Arsenal v. Chelsea 1-0 16/Dec/07

An exciting and exhausting game Sunday morning at Ashburton Grove led the Arsenal FC back to the top of the table again, following Man Utd clash at Liverpool where the visiting side won with an astounding goal by Carlos Tevez. Right from the beginning the Gunners showed a lack of creativity and the nervousness of the three figures in the midfield coming back from injuries (Fábregas, Hleb and Flamini) impressed in the first fifteen minutes. The five-midfield men formation seems to work out for Arsene although in many ways whether Bendtner o Adebayor look quite lonely and solitaire in front of goal. Chelsea also looked quite reluctant on attacking and came with at least three chances in the first half, but it was the late goal from skipper William Gallas after an awful and defectuous intent of clearing by Cech that set the whole picture of the second half. During a greater part of the following forty five minutes the main plot was the exchange of mentalities or what in professional trainings will be called "conversion-reconversion". This is: Chelsea gaining possession and attacking overloading the opposite are, while in losing possession an Arsenal counterattack will derive in a clear by the keeper and re-initiating the pressure system. This was evident when both Robin van Persie and Gilberto Silva entered in action. Van Persie's denied goals were a resume of the game; Chelsea erratic pressure and Arsenal appointment in precision.
It could have been more goals for both sides but Almunia and Cech showed the level required for such a competitive League. Almunia's clearance were effective and in time while Cech payed for his mistake even saving twice the rebound of a van Persie shot and the later Cesc ricochet. Overall a good game ending with the meleé on Cesc with Cole, showed a quite peculiar analepsis on Carling Cup's Final last year. Hopefully for England, Terry injury has been classified for a six week rule out. Eboué knee ligament strain is set for two or three weeks. "Arsenal's team spirit" as Flamini quoted it today was above expectations and ended the curse in beating Chealsea, never accomplished in the Mourinho era.
Regarding the Final in Japan between Boca Juniors and Milan, the Italian side deserved the Cup playing on a really fast tempo considering Italian standards. And retracting myself, Kaká played tremendously, earning, not for that game action, the recognition of The FIFA World Player of the Year. I just ask one thing from him; play all the finals like that because if not, you could break my heart and there are so few players that I still sigh when I watch them play, that I even got up early to watch them play.