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Mikel Arteta and Arsenal FC had a wonderful boxing day
Photo: Julian Finney / dpa
Every year again:
Boxing Day is a cherished football tradition on the island.
Every year on Boxing Day, football is played, from the Premier League down to the amateur leagues.
For Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, December 26th is a special date for another reason: Exactly a year ago, the Spaniard celebrated his debut as a coach in London, when there was a 1-1 draw at the later relegated AFC Bournemouth.
From Arsenal's point of view, the anniversary against Chelsea offered far more reason to be happy - especially because the game was not to be expected after the last seven league games without a win.
The result:
Arsenal win 3-1 (2-0) against Chelsea, incidentally the tenth victory in a Boxing Day home game for the Gunners in a row.
Read the match report here.
The first half:
The first half hour of this game had little return value.
Mason Mount checked the outside post of the Arsenal goal for stability (13th) for the superior Chelsea FC, his free kick should remain the best chance for a long time.
Then first Reece James Kieran Tierney stumbled in the heels, then N'Golo Kanté Bukayo Saka.
Alexandre Lacazette scored with a penalty (35th), Granit Xhaka let a free kick sail into the right corner of the cross.
And suddenly Arsenal FC had a comfortable break.
The second half:
Much more eventful.
Not only because of the strange 3-0 by Saka (more on this later), but especially because of the final phase.
First, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy gave his compatriot and opponent Lacazette a great chance by putting the ball in his foot (83rd).
Mendy just parried the shot, after the following corner Mohamed Elneny hit the crossbar with a forceful shot (84th).
Then the connection hit fell, and Tammy Abraham pushed a cross from the right wing over the line (85th).
In the end, Pablo Marí caused a penalty by fouling Mount, but Bernd Leno prevented the game from getting exciting again with his save against Jorginho's penalty (90th + 1st).
A youth out of necessity:
Many prominent figures from Arsenal FC did not find themselves in the squad or only on the bench.
Thomas Partey?
Injured.
Gabriel?
Was in close contact with someone who had a positive corona test.
David Luiz, Willian?
Didn't feel fit.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pépé?
Only replacement due to weak shape.
The solution to the personnel riddle: Mikel Arteta gave his own offspring a chance.
Behind striker Lacazette swirled next to Saka (19 years) also Emile Smith Rowe (20 years) and Gabriel Martinelli (19 years).
The offspring thanked them with good performances.
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Bukayo Saka is perhaps Arsenal FC's greatest talent
Photo: Andrew Boyers / POOL / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
Math-magical:
Mikel Arteta has a ton of credit with Arsenal fans.
The Spaniard won the FA Cup in his first year, he won the Super Cup.
Above all, however, some in North London promised the return of the beautiful game, combination football.
After all, the ex-Arsenal professional had learned at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
Recently Arteta struck different tones: After a game with 33 unsuccessful crosses, he warned his players to just keep trying.
It is "pure mathematics" that you have to meet at some point.
Home grown Bukayo Saka took it a bit too literally: His 3-0 was a cross that slipped so that it landed in the corner (57th).
So, thank chance, Arteta's flank command and the hoped-for spectacle came together after all.
German Formloch:
Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are among the handful of German players who are trusted to be world class.
Her summer move to Chelsea was seen as the next logical step on the way to the top of the sport.
After half a year you have to say: The New Londoners still have difficulties starting.
Werner had hardly any scenes against Arsenal and was without a goal in the tenth competitive game in a row.
Havertz only played the joker role for the second time in a row - although position competitor Hakim Ziyech was injured.
Only Bernd Leno held up the DFB flag, his saved penalty saved his colleagues a lot of stress in stoppage time.
London search for meaning:
Arsenal FC can be happy after this matchday, but they are still only happy about 14th place, six points ahead of the relegation ranks.
Chelsea FC lost for the third time in their last four games, the next tasks are the surprise team Aston Villa and runners-up Manchester City.
And Tottenham Hotspur, recently celebrated leaders for a few brief moments, has now slipped out of the European Cup ranks.
London's big clubs have to be careful not to lose touch in the Premier League - not only in Manchester and Liverpool, but increasingly in Leicester and Birmingham too.
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