“Have you ever seen Chelsea play like this?”
89 comments April 2nd, 2006
So the Arsenal fans sang, and, whilst I admit I haven’t watched every Chelsea game this season, the answer is a resounding “no”.
There was no European hangover as Arsenal destroyed a sorry Aston Villa 5-0. The first goal was a scrappy effort from Emmanuel Adebayor, added to by a sublime Henry lob from Jose Reyes’ raking long ball.
After half-time, an Adebayor backheel allowed Henry time and space to plant a thirty-yard curler into the far corner, before Henry was withdrawn partly to save himself for Juventus, and partly to spare Villa any further embarassment. However, his replacement, a returning Robin van Persie, promptly sidestepped two Villa defenders and the goalkeeper to smash home a goal of typically outrageous skill.
The rout was not yet over – another pacey break from Adebayor took him well clear of the rest of the side – or so it seemed. From nowhere, another subsitute, Abou Diaby sprinted into the box to get alongside Adebayor and cooly finish for his first Arsenal goal. Vieira couldn’t have done it better.
It was a really excellent performance, with special mention for the new boy, Adebayor.
His pace and movement were a handful all afternoon. Nobody else in the squad would have scored the goal he did – he brings something different. Add that to two assists, and he is starting to look an excellent acquisition. The Kanu comparisons, as I have always said, do not do him justice. Add some Drogba-esque pace and power to that mix and your getting closer.
The most pleasing thing about the performance was that even at 5-0, Lehmann and the back four were absolutely determined to keep a clean-sheet: a really encouraging sign.
Nothing is perfect, however, and injuries to Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Eboue tainted an otherwise brilliant day, with Spurs and Bolton also losing.
Wenger said of Cesc, “Fabregas’ foot has blown up. That’s not a good sign.” Damn right it’s not. You would’ve thought the groundsmen would’ve noticed any mines on the pitch before kickoff.
Both players are rated at 50/50 for Wednesday’s tie with Juventus. 5-0 again?
Somehow, I doubt it.
