Chelsea 2–0 Arsenal

In a club's history, there are performances that speak volumes about how the team is being led. It can be a statement performance that catches the eye of the watching world, or it can be a performance so bad that it questions the path the club is going down, or even the club's very future. Arsenal losing 2–0 to Chelsea may not be a standout case based on their recent history, but in my opinion, it’s the last nail in Arsenal's coffin, epitomizing everything they have become. 

Arsenal aren’t going to win any silverware this year, so let's get that out of the way. When facing their crosstown rivals, the least they could do is give their fans something to cheer about. Arsenal apparently hate their fans, witness their passive, regressive display. 

During the first 45 minutes they had their backs pinned to the wall, trying to absorb Chelsea's attack. In fact, I shouldn’t say absorb; their defense was completely woeful. Reece James was unhindered on the wing, which permitted him to put in crosses, one of them leading to a goal. Pablo Mari was supposed to be marking Romelu Lukaku, but the Belgian forward tossed Mari around like a plastic bag in the wind. On the upside, Bernd Leno showed his class with a fantastic save against Lukaku. The goalie did well to slap Lukaku’s header onto the bar. What REALLY hampered Arsenal was a lack of leadership in the back four, which resulted in a communication breakdown. You’d probably find more leadership in a ham and cheese melty. 

Arsenal had no edge up front either, simply because the Gunners’ midfield was invisible for the whole game. Granit Xhaka may have had a great Euro campaign over the Summer, but it looks like he’s back to his inconsistent form. I'm not sure if he's back from vacation, because I couldn’t see him anywhere on the field today. Xhaka wasn’t the only one to implode. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe had to go narrow to mark Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić, which allowed James and Marcos Alonso to push high up. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang actually played decently after his long spell out, but he couldn't make much of an impact, as the midfield was unable to give him quality passes. 

All in all, it's another wretched display by the Gunners. Arsenal played with very little desire, were exposed in their own half, and had nothing going for them in the final third. I think it says a lot that even after 18 months of not being able to go to games, Arsenal fans were seen leaving the stadium in frustration, even before the game ended. For Arsenal's sake, I hope Stan Kroenke sees what’s going on, and sacks Arteta. It may not be enough to save Arsenal's season, but it could be a blessing for them in the future.

Chelsea are back with a bang! The West Londoners dispatch Arsenal in North London. First things first: THIS is how you run a football club. Arsenal and Chelsea are similar in multiple ways—both have owners with large sums of money, they both have great academies that produce talent, and both have access to the latest and greatest facilities and technologies. Here’s the difference: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea’s manager, made back-to-back Champions League FINALS, while Arteta was only hired because he played for Arsenal back in 2011. All you need to know is this—one is a competent manager who knows how to manage a team, while the other just started his career as a head coach and has had no previous experience. 

I don’t throw the word “masterclass” around a lot, but Tuchel produced one today. He made sure Chelsea would have a numerical advantage in midfield, meaning other Arsenal players would be drawn in, leaving spaces in their place. Lukaku was excellent today, as he’s superb at using his strength to get past his marker. Multiple Arsenal defenders were drawn to Lukaku to mark him, which would free up even more space, and allow for Chelsea to make overloads in the wing. Lukaku has everything that Chelsea have been asking for in a forward, and he's already paying dividends. 

Chelsea’s first goal came in the 15th minute, when Kovačić found James on the wing with acres of space. James then fizzed the ball into the 6-yard box. Pablo Mari was supposed to be marking Lukaku, but it was man versus mountain for Mari, and Lukaku easily shouldered him off to score a tap-in. Chelsea’s second goal was similar to the first. Kieran Tierney obviously hadn’t learned his lesson about going narrow, because he was dragged in yet AGAIN.

Mason Mount put a through ball to James, who was in on goal. The English international rocketed his effort into the top corner, a fantastic finish. Both goals were scored because Tuchel took advantage of Arsenal's tactical frailties. 

Lukaku was excellent today, being much more than just a goal scorer. I think people have forgotten just how good he really is, pointing to his price tag and calling him “overrated.” Even at Manchester United, when he was “off form,” he scored 28 goals in 66 appearances, or .42 goals per game, a good ratio. Lukaku is a lethal out-and-out number 9 who can facilitate plays leading up to a goal. He was a fantastic signing this Summer and will only become better. 

Chelsea’s performance today shows that they are ready to take on the league. Every position is occupied by world-class talent, who all have great chemistry with each other. Add a manager who is a born winner, and you have a team that’ll go toe-to-toe with Liverpool, Man City, and all the other Premier League title contenders. The rest of the teams had better be ready, ’cause the Blue Lions are BACK.

Arsenal are flailing in the shark-infested waters of the Premier League, and not much can be done to save them. They seem destined for an even lower position than 8th, and if they don’t straighten up, they may finish in the lower half of the EPL table. As for Chelsea, they maintain their perfect streak of 2 clean sheets, and 2 wins out of 2. The sun seems to be rising on the West side of London—but may be setting on its North side.