A routine night for both Chelsea and Arsenal, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side not quite producing “fantastic” on plastic but doing more than enough to repel and kill off their hosts in Moscow. The Gunners meanwhile fielded Cesc Fabregas and duly raised their game in a “score at will” 5-1 mauling of Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates.
Chelsea’s victory over Spartak saw Yuri Zhirkov flourish on home soil with a superb strike to set them on their way; Nicolas Anelka provided the finish for the second and Chelsea’s defence, with Petr Cech prominent did the rest.
Ancelotti’s lineup was strong and included both Ashley Cole and Michael Essien; both had been doubts going into the game and the Chelsea boss confirmed following teh game that the pair had both come out unscathed from their run-outs on the plastic pitch. Zhirkov came into the midfield for ankle victim Ramires, while Salomon Kalou made a return from injury to replace Gael Kakuta as part of a front three with Anelka and Florent Malouda.
Knocks and scrapes could emerge before Saturday’s encounter with Wolves and, while we’re still waiting on confirmed news on the situation with Alex, Ancelotti did confirm that Didier Drogba as in the frame for a return to action following the illness that kept him out against Moscow and Villa.
“I think that we had good news from Cobham today and he will be able to play the next game against Wolves.”
Going forward, Chelsea’s position in their group is now strong but Ancelotti hinted that they will not take the return with Spartak lightly as Chelsea go all out to top the group. That return tie is played on November 3, four days after Chelsea go to Blackburn.
“We have to stay focused for the next game, we want to arrive in first place, this is our aim and we have the possibility to do this, but we don’t have to give rest to other players, the Champions League is important for all the games…We’re not giving up on the match in London, we’ll go there to try and play well and get points.”
In truth it’s difficult to see Ancelotti resting players for the tricky Ewood tie ahead of the clash with Spartak, so last night’s result looks to be a decent outcome for owners of Malouda, Cole, Essien and Drogba.
Over at the Emirates Arsenal simply breezed past Shakhtar Donetsk, routing them 5-1 with skipper Cesc Fabregas returning to orchestrate matters. His inclusion in the side was the big headline for Fantasy Managers and his 63 minutes last night surely made him a certainty for the teamsheet at Eastlands this weekend, while the performance gave assurance of his likely impact now he’s back in an Arsenal shirt. Fantasy Managers will now be looking at their squads and searching for a route to recruit the Arsenal playmaker.
Fabreas took up his usual midfield role and saw that Abou Diaby dropped to the bench with Thomas Rosicky coming into the side on the right and Samir Nasri switching to the left, ousting Andrei Arshavin.
That move by Arsene Wenger has to ring alarm bells for Fantasy Managers and emphasises that suddenly, options in the Arsenal squad are plentiful. Theo Walcott also made a return last night from the bench and his name has to be added to a midfield mix that has Nasri, Arshavin, Diaby all under threat.
Jack Wilshere’s domestic three-match ban for his red received against Birmingham clears the clutter for the time being, but while he continued to impress with a smartly taken goal last night, he will add to the options further on his return in Gameweek 11. Owners of Arsenal’s midfield assets will surely be looking to make the upgrade to the untouchable Fabregas then, or chance a period where rest and rotation is a constant threat.
