26-year-old is weak link: Three things we learned about Chelsea in win over Arsenal
By Dominic Toner
Football Insider analyses three talking points from Chelsea’s 3-1 victory against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
Kante is top-class
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante once again reminded people how crucial he is to Chelsea. The 25-year-old is a top-class defensive midfielder and arguably one of the best in world football. He has been a revelation since he moved to England and pioneered Leicester’s unlikely title triumph last season. Kante has continued to impress at Stamford Bridge this campaign and is the unsung hero as they romp to the title. The France international has formed a great understanding alongside team-mate Nemanja Matic and the pair cover so much ground. Kante was phenomenal in breaking up play on Tuesday against Liverpool and match that performance against Arsenal.
Alonso is weak link
Chelsea gave a great team performance and have been the best in the league so far, with the 3-4-3 formation working so effectively. However, Arsene Wenger will be disappointed that his side didn’t punish the opposition and they missed out on the weak link Marcos Alonso. The wing-back has been a fantastic signing for Antonio Conte and is very strong going forward, scoring the opening goal with a header. Arsenal must be disappointed though that they couldn’t ask too many defensive questions of Alonso. If Chelsea are to be stopped, then teams must try and catch out the Spanish left wing-back as he can be vulnerable.
Hazard can clinch title
Eden Hazard delivered a man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal and scored a sublime individual goal. The 26-year-old can be a world beater on his day and showed his qualities against the Gunners. The Belgium international led the Blues to the Premier League title in the 2014/15 season and can do so again if he continues to perform like he did on Saturday. He is unplayable for defences when he is performing, something that Arsenal learned the hard way. Hazard has shown he can suffer dips in form and Antonio Conte will be wary of that, but if he is at his maximum he can secure the title for Chelsea.
In other Chelsea news, Jamie Carragher has compared the club’s defender to a Tottenham duo.
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