Chelsea put a huge dent in Arsenal's title challenge with a 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium with Didier Drogba grabbing a brace.
Blues striker continues incredible record against Arsenal with brace
Chelsea put a huge dent in Arsenal's title challenge with a 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium, two goals in the final five minutes of the first half doing much of the damage.
Having started the brighter the Gunners failed to convert their possession into clear cut chances and the Blues punished them mercilessly.
Brilliant build up by Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole down the left set up Didier Drogba to continue his excellent record against Arsenal and side foot into the far corner.
Chelsea doubled their lead four minutes later when Cole crossed once more from the left only for Thomas Vermaelen to stick out a foot and divert the ball into his own net right on the stroke of half-time.
Despite much endeavour in the second period Arsenal continued to suffer at the hands of Chelsea's resolute defence and Drogba put the game beyond doubt when he expertly finished from a free-kick 25-yards out on 86 minutes.
It had been a bright start from the hosts, with Bacary Sagna's deep cross flicked back into the penalty area by Andrey Arshavin, but Cesc Fabregas was unable to make decent contact.
Robbed
Eduardo almost robbed England captain John Terry on the edge of the Chelsea box, but Ricardo Carvalho cleared the loose ball.
Chelsea, though, looked dangerous on the break and were somewhat unfortunate to see Drogba's run clear onto a pass from Joe Cole halted by an offside flag.
Nicolas Anelka, whose big break came at Arsenal, then went down in the penalty area as he got ahead of Sagna, but referee Andre Marriner was not interested.
There was a brief stoppage in play when the referee removed an object, which looked like a fake camera, which had been thrown on in the direction of Frank Lampard, the England midfielder fit again following a thigh injury.
Arsenal had plenty of possession, but lacked spark in the final third, with the absence of Dutch forward Van Persie painfully clear.
It was no real surprise when Chelsea went ahead on 41 minutes.
Terry played in Ashley Cole down the left, and he whipped a low centre across the six-yard box, where Drogba got in between the static Arsenal centre-backs to steer the ball into the net off the angle of post and bar.
Before Wenger could regroup his team in the dressing room, it was 2-0.
Cole was again the provider, as this time his ball from the left was deflected into the Arsenal net off Vermaelen's shin.
Injection of pace
Wenger had to do something to inject fresh life into his shell-shocked side, and it came in the form of England forward Theo Walcott, defensive midfielder Alex Song the man sacrificed.
Arsenal certainly had more urgency following the restart, and thought they had a goal back when Arshavin smashed home from close range - but the effort was ruled out for a high boot from Eduardo on Cech.
Chelsea almost grabbed a fortunate third goal when Drogba's shot deflected off William Gallas and then Lampard, but Manuel Almunia made a quick change in direction and touched the ball around the post.
Arsenal were getting desperate and called for what would have been a harsh penalty as substitute Carlos Vela went down under a challenge from Branislav Ivanovic.
On 71 minutes, Ashley Cole was replaced by Paulo Ferreira, the England defender clenching his fists towards the travelling Chelsea fans as he left the pitch, before heading straight down the tunnel.
Arsenal threatened, but once again lacked a decisive pass at the key moment.
Drogba wrapped things up for Carlo Ancelotti's men when he smashed in a 25-yard free-kick with four minutes left.
| Arsenal |
Team Statistics |
Chelsea |
| 0 |
Goals |
3 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 3 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 7 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 4 |
Corners |
3 |
| 17 |
Fouls |
14 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
6 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 83.3 |
Passing Success |
80.2 |
| 32 |
Tackles |
37 |
| 75 |
Tackles Success |
67.6 |
| 55.9 |
Possession |
44.1 |
| 59.4 |
Territorial Advantage |
40.6 |
|
