Apart from the fact that Arsenal need to go back to the drawing board on a number of issues ahead of the new season, what else did we learn from the Gunners’ 3-0 pre-season loss against Chelsea?
While it’s ‘only’ a pre-season friendly, as Arsene Wenger explained ahead of the clash, when Premier League rivals play, it’s never really a friendly.
And embarrassingly, Chelsea ran all over Arsenal during their meeting at the Bird’s Nest Stadium.
First it was Oscar in 2015 and now Pedro. Ospina loves savagely attacking Chelsea players. While many saw the funny side of the goalkeeper’s flying challenge on the forward, which led to him being subbed off bleeding and later taken to hospital, others recognised that it was actually incredibly reckless and dangerous. He’s a liability.
4. Cohen Bramall and Ainsley Maitland-Niles aren’t ready for first team action
Chelsea’s Willian shoots for goal as Arsenal’s Cohen Bramall challenges during their friendly football match at Beijing’s National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, on July 22, 2017. (GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images)
Bramall and AMN were poorer than poor against Chelsea.
They could barely control the ball and their first touches were awful.
The pair seem out of their depth. However, this is what pre-season is for. They’re young and will improve, they’re just not ready for the first team just yet.
3. Olivier Giroud is and always will be king
BEIJING, CHINA – JULY 22: Olivier Giroud reacts after missing a score chance during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Birds Nest on July 22, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images )
As soon as the striker set foot on the pitch, we looked a different team. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough but still.
Rambo was once again in his element. Well, as in his element he could be while everyone else, except for maybe Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka, was playing at a snail’s pace.