Once beaten twice shy. However, this is slowly becoming a gradual downfall for the two top teams in London. Chelsea and Arsenal have produced the most below par of performances expected by the league in the recent two weeks or so.
The Blues had a change of guard in the management after the sudden but inevitable dismissal of Di Matteo though things haven’t been so smooth for the new boss, Rafa Benitez. He has faced one of the most torrid times in his managerial career with a goalless stalemate against Man City barely a week ago then a shocking 3-1 defeat to West Ham last weekend.
The defeat was accompanied with jeers and boos from the Chelsea faithful who up to now haven’t completely sunk the idea that their Russian billionaire owner hired Rafa to replace the services of Di Matteo, the same man who was the Blue’s arch nemesis. Numbers don’t lie. In the past seasons, Chelsea have always had a slump in December.
Call it a case of history repeating itself but critics would beg to differ that its Chelsea’s own outdoing that temporarily paralyses their performance. Well we can’t turn on a blind eye that December is always full of matches and they come in thick and fast as the festive period of Christmas approaches. However this cannot be used as an excuse for poor performance.
Is it that Rafa has new tactics that the team has to be accustomed to before they get the train rolling and back on tracks? Tabloids have it that there was a burst up between some individuals in the training camp. Across to the other side of North London, things have not been smooth either. Arsenal is in shatters. Wenger has been forced to carry the weight of all the pressure from the fans and the board following the poor performances that the team has exhibited the past few weeks.
The Gunners have only 5 points from the last 8 games they have played. Last weekend, Swansea rubbed salt to the already open wound. Two late goals from one mercurial Michu handed the Gunners a heavy blow in the gut that left fans chanting jeers and shouting boos at the end of the game. Wenger had been under immense pressure to at least deliver something, anything, possibly a win that fans had craved for after a nerve-aching stalemate from Everton during the midweek match day.
One could easily point out that what Arsenal needs is quality players to complement the rest that are there. However with the Gunners policy of tight purse strings it is hard for them to splash cash like the rest of the big boys and get already made players. January is around the corner and Wenger has hinted out on a couple of players who he would wish to join the camp. Reports have it that a bid has been launched for the new prodigy, Wilfried Zaha and possible negotiations have been tabled. It would be until the beginning of the year till we hear if the deal will push through.
The league is getting hotter and feistier each passing day. Failure to catch up with the leading pack means you automatically lock yourself out of the title challenge. The two London ships need to repair their leaking crevices before they completely sink. Tottenham are now a threat, slithering under the grass and have been on a winning streak. For some time they have caused a shift of power in the capital. There is no time to underrate opposition.
All wins are important. Both Rafa and Arsene need to think, and to think fast. Go back to the drawing board and see how they will salvage some dignity and rise to be among the big boys before the end of December. Is it too much of a task or can they prove? Tick… Tock…
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Hardly sinking, to suggest so would be to suggest they will both go down and not return. ‘Bad moment’ or ‘crisis’ would be better suited to both clubs current position or state but let us wait eh. I think you’ll find us both bouncing back to where we belong in due course, granted, that due course may be weeks or could be months or longer but it will come. As for Chelsea, I think you’ll agree, it is quite amazing that after 6 games without a win, we’re still 3rd in the league, 1 win and we could get that streak. Also, we are a team in transition, despite the ill judgement of the owner and board to not only sack RDM but to appoint that Rafa, from the start, I for one would have been happy with a top 4 finish this season with the all our new young players and changing systems, maybe a cup run or win and a happy holiday in Japan. Don’t get carried away, I recall the same knee jerk this time last year…..
Wenger is like mike tyson,early days he was good even excellent,he revolutionized boxing but as time went on he faded and retired,so wenger is on the same path he has lost his touch,even though arsenal had no money before he still got bargains,nowadays he can’t get a bargain to save his life,I appreciate what wenger has done but he didn’t create arsenal,some relationships go stale after a while,still support them but its getting ridiculous now
I agree with Marc. Chelsea has new,very young upcoming world beaters still adapting. The chemistry isn’t quite there yet but we certainly can see flashes of the future brilliance and dominance from the side. I’m pretty confident Chelsea will be too much for Manchester United next season and beyond. In this season’s fixture they only one through an own goal,lapses in concentration in defense and ofcourse the controversial sent offs. Chelsea had them pinned back,scored two in quick succession and looked like they will score one or two more to win. Even at full strength now,Chelsea will blow Manchester United out of the water. It’s scary to think what a full strength settled and matured team will do to them in the future.