palmer--------   -----Sterling

Gallagher Nkunku

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by MoroccanBlue

[King Kante 1,643]

On 22/10/2023 at 12:29, Mhsc said:

Absolutely gutted we couldn't see it through. Based on what we saw they don't have a chance in hell at the title. Improvement in the team has been good and have the feeling we will trend towards top 4 as the season progresses.

We will have to put quite a run together to get top 4 now. We're currently 8 points off with a quarter of the season gone and we had a really soft start, our next 7 games will probably require us to get at least 5 wins but that run includes Brentford (h), Spuds (a) Man City (h), Newcastle (a), Brighton (h), Utd (a), Everton (a). That run is pretty horrific, we haven't won at OT for years, Newcastle and Everton away are both bogey grounds, Brentford and Brighton are very canny types of teams who know how to grind results in the league, whilst Spurs are on a good run. Personally, I think we have quite a bit to do already. 

That aside, I am also happy with the progress, especially from what we saw last season but we're still a very green team imo. Any half mature side would've beaten the Arse at home with the way we played, whilst also getting a point out of Forest and Villa. The West Ham game can happen to any team so, not holding that one agaist the side. However, this also makes me think we could play most of the teams we play in the next seven games off the park and end up with 6 points or something ridiculous by drawing all of them - bar City who I suspect will be ruthless with us. 

[Mário César 1,257]

this draw still hurts 

could be our game change of the season

[robsblubot 3,595]

27 minutes ago, Mário César said:

this draw still hurts 

could be our game change of the season

I don't believe that tbh. I believe in a process, and the team playing better, and consistently, will bring results in the long run. Arsenal would have remained the better team regardless of the final score. We will likely lose there, like most other teams.

This team will struggle in some away games esp due to inexperience. They will misfire in some home game, also due to players finding their game in the league. This will take place regardless of whether our goalie makes a mistake to let Arsenal back in the game or not. It's just part of the package of the squad the club has built.

The performance, esp tactics, was very encouraging. It's good to have a manager who can come up with a working strategy to contain a better side, AND have players behind him to execute that.

Still...yes, Sanchez is a concern... was a concern before, and is a concern now after we've seen him play for a bit.

[Mário César 1,257]

29 minutes ago, robsblubot said:

I don't believe that tbh. I believe in a process, and the team playing better, and consistently, will bring results in the long run. Arsenal would have remained the better team regardless of the final score. We will likely lose there, like most other teams.

This team will struggle in some away games esp due to inexperience. They will misfire in some home game, also due to players finding their game in the league. This will take place regardless of whether our goalie makes a mistake to let Arsenal back in the game or not. It's just part of the package of the squad the club has built.

The performance, esp tactics, was very encouraging. It's good to have a manager who can come up with a working strategy to contain a better side, AND have players behind him to execute that.

Still...yes, Sanchez is a concern... was a concern before, and is a concern now after we've seen him play for a bit.

our performances are growing game after game. I think we will be ok in this tough fixtures 

well, when nkunku came back from injury?

[robsblubot 3,595]

9 minutes ago, Mário César said:

our performances are growing game after game. I think we will be ok in this tough fixtures 

well, when nkunku came back from injury?

Would put my money that performances will vary quite a bit until the end of the season. It's just a new squad with young players new to the league. History shows us that it takes more than a season to build a team.

I get you point about raising the confidence (with a big win), and it might indeed have helped short term, but like I said, don't think it will matter much later. It's a long season and injuries, tiredness, form, will all vary. Other teams (and their managers) start adapting to what you do esp if it works.

[Mário César 1,257]

23 minutes ago, robsblubot said:

Would put my money that performances will vary quite a bit until the end of the season. It's just a new squad with young players new to the league. History shows us that it takes more than a season to build a team.

I get you point about raising the confidence (with a big win), and it might indeed have helped short term, but like I said, don't think it will matter much later. It's a long season and injuries, tiredness, form, will all vary. Other teams (and their managers) start adapting to what you do esp if it works.

are you confident for our next 3/4 games?

[Reddish-Blue 2,505]

5 minutes ago, Mário César said:

are you confident for our next 3/4 games?

Brentford, Spurs, City, Newcastle, then Brighton and United. 

Will be interesting to see how Poch sets up for these games, particularly Spurs as they are flying at the moment. 

[robsblubot 3,595]

9 minutes ago, Mário César said:

are you confident for our next 3/4 games?

results? nope.

Brentford is a must win, and we should definitely go for the 3 points against Brighton esp at home. Newcastle away will be a tough one and it's likely they will find a way to beat us. City @ bridge will be similar to Arsenal, but harder.

I don't expect a lot from this squad tbh.

[robsblubot 3,595]

19 hours ago, robsblubot said:

I don't expect a lot from this squad tbh.

realized I sounded like a Debbie Downer above, so just a small correction for posterity:

It's not that I think the team is shit or anything like that, but that the type of signings the club did define the goal and ambition the club has, which  evidently does not target this particular season.

So, we will be watching which player responds well to adversities, which player improves during the season, who can remain healthy in a pretty tough league like the PL. I just think this squad is the first iteration of something they are building, which is not going to be the final product regardless of immediate results.

Young players who start delivering the goods will eventually get targeted, tightly marked, and as result drop form, and may even get knocks too. Knocks come from good tackles too esp in very competitive leagues like the PL. It's going to be interesting what the club does in Jan, if anything. 

[Fulham Broadway 17,313]

Chelsea goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez was apparently going mad at Robert Sanchez in the second half just before his howler.

[nyikolajevics 2,698]

11 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Chelsea goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez was apparently going mad at Robert Sanchez in the second half just before his howler.

He started the Sanchez-hate before it became mainstream.

 

I don’t really understand in general why managers forcing keepers to pass and build up attack with short passes, even with 2-0. 
 

According to the stats this was the 6th time he made pass to our opponent within 35 metres. I understand there is risk in this goalkeeping style but this is too much risk. Joao Pedro and Mac Allister could have scored similar goals.

[Fulham Broadway 17,313]

21 minutes ago, nyikolajevics said:

According to the stats this was the 6th time he made pass to our opponent within 35 metres

😬 Blimey didnt know that, thats pretty slack

[robsblubot 3,595]

1 hour ago, nyikolajevics said:

He started the Sanchez-hate before it became mainstream.

 

I don’t really understand in general why managers forcing keepers to pass and build up attack with short passes, even with 2-0. 
 

According to the stats this was the 6th time he made pass to our opponent within 35 metres. I understand there is risk in this goalkeeping style but this is too much risk. Joao Pedro and Mac Allister could have scored similar goals.

Reckon it's both about building from the back and also defend by preventing the opposition from having the ball. Several teams are set up to press super high and aggressively (City and Arsenal to name 2). If you don't keep the ball and break their high press, that will limit the amount of attacking you will be doing.

There are ways to counteract that, but they typically work in very specific situations. I'd suggest that the system Arsenal and City use is the better system for long championships without a doubt in my mind. They are just more effective long term esp against the weaker sides.

[Mário César 1,257]

our first eleven is a stronger one 

sanchez ( : \ ) 

reece - thiago - lewill - cucu

enzo - caicedo - gallagher 

palmer - nkunku

jackson

if we play 4x3x3 this is not a bad line up, unless our goalkeeper and striker 

we can play nkunku in jackson play and play with sterling as a right winger

anyway, this is not a bad line up. sad that nkunku is off for a while