By Boris Mellor
December 10 2006

This season Arsenal have had to play away after every CL game, but apart from Arsenal Times that issue has been ignored. Just imagine the fuss if Chelsea had to do the same.

Chelsea were doubly rested, they didn’t play last weekend and they had a meaningless home game in CL on Tuesday.

Arsenal had tough away game in CL on the Wednesday and a crucial derby on the Saturday.

Lets be honest how many Arsenal fans thought we could draw yet alone win at the Bridge without Henry, Gallas, Toure, and Rosicky, and playing with the youngest back four in the Premiership. So it was no surprise to me that Arsenal began to tire at the 70-minute mark. I must admit I was beginning to fear for the Gunners as Chelsea brought on the fresh legs of Robben and SWP.

Surprisingly Arsenal got a second wind and on 78 minutes some good movement by Arsenal set Flamini up for a shot at goal. A great shot, but perhaps Hilario could have done more to stop it, but it was in the net and for a glorious 7 minutes it seemed possible that Arsenal would defeat Chelsea. Chelsea responded with a terrific onslaught on the Gunners goal, and the ball hit the woodwork several times, but it was kept out.

In the end Chelsea scored a great goal, but only after Cole got a way with a foul on Hleb before Essien' wonder strike. But I have written too much on you Cole – lets leave Karma to do its job. I got a feeling you will win nothing this season. Just like Teddy when he first went to Man U. Even after the equaliser both teams had chances to score

Forget the moans and criticism’s this is no time to carp. This was a great performance against all the odds. Nobody gave Arsenal a chance, even a draw was 13 to 5, and an Arsenal win at 5 to 1. All the bookies and experts had the Gunners down for a drubbing. Every player gave their best and it gives great hope for the future, Gilberto was immense, the silky skills of Adebayor. Adebayor is going from strength to strength. He showed how to play the lone striker against the best defence in the Premiership. Fab, Hleb, and Flam were magnificent against a midfield that cost umpteen millions.

That Sheva made no impact against two youngsters. Over £50 million pounds worth of strikers could not beat two central defenders who cost next to nothing, or was it nothing? That Drogba was reduced to playing the fool. The man was pathetic, yes Jens got involved with him, but only after the Drog caught Lehmann’s head with his boot, and tried to con a penalty.

Mourinho can try to create a smoke screen that a draw is better for him than it was Arsenal, but he has thrown away 2 points (apparently he thinks its 1) from one of his games in hand. It leaves Manchester still 8 points ahead with only 1 game more played. It is ironic that the Special One had said before the game that Arsenal could only play one way, and is now complaining that they used Plan B. So why didn’t he use a more offensive team earlier than the 70th minute? He paid for his own conservatism. His Chelsea got a fright, only a super goal like Essien’s saved their bacon.

This Arsenal team was not bullied, the spirit was tremendous, and nearly pulled off the victory, but more importantly it demonstrated how great they will become. No ifs, no buts, it was a great result.