It is one thing to spend money, but it is quite another to spend your money wisely. Arsenal's often-ignored owners have shown their support this summer by providing Mikel Arteta more than 130 million in new talent to help bridge the gap between them and the Premier League's top contenders. Arteta must deliver.
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Although it is too early to make a judgment on him regarding the Arsenal signings this summer -- Ben White, defender, and a permanent deal with Martin Odegaard -- Arteta has been given the components and the responsibility for assembling them into a team.
It is worth noting that Arsenal promoted Arteta to manager in September 2020. This was symbolic of his greater control over large swathes, including transfer policy, of the club's operations. Although Arteta had already won the FA Cup one month prior, it felt like a leap in faith for a thirty-year-old who was about to take on his first managerial position. His clear vision of the future and his promise as a coach, which he had learned from three years at Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, were key factors in the decision. Arsenal must now see this on the pitch.
It was painfully obvious how Romelu Lukaku bullied Arsenal’s back-line. And it could have been worse if Pablo Mari received a second yellow for dragging down Lukaku at end of a grueling afternoon. Referee Paul Tierney decided against it, though a sending off might have been more appropriate given the circumstances.
It was a metaphor that represented the two teams as a whole. One team is eager, purposeful, and powerful while the other is desperately clinging to life, never convincing, and ultimately outclassed.
Lukaku made his second Chelsea debut, 3,648 days after the first. His performance was capped by the goal. Although he didn't score in 15 of his 15 appearances between 2011-2014, he returned to Chelsea as a 97.5million signing and took only 15 minutes to open his account. He held off Mari well and handed the ball to Mateo Kovacic. Mateo Kovacic fed Reece James in huge spaces on the Chelsea right. Lukaku was quick to drive into the box after passing, and James' delivery allowed him to side-foot visitors from close range.
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A home crowd at maximum capacity was in a state of dismay. The initial mood, aside from a few empty seats, had been one of support. But that soon faded as they realized there was not much to rally around.
Chelsea led by two goals to James 10 minutes before the break. Arsenal did improve a little after the break but could not put Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in any serious danger. Lukaku had the opportunity to extend Chelsea's lead with a long-range header from close range that Bernd Leno saved brilliantly. This was just one of many dangerous moments Chelsea failed.
It was too easy. Lukaku, a top striker at Inter Milan, has been a success story for two years. His purchase, although costly, feels as close as a guarantee that he will succeed, especially considering his motivation and maturity at 28. Chelsea is not under as much financial pressure as their rivals to make every dollar count. However, afternoons like these show how smart they are in the market compared to many of them.
Arteta (middle) has been given new players and must now prove that he is the right coach to transform them and Arsenal into a winning team. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Arteta was also without several first-teamers. White, his 50m centre back, was not well, Gabriel had a knee injury and Thomas Partey was battling an ankle issue. Hector Bellerin also suffered a "tight hip" according to the club. Martin Odegaard couldn't be registered in time after arriving from Real Madrid. Alexandre Lacazette, Willian, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were not fully recovered from their Covid-19 testing. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could only make a 29 minute spot. Although the lack of cohesion is understandable, it was also a sign that Arsenal tried to get back in the game.
Lukaku managed eight shots and the Gunners only six shots in 90 minutes. Arteta's team had only three shots on target. The last shot came in the 63rd minute as Aubameyang tried to make a run from the box's edge.
Chelsea is the European champion and have loftier goals than Arsenal. However, Chelsea's European champions are Chelsea. Tuchel arrived mid-season to organize a team that was struggling under Frank Lampard. He quickly established an identity that has brought about immediate success.
Arteta has had a tough hand but must prove that he can play the game. Last season was ended by protests from fans at Kroenke Sports Enterprises after Arsenal's participation in the failed Super League project rekindled long-standing animosity towards the club's owners. If Arteta fails to make significant improvements in the next few weeks, that hostility will continue. However, the focus will shift to the dugout.
They have a short trip to Manchester City next.
