Chelsea v Arsenal is a match which all Chelsea fans will want to forget, they were expected to win quite comfortably but in the end it was Arsenal who looked comfortable, counter attacking with consummate ease. However, one ray of shining light was the performance of a Spaniard, not the number 9 but the number 10 who had a wonderful game yesterday, his control and cross for the first goal was superb and the goal that he did score was unbelievably good. He’s one of the best midfielders in the Premier League without a shadow of a doubt and he has impressed greatly since coming in this summer, his control, his vision and his finishing. He was the missing link in midfield that we desperately needed, linking midfield and attack, floating, ready to pounce.
Out of 52 passes, Mata completed a remarkable 45, an 87% pass success rate, he got one assist and scored one goal, he was all over the pitch, as shown by the graphic below, probing constantly and unfortunately when Chelsea were behind he didn’t get the same creativity from those around him to help Chelsea’s cause.
His overall statistics for this season are again wonderful, an 88% pass completion rate, 4 assists and 2 goals. Even that doesn’t tell us the whole picture as to how vital he is to Chelsea’s cause, firstly he has added creativity that was desperately needed. Without Mata, Chelsea would have been as slow and laboured in midfield as last season. Meireles helps midfield but Mata adds something completely different. Secondly, Mata is the key to Torres performing, yes, Torres didn’t do much yesterday but the vital signs of a relationship are evident.Torres has had new life recently and the introduction of Mata is a huge factor in this improvement in performance.
In conclusion, yesterday was a dark, dark day for Chelsea, defensively it was shambolic, Terry and Ivanovic were found out and the attacking full backs were caught napping on far too many an occasion. However, the one ray of light is Mata, one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and he is improving game by game, he’s a likeable character too, quiet and unassuming, just like David Silva, he’s a breath of fresh air to his club and the Premier League.
