Arsenal failed to reclaim their “Top of the league” position after a barren draw with London rivals, Chelsea, at the Emirates last night. The draw means that Arsenal are level on points with Liverpool who have a superior goal difference. Liverpool will spend Christmas as the League leaders.
It was a windy and wet affair at the Emirates which saw Arsenal fail to register a shot on target until late into the second half. Chelsea drew first blood when Frank Lampard’s shot hit the woodwork in the first half. Chelsea continued their attacking football with Willian’s low shot comfortably saved by Szcesny. In the 36th minute, Theo Walcott appeared to have been brought down in the box by Willian, but Mike Dean would hear none of it. This didn’t go down well with the fans as well as Wenger. A furious Wenger said “It was 100% a penalty”. In another incident, Mikel appeared to have hit Arteta on the ankle in a sliding tackle but luckily for Mikel, he got away with it. Chelsea were unfortunate not to take the lead into the break since Arsenal were playing into the wind for the better part of the half. After the break, Arsenal showed some improvements as it was expected of them but Olivier Giroud wasted a handful of chances that would have seen Arsenal fire one past Cech to go top of the league and five points clear off Chelsea. Tensions and frustrations threatened to change the mood of the game when the ever calm Ozil was involved in a push and pull with defender Ivanovich but it was luckily contained by Mike Dean. Arsenal made several promising attacks for the better part of the last quarter but it was unlucky that they didn’t fire one past Cech.
Arsenal can reclaim their “Top of the League” status before the year closes with their next games, away at West Ham and Newcastle and hope that Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City will drop points.