Arsenal 3 - Chelsea 1

I apologize for not posting this yesterday.

This was a game Arsenal really needed to win - at home to a major league rival - and they did. After a nervous-looking first 15 minutes, Arsenal grabbed the lion's share of possession and were rewarded just before half-time, when Alex Song netted a ball that was deflected in the box after a nice Arsenal move. That goal seemed to give the Gunners more self-belief, and in the first 10 minutes of the second half, they tripled their lead, thanks in part to some poor Chelsea defending. Given that Chelsea have allowed the fewest goals in the Premiership this season, credit must go to Arsenal's offensive pressure for unsettling the usually reliable Chelsea back four. The Gunners two second half goals were scored by Cesc Fabregas (from Theo Walcott) and Theo Walcott (from Cesc Fabregas). Even after Chelsea pulled back a goal from a set piece, Arsenal never looked flustered. They outworked Chelsea, out-muscled Chelsea, and out-played Chelsea.

This could be a real turning point for the current Arsenal line-up, if they build on it and turn out consistent efforts in the coming two weeks, which features tough matches away at Birmingham City and home to Manchester City.