It looked nothing more than a routine win for Chelsea on Tuesday as they dispatched Arsenal 2-0 in the Capital One Cup, and it highlighted the value of strength in depth when it comes to challenging for silverware on multiple platforms.
Opinions remain divided over the value of the English League Cup, with the current trend seeing Premier League teams using the various rounds as glorified reserve squad matches to give their fringe players a run out in competitive action.
Even in the case of the Gunners, who have not won a piece of silverware in eight years and who would have viewed this cup as a legitimate target at the beginning of the campaign, Arsene Wenger still preferred to hand a large number of his second-team players a run out, regardless of what the trophy would mean to the club.
However, the north London side's squad weaknesses were brought to the fore against the Blues as second-choice full-back Carl Jenkinson, one of eight changes made from the team that beat Crystal Palace in the league on Saturday, endured a horror outing at the Emirates Stadium. It was Jenkinson's weak attempt to head the ball back to his goalkeeper that gifted Cesar Azpilicueta the opener while another error from the defender after half-time eventually led to Chelsea's second.
It was not only in defence where Arsenal looked out of depth, though, with Nicklas Bendtner being given his chance to start up front, but doing nothing to warrant further looks from the gaffer following a dire, aimless performance. Ryo Miyaichi too looked lost down the right wing, the channel from where most of the Gunners' attack usually develop.
Arsenal had, however, started the match with the star players the likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla in the centre of the park, although the gaping holes in defence and attack made the midfield job that much more difficult for the hosts, and all too easy for Mourinho's Chelsea.
It was by no means a 'first-choice' Blues team that romped to victory, either, as no fewer than 10 changes had been made from the side that beat Manchester City 2-1 in the top-flight on Sunday, with Gary Cahill the only player to get the nod in both games.
However, where Arsenal's back-up pickings were slim, Mourinho was able to call on players who could otherwise make up another full first team squad and, more importantly, one capable of winning trophies.
As it was, veteran stars Juan Mata, Michael Essien, Willian, John Obi Mikel, Gary Cahill and Samuel Eto'o were just some of the 'fringe' players utilised by the manager on the night, signalling a massive gulf in quality in the respective tacticians' options.
The fact Chelsea could go from scalping one of the Premier League title hopefuls in City to chalking up a second successive win by besting their rivals in the League Cup just two days later is testament to the squad depth needed to challenge on multiple fronts, and it would appear the Blues have this in spades.
A lot of credit for the options at Stamford Bridge goes down to the club's free-spending acquisition of star players over the years, where club owner Roman Abramovich's fortunes have previously made deals for David Luiz (£21m), Mata (£23.5), Essien (£24.5), Oscar (£25m), Eden Hazard (£32m) and Fernando Torres (£50m) possible.
The recent transfer period alone saw Willian (£31), Andre Schurrle (£19m) and Marco van Ginkel (£8) brought in by the west London giants, while veterans Mark Schwarzer and Samuel Eto'o (both free) were also signed in preparation for another gruelling campaign.
However, even with the current crop at Mourinho's disposal, the Portuguese tactician is more than likely to again delve into the market come January, with a move for a better player or more competent cover always on the horizon.
And while money does have a big part to play, it's not as if Arsenal are struggling on the financial table, having posted the greatest profit of any of last term's 20 Premier League teams, while they flaunted their spending power with the £45million signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in the recent transfer window.
However, that proved the only notable move made by the north London club, with Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini joining on free transfers, while goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano was brought in on loan.
Chelsea, on the other hand, added no fewer than eight members to their squad, two of them on the free while the other six cost a combined £66million.
So, while Arsenal may have started the season in blistering form, leading to their place at the top of the Premier League standings, it is in their squad depth where some of the biggest questions will be asked - questions Chelsea already seem to be able to answer with 10 of their arms tied behind their back.
By Ryan Gordon
No comments:
Post a Comment