Arsenal – Chelsea: Easy Work For Rampant Rom (0-2)

Chelsea have added to their arsenal. Romelu Lukaku took center stage, as Thomas Tuchel’s team found easy routes to their new number nine. His addition may be Chelsea’s final piece towards a Premier League title under Tuchel, whilst Mikel Arteta might start to ponder if it’s the beginning of the end.  

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. 

The same game, nine months prior, landed an oppressive boot on one coach and was the saving grace for another. Preceding events showcase a better outcome for the team that changed, yet those ‘trusting the process’ have turned to old solutions. 

For Arsenal, that solution is the return of Martin Ødegaard. A ten-shaped hole had been fulfilled by the promising touches of Emile Smith Rowe, but it was the effect of Ødegaard that helped spark a better second half of last season for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Without him, the worst effects of Arsenal’s doughnut-of-death come into swing, last weeks defeat to Brentford is a strong example. In Arteta’s pivotal year, the return of Ødegaard is crucial.

Chelsea is strongly tipped to challenge for Manchester City’s crown. A stacked attack has been bolstered by Serie A’s MVP; Romelu Lukaku returns to the Premier League a few pounds lighter and a stock that has never been higher. Tuchel has identified his strengths as someone who can “hold the ball up”, but Lukaku bossing back-to-goal ability that no striker on the planet can match, something which . . .