Stoppage time provided a vignette of classic latter-Wenger Arsenal. Hearts were in mouths, and nobody knew whether to celebrate or panic or faint. Having taken a lead, then thrown a lead, and then seized back some pride with a last gasp equaliser, Arsenal’s defence evaporated completely as Chelsea almost won it all over again. “Never a dull moment,” muttered one fan to his mate as they shuffled out the stadium having witnessed another night of strangely confusing excitement against a top opponent.
Arsène Wenger recently said, albeit tongue in cheek, that he would prefer to play with one defender. Somewhere in there is a grain of truth, in that he has always been in thrall to the idea of what to do with the ball. Without it seems more of an afterthought. Make that an after-afterthought.
Related: Jack Wilshere says cutting out dairy and gluten means he lasts longer
Related: Effortless presence of Cesc Fàbregas makes his mark at Arsenal once again | Barney Ronay
Continue reading...