ARSENE TROOPS CELEBRATE ANNIV
The Frenchman celebrates 20 years as Arsenal manager this week and it could have been a damp squib against a side that has proved his nemesis since he moved to these shores. So he certainly would not have expected Chelsea’s Gary Cahill to deliver his first gift. The England defender hit a horrific back pass to let in Alexis Sanchez to fire Arsenal ahead. And three minutes later it was party time, as Theo Walcott added the second. Wenger had not enjoyed a win in nine games against Chelsea – but this was payback time and his team was up for the challenge. Alexis Sanchez played to his full potential, Mesut Ozil oozed quality while Walcott was a constant menace. Then there was Hector Bellerin, masterful in defence. This was Arsenal in their pomp. Chelsea offered isolated threats but Diego Costa has never been one to throw in the towel. His hot temper finally got him a yellow card but it might have been a different result if several of his team-mates had shown the same level of commitment. Little was seen of Eden Hazard, Wi l l i a n or Cesc Fabregas, although Costa Arsenal’s defence on full alert.
The real quality came from Arsenal, though, with what was the best first-half performance many fans will have seen for years.
Wenger recalled a host of stars after making 11 changes from Tuesday night’s EFL Cup win at Nottingham Forest and it worked.
This was the Gunners boss’s 55th game against Chelsea – he has only faced more against Manchester United – and it could not have been sweeter, particularly during his wrestling days with Jose Mourinho.
Five wins now gives Arsenal their best start for over a year and it could not have begun better when Cahill kept miscued a back pass and Sanchez after 11 minutes. And Cahill was stil in his hands when Arsenal struck a Alex Iwobi fed Bellerin out wide on cross was sweetly turned home by W Then it became almost showtime through the gears, having more midfield and certainly in atta The tension was high as t don clubs collided once m Tackles were flyin full-blooded gam neutrals alike. As for Ch they must b is going o start to th There s o meth particul where th creativi Their looking Antonio task ahe to their f At leas Costa, a who nev He was fans ever the ball bu him more menacin He was forever in