From Martin : David Luiz
Hi Myles
Arsenal won that game because David Luiz was on the pitch for the opposition.
He has all the physical tools you would seek in a footballer and can be skilful on the ball but I have never seen a footballer so bereft of football savvy in all the years I can remember watching.
He really is genuinely clueless at center half and must be a nightmare to partner or be on your side at full back as you never know where he will be, as he certainly doesn’t!!
Arsenal were fast and decisive in their passing and movement and none more so than Theo, who flashed what he is capable of as a wide man, covering back tirelessly, spreading the pitch and coming in off the flanks when there was over load and no more represented than his goal itself.
Of course he has flashed this many times before and then gone back into the shadows but the difference is now he has buried the hankering to be a striker especially now there is so many in front of him now.
But back to Luiz, his presence really gave Arsenal the advantage and though Chelsea looked as if had tools to cause some damage going forward, you could just sense they knew it was a shambles behind them, no confidence in back four from midfield or the goalkeeper.
Its Matic or Kante, not both, and having them two in squad makes the only place would even attempt to play Luiz filled.
Never rated Luiz, thought his performance vs Germany in World Cup was actually worth criminal charges, and he was one huge reason Arsenal tore Chelsea up in first half
Noted you made comment to where Arsenal would be without Sanchez, but do think that’s true for any team with such a talent, and only the likes of Barcelona could not have same comment applied due to the multiple superstars they carry.
Arsenal do have best squad had for a long time, and new additions have definitely added much needed depth in key positions, and its just the keeping them key players fit that will see how far Arsenal go.
City are flying but they are one injury away from being normal. That’s how good De Bruyne is, he may wear a City shirt but love watching him play. A fraction of his football brain would transform Luiz!
Arsenal are in the mix, but there is case for any of top six being able to win league this year, as all have ability to go on runs of wins, but,equally,the league is so deep a run of damaging defeats is also possible.
It really is up for grabs this year.