Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink delivered a damning verdict on the gap between Arsenal and the rest of the “big four” after his side handed the Gunners their heaviest home league defeat for 32 years.
Hiddink believes Chelsea’s impressive response to the agony of their Champions League defeat against Barcelona was in stark contrast to Arsenal’s faltering effort following their European exit to Manchester United.
The Dutch coach is not the kind of man to gloat unnecessarily and his words carried no hint of glee but his message following Sunday’s 4-1 rout must be worrying for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Just five days after Arsenal were brushed aside with contemptuous ease by United, it was Chelsea’s turn to emphasize just how far the north London team have fallen behind their rivals at the top of the Premier League.
Alex opened the scoring with a header from Didier Drogba’s free-kick, then former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka lashed home a stunning second.
Kolo Toure’s own goal put the result beyond doubt and, although Nicklas Bendtner got one back, Florent Malouda confirmed Chelsea’s biggest win at Arsenal since 1960 and the Gunners’ biggest home league defeat since Ipswich won 4-1 at Highbury in 1977.
Hiddink made it clear Chelsea’s battle-hardened players have much more character than Arsenal’s fragile young talents, who are now 15 points behind leaders United.
“I think it [the score] is a good reflection on the gap between the teams. We are a team that likes to react. We have had some setbacks but we are real men who like a challenge,” he said.
“When you have big players you must discover if they want to work for each other. Everyone has ego but it is important that they help each other with the dirty work no matter the name of the player,” Hiddink said.
Although Chelsea’s European challenge ended in disappointment, Hiddink can still take pride in his efforts.
The Blues are now guaranteed a top-three finish in the Premier League and have sealed their place in the Champions League group stages next season — an achievement which was far from certain when Hiddink replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in February.
“It gives me great satisfaction considering where we were in February,” he said. “We told the players they had so much experience in World Cups and Champions League that it shouldn’t take much time to change things. They reacted perfectly in the league and Champions League.”
While Chelsea are back on the up, Arsenal face an uncertain future. The potential of Wenger’s squad isn’t in doubt but time and again this season they have failed when faced with more ruthless opponents.
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