March 22, 2014. It is a grand affair for Arsenal. Long serving manager Arsene Wenger, is set to take charge of his 1,000th game in charge of the Gunners. It is a landmark occasion by every scale.
The party did not end well. Jose Mourinho and his gang inflicted a 6-0 thumping on 10-man Arsenal. It was Mourinho’s biggest Premier League victory as Chelsea manager. It was also the first time in Chelsea’s history that they put six past their London rivals.
In the end, though, it counted for nothing. For Chelsea that is. Mourinho endured a trophyless season, while Aaron Ramsey’s delicate outside-of-the boot flick ended Arsenal’s barren run without silverware.
The Portuguese was very aware of what just happened. And he acted swiftly. I am a huge Mourinho fan. For all his uncouth nature, he is very pragmatic and proactive. Hardly dithers. And he did not. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas had signed for the Blues by the end of the 2014 World Cup. Mourinho knew exactly what was missing in his team and sorted it out.
Wenger did not do badly though. Alexis Sanchez arrived from Barcelona, while Mathieu Debuchy was bought as Bacary Sagna’s replacement. However, the Frenchman failed to buy a proper defensive midfielder and a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen. Like I have tweeted severally, those two decisions might cost him dear this season.
October 5, 2014. It’s another London derby. Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge. Of course, we are not expecting them to blow the Gunners away like they did. But for some brutally honest Gooners like me, we know that a draw will be a miracle.
It was a simple affair really.
Twinkle-toed Eden Hazard slalomed through the heart of Wenger’s team and drew a foul from Laurent Koscielny. Martin Atkinson had an easy call to make. Penalty. The Belgian dusted himself and coolly put the home side in front. Imagine a player in the mould of Nemanja Matic, allowing Hazard all the time and space to dance through the middle. Just imagine.
While Arsenal huffed and puffed, passing for fun, Mourinho introduced another defensive midfielder in Mikel Obi (oh yes, he is a DM! Forget he masquerades as an attacking player for the Super Eagles). His plan was simple. Mikel Obi would sit along with Matic and give Fabregas room to create.
It worked a treat.
The former Gunners skipper lifted a pass through for Costa to expertly steer it past Woijiech Szczensy. Game over.
It was a limp performance from Arsenal. But their manager offered more fight on the touchline. When Gary Cahill drove through Sanchez, Wenger tried to get a good view and ended up flinging handbags with Mourinho.
Let’s be honest. When it comes to a wrestling match, Wenger might crush Mourinho. But when it is comes to speed and efficiency in transfer dealings and tactics, there is only one clear winner here. And we know who.
‘Ifreke Inyang tweets via @Ifreke
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