Heres a quote from Andy Gray on his thoughts on the match.
'Chelsea Are No Better Than Arsenal Really'
Monday August 08 2005
There are some people who are suggesting that Chelsea have all-but wrapped up the title before a ball has even been kicked. But that's foolish talk and anyone who believes that obviously knows little about football and how hard it is to win back-to-back titles.
Arsenal may have lost to Chelsea on Sunday but Arsène Wenger, and anyone else who watched that game, will have walked away thinking there's absolutely nothing to choose between the two sides. Chelsea were not better than Arsenal on the day - the scoreline flattered them and was simply the result of two good pieces of finishing.
I was quite impressed with both teams - I thought the fitness levels and technical ability showed that both are very much ready for the new Premiership season. Wenger might not be too happy with the result, but both managers will have been very happy with the running, the passing and the sharpness of their players.
We saw exactly what we would have expected from both teams - Arsemal were studious, deliberate and the ball rarely left the ground. For them it's all about possession and movement. I was impressed with Alexander Hleb when he came on, just as I was when I first saw him two years ago playing for Stuttgart. He looks equally comfortable on either flank.
It was impossible to tell from that game whether the Gunners will miss Patrick Vieira too much - there's no doubt that the first-choice pairing will be Gilberto and Cesc Fabregas, and I think we saw as soon as the Brazilian came on that his presence has a steadying influence on the team.
So we learned little that we didn't already know about Arsenal, and the same applies to Chelsea. Criticism of their tactics has been a little unfair - they don't just play long-ball football, they like to mix it up a little bit. They have variation, a Plan B that sometimes the Gunners are lacking.
Talking of what the Gunners are lacking, I am as massively surprised as everyone in the game that they're not showing any interest in Michael Owen. In fact, I find it extraordinary that clubs are not queueing up to sign him. He would practically guarantee 20 goals a season and I would have thought that the way Arsenal play - with speed and without too many high balls - would suit him down to the ground.
But obviously Arsène thinks that in Robin van Persie, Jose Reyes and Dennis Bergkamp he has enough options, and who are we to argue?
Chelsea might have won the league comfortably last season, but winning back-to-back titles is something else. Look at the quality teams Wenger has put together without achieving that feat. There will be no surprise element and no waiting for blips this time around.
Teams must improve again to win again and Arsenal and Man United will both think they can push them all the way, especially if Chelsea have problems with injuries or suspensions. Imagine a Blues team without Frank Lampard, Claud Makelele or John Terry for a long period of time. That wouldn't be a team that's unbeatable.
'Chelsea Are No Better Than Arsenal Really'
Monday August 08 2005
There are some people who are suggesting that Chelsea have all-but wrapped up the title before a ball has even been kicked. But that's foolish talk and anyone who believes that obviously knows little about football and how hard it is to win back-to-back titles.
Arsenal may have lost to Chelsea on Sunday but Arsène Wenger, and anyone else who watched that game, will have walked away thinking there's absolutely nothing to choose between the two sides. Chelsea were not better than Arsenal on the day - the scoreline flattered them and was simply the result of two good pieces of finishing.
I was quite impressed with both teams - I thought the fitness levels and technical ability showed that both are very much ready for the new Premiership season. Wenger might not be too happy with the result, but both managers will have been very happy with the running, the passing and the sharpness of their players.
We saw exactly what we would have expected from both teams - Arsemal were studious, deliberate and the ball rarely left the ground. For them it's all about possession and movement. I was impressed with Alexander Hleb when he came on, just as I was when I first saw him two years ago playing for Stuttgart. He looks equally comfortable on either flank.
It was impossible to tell from that game whether the Gunners will miss Patrick Vieira too much - there's no doubt that the first-choice pairing will be Gilberto and Cesc Fabregas, and I think we saw as soon as the Brazilian came on that his presence has a steadying influence on the team.
So we learned little that we didn't already know about Arsenal, and the same applies to Chelsea. Criticism of their tactics has been a little unfair - they don't just play long-ball football, they like to mix it up a little bit. They have variation, a Plan B that sometimes the Gunners are lacking.
Talking of what the Gunners are lacking, I am as massively surprised as everyone in the game that they're not showing any interest in Michael Owen. In fact, I find it extraordinary that clubs are not queueing up to sign him. He would practically guarantee 20 goals a season and I would have thought that the way Arsenal play - with speed and without too many high balls - would suit him down to the ground.
But obviously Arsène thinks that in Robin van Persie, Jose Reyes and Dennis Bergkamp he has enough options, and who are we to argue?
Chelsea might have won the league comfortably last season, but winning back-to-back titles is something else. Look at the quality teams Wenger has put together without achieving that feat. There will be no surprise element and no waiting for blips this time around.
Teams must improve again to win again and Arsenal and Man United will both think they can push them all the way, especially if Chelsea have problems with injuries or suspensions. Imagine a Blues team without Frank Lampard, Claud Makelele or John Terry for a long period of time. That wouldn't be a team that's unbeatable.
