Arsenal Gunners vs Chelsea Whiners

What a match yesterday...amazing how a 1-1 draw can be a fascinating and exciting match, but that is what we had after a memorable Arsenal v Chelsea, London Derby.

Chelsea was unlucky not to win, having hit the wood work 3 times. But Arsenal should some true grit playing with a young team, missing some crucial players - Gallas, Toure, Rosicky and Henry. We had diving, hard tackles, whining from the Chelsea team, riveting goals, and near scores.

Some Thoughts:

• Arsenal did not look intimidated, and played their style of football. They passed the ball around well and showed some toughness in their tackles early on in the match. Arsenal showed that they were not afraid to battle the Chelsea superstars on a physical level. But they seem to run out of steam in the second half.
• Senderos.....oh he is aweful. He looks like the next coming of Pascal Cygan. Drogba is completely in his head, completely has his number. Senderos looked terrible from the get go, always shaky, never confident against the Giant from the Ivory Coast. Senderos was fortunate not get a penalty in the second half when he pulled down Drogba inside the 5 yard box. Senderos has not improved since he was first brought to Arsenal....he is still slow, he does not position himself well, and is clumsy in challenges. Maybe getting Abidal is not for cover on the left side but for cover in the middle of the defense.
• Clichy, Fabergas, Eboue, and Flamini - the youth looked good in this heated derby. Fabergas was doing a great job distributing and running the attack and transition for Arsenal. He showed some good flair yapping with the little traitor Cole in the first half. Clichy played well at left back, needs to be stronger on tackles late in the match, but had some great attacking runs. The same can be said for Eboue, he was a rock, unlike Senderos, showed that he was not intimidated by any of the Chelsea strikers. He too made some blazing runs on the wings. Flamini is showing that he is a good cover in the midfield. He had some good spurts and was not afraid to mix it up in the midfield. His goal was a pure Arsenalesc build up and strike.
• The Chelsea Whiners...I wish that Makelele would leave the club, that way my building hatred for them could truly blossom. They have taken on an arrogance and whining attitude that is so grating that I am actually rooting for Manchester United this season. Here are the biggest whiners:
• Drogba - he has become a world class striker, taking the success he had in France and finally showing it in England. I think it took him a season to really feel comfortable with the english game. But he is the biggest baby. Diouf is accused of being a diver and cheat, but I think Drogba is far worse. Any contact and he crumbles, surprising for someone of his build.
  
• Carvahlo - every time I watch him I wonder, how is he an international? He is terrible, not as bad as Senderos, but not far. He gets constantly beat to the spot, has horrible positioning, and constantly lunges when beat. He is the worst when it comes to clumsy tackles, yet when he is touched starts crying and complaining. If Mourinho did not have an infatuation with his fellow countryman he would be on the bench or back in Portugal.
• Terry - Since he has assumed both the captaincy of Chelsea and England he has become a prima dona, whiny, baby. Every time he comes up for a corner and someone puts a hand on him he acts with such contempt and anger that you would think he was Paris Hilton addressing some papa ratzi. I am sure when he is defending corner kicks he never grabs or pulls players...every time he is talking to the refs he acts as if Chelsea is entitled to get whatever calls they want. John, stop your antics and whining and be a true captain.
• Lampard - Another whiner, he too feels entitled, heaven forbid a defender or goalkeeper plays he tough and gives him a little physical play. He and Terry are acting like the prima donas they aspire to be.
• Shevchenko - I just feel bad for him, he is pushing to hard....maybe he should head back to AC Milan. He has no place starting....Robbens or SWP should be starting, give Chelsea some real pace on the wings.
• Cole - Ashley was all worked up, he should shut his trap and stop trying to be the next Shakespeare with his books. I was glad to see Fabergas stand up to him, I think the return match will be harder for Mr Tweedy with the Arsenal fans showing their "feelings" for their returning son.
  

I think this game was a push for Chelsea, Arsenal needed the win. Chelsea should and can defeat Newcastle midweek, that would leave Chelsea 4 points behind Manchester United. It will make the rest of the season very interesting...but I think I will root for Manchester United and Portsmouth....as well as any team Chelsea meets in the Champions League.