There was a London derby between two of London’s biggest clubs; only this time, the derby didn’t take place in London but far away from the Queen’s country in a preseason fixture played at the Bird's nest stadium in China. Chelsea thrashed mercilessly and we couldn’t help but make some observations.
When it comes to a battle between these two (Arsenal and Chelsea), no stone is left unturned. Arsene Wenger had reiterated before the game that although it was a friendly game, their was nothing friendly between the teams involved.
“It’s a friendly between Chelsea and Arsenal, that means it's not really a friendly. There is always some desire to have superiority.”
The 55,000-strong crowd that trooped to the Bird’s nest stadium in China’s capital city were thrilled to some exhilarating action by two of the Premier League’s best teams.
Chelsea brushed aside Arsene Wenger’s men in style as the Gunners capitulated in their first real test in the preseason. Michy Batshuayi and Willian starred brilliantly with the Arsenal troop looking desperately in need of a lift. Here’s what we learned from that encounter.
Michy Batshuayi deserves more
Batshuayi proved too good for the Arsenal defence
Towards the tail of last season, Michy Batshuayi gave us a glimpse of his stuff. The witty Belgian has carried on that form into preseason.
Against a below-par Arsenal side, Batshuayi proved to be both hammer and nail on the coffin of Arsene Wenger’s faltering side that never really threatened the Blues. The Bat-man popped up with two superb left-footed strikes that made David Ospina look ever so childish in the Arsenal goal.
Last season Batshuayi scored five Premier League goals from his eight shots on target even though he only made one start and 19 substitute appearances.
Batshuayi, 23, is proving to Conte that he deserves more minutes if he must deliver the goods for the Premier League Champions.
Lacazette will need time to adapt
Arsenal's new record signing Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette cut a lackadaisical figure in a below-average first half performance from the Arsenal record signing. Lacazette’s no-show can easily be attributed to poor service from Arsenal’s midfield runners or perhaps Chelsea’s overwhelming performance. Whatever the case, the French striker showed just how new he was to the Arsenal system, an implication that the striker would need time to adapt.
Former Gunner, Robert Pires, had highlighted this when he told the BBC:
"He [Lacazette] is a good striker who has scored a lot of goals with Lyon. Of course, it will be very difficult in the beginning; I think he'll be a success. But maybe he will need time to adapt,”
Against Chelsea, Lacazette proved that his countryman might just be spot on about him.
Conte’s team still a tough nut to crack
Last season, Antonio Conte successfully setup a Chelsea side that was a tough nut to crack in the Premier League. Against Arsenal, it was glaring that Antonio Conte’s team had not lost that feature. Chelsea looked in better shape than their London counterparts and wore them down from the first blast of the whistle.
Conte’s team dominated the FA Cup winners both in wide areas and down the middle. It was an epic performance by an Antonio Conte system that just can’t stop working.
Arsene Wenger has his work cut out
Judging from the way his team fell apart against Chelsea, Arsene Wenger needs to do a more thorough job if Arsenal is to mount any meaningful title challenge next season.
The Arsenal defence was haphazard, disoriented and looked suspect all through the game. The likes of Per Mertesacker, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Cohen Bramell were grossly incompetent during their shift. There was nothing good to talk about from Arsenal's midfield either.
With an attack that can’t score against the best and a defence that leaks goals, Wenger has his work cut out.
