Post Match Reaction: Chelsea (A)

It was ARSENAL who left Stamford Bridge with the points after an eight goal thriller. Robin Van Persie's superb hat-trick sealing the most entertaining game of the season so far.

Positives:
As a spectacle, it will be hard to find a more open, free-flowing, end-to-end game of football all season. Both sides stood toe to toe in what was an all-out-attack straight shootout. On the day, we had the sharper Guns and though the game was littered with defensive errors, it made for a great advert for the Premier League with goals and chances galore.
Laurent Koscielny was an absolute rock all afternoon and had a touch of Tony Adams about him as he mopped up every lose ball and jumped in front of every challenge in a do or die style. Sky Sports Jamie Redknapp described today as the day Koscielny came of age and it's hard to disagree.
Aaron Ramsey was instrumental in midfield, dictating every creative move in the same way Cesc used to in these big games, whilst Walcott was electric up front, capping his afternoon with a wonder goal.
As for Van Persie, where shall we begin?! Lethal with either foot, a cool head to round Cech for our match winning fourth goal, and always in the right place at the right time. Whlst £50m man Fernando Torres barely had a sniff, Van Persie was busy demonstrating why he is the best player in the Premier League right now with his 28th goal in his last 27 games and led from the front superbly all day long.

Negatives:
Despite banging in 5 at Stamford Bridge (the first time any side has done so since 1992), the day could have been oh-so-different thanks to numerous defensive frailites. Per Mertesacker was at fault for both goals and has looked more Igors Stephanovs than Sol Campbell since his arrival. The German's lapse marking of John Terry for Chelsea's second on the stroke of half-time could see him drop to the bench now Vermaelen is fit once more to partner Koscielny. Meanwhile, Johan Djourou looked very much out of place at right-back and was torn to shreds on numerous occasions by Cashley, whilst though impressive going forward, the way Juan Mata just bounced off Andre Santos to whip in the cross for Chelsea's first was embarrassing.

Conclusion:
With 8 wins in our last 9, it's fair to say we are well and truly back! Any side would struggle with the losses of players of Fabregas and Nasri's quality. And though it may have taken us a little longer than we would have liked, we finally look as though we are over these losses mentally and have the belief in ourselves and eachother to know we can win this kind of games. As long as Robin Van Persie is on the field, we will always have a chance in any game and the celebrations witnessed at the final whistle are testiment to our ability, our mentality, and back up Wenger's claim that the media have brainwashed fans into their negative perception of this current side.
We are now sixth, ahead of Liverpool - perhaps our main challengers for that vital 4th place slot - and though the title looks out of reach this year, let's kick on with this great run and keep moving up that table!