Chelsea gets blown out by lowly Arsenal in a trap game

Chelsea once again proves that even a team in pitiful, dismal form can beat the Blues, who continue to provide hope to even the worst sides in the league.

Even after knowing this was a trap game, Chelsea indeed ran into a far more dangerous Arsenal team than many had anticipated. Frank Lampard’s squad was soundly drubbed by the Gunners in a London derby on Boxing Day as the Blues once again proved that no matter how poor the current form of the opponent, they can still beat an uninspired, lackluster and vapid Chelsea side. The Blues fell right into the trap and were thoroughly outplayed, out-hustled, and outclassed by a young, inexperienced—yet determined—Arsenal side, 3-1.

Chelsea’s only goal from Tammy Abraham came too-late to make a difference at the 85′. Prior to that, the only Chelsea chance was a free kick in the first half in which Mason Mount rattled the post of the goal. Frank Lampard is missing the boat on technicalities as the team selection was also questionable. Lampard misplaced Werner once again and the Blues can hardly get a convincing sniff at the goal with him on the left wing. They once again didn’t create chances, playing the game on the back foot, and absent a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross and Abraham finish, there was nothing of promise in the attack whatsoever.

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Chelsea players showed no urgency. This has happened far too often this season as the Blues cruise in the first half, seemingly wanting the game and the ball to come to them. Lampard has to get this team going or they can forget about any title run or even a chance at the top four. Either the formation, the management, the players or all of the above are just not what Blues fans expected. A massive disappointment, to say the least.

Whatever the reasons, the attack, the intensity and winning attitude is not evident in efforts like the one against Arsenal. That has been apparent far too often this season and nobody can seem to figure out why. Whether it’s the overrated talent, the faulty formation, or the flawed preparation or all of the above, this team is underperforming dramatically. Chelsea previously hadn’t beaten a top 10 team in the table until the win over West Ham. Even then, a 3-0 victory was deceiving as the game was far closer than the final tally displayed. Yet, at least the Blues seemed to be beating the clubs they should beat. Now it seems even a flopping XI like Arsenal can topple over the fragile, lifeless and inept Blues.

At the half, Lampard inserted Jorginho and Callum-Hudson-Odoi in the team for Werner and Mateo Kovacic. It was nice to see Hudson-Odoi back in the team, but taking off Werner was puzzling as the German needs to lift his confidence, not be shoveled off at the half. This was another gaffe by the manager and a curious, counter-productive one.

The Blues’ metaphorical ship, once touted by many of us as a potential juggernaut, has lately looked more like a dinghy struggling against both small and large winds represented by Premier League opponents of any ilk. One good sign is that Lampard was justifiably livid after the game, as he should have been. That performance reflects on the manager, whatever the reason, but that fury has to be coupled with a statement on Monday with massive changes in the first team against Aston Villa.

Something is off-kilter in SW6 and unless or until this squad adopts a sense of urgency, it will continue to lose badly. Changes have to be made; formation, players, attitude or all of the above. An infusion of toughness is needed, but that may have to come from outside. Until this happens, this club in free-fall is headed toward the bottom half of the table. Perhaps some changes and some surprises in the January window will send a signal. If not, don’t expect miracles—they’re not forthcoming.

Next. Chelsea's Edouard Mendy is not the solution between the sticks. dark

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