Without having the ammunition to score, we needed to keep it tight and not make mistakes but it was just that, that cost us the first goal. Ramsey’s tackle looped high in between Jack Wilshere and Carl Jenkinson, both players hesitated not knowing who will deal with it. Jenkinson had moments earlier been in a similar position but decided to head it wide to touch line, it didn’t reach as far as he wanted giving a Chelsea player the chance to pick the ball up and continue an attack. Perhaps that was on his mind when he decided to try and head to Fabianski. Jenkinson did not generate the amount of power needed and Azpilicueta read it, got there first and poked past Fabianski.

Chelsea were the better team last night overall, it is difficult to say otherwise. It is amazing to think that they made 10 changes from their previous match. Looking through their side it struck me that most of them were either regulars before Mourinho took over or new big money signings such as Willian, Eto’o and the like.

Arsene will be disappointed not to qualify as he went the extra mile in order to win the game. Players like Aaron Ramsey would have been expected to have sat that one out but injuries and suspension to other central midfeilders pushed Arsene into using players who have clocked up enough miles as it is this season.

Although Chelsea started as the better and more cohesive side, I thought we grew into the game and used the ball pretty well. The exchanges between Cazorla, Rosicky, Ramsey and Wilshere caused Chelsea enough of a problem but the trouble was they did not have the quality ahead of them to make that difference. Football betting 2013/14 season would tell you that the odds are stacked against you when you lack that bit extra in the final third.

Ryo is promising and I like his work ethic. He chases back, puts his foot in and will run non stop with or without the ball. But promise isn’t enough against experience quality like Chelsea. Bertrand had his number and stopped him on several occasions.

Bendtner was well short of what was required on the night. I would put his lack of control down to a lack of minutes if I hadn’t been watching him for years but it was his lack of movement and closing down of the Chelsea players that stood out like a sore thumb. Bendtner gave us very little and when he was one of two offensive outlets for the team, the other being an inexperienced young player then scoring will be difficult and so it proved.

I take nothing away from Ryo but it is a shame that Serge Gnabry was missing. Amazing that even our third choice back up wide player was missing due to injury.

Without having the ammunition to score, we needed to keep it tight and not make mistakes but it was just that, that cost us the first goal. Ramsey’s tackle looped high in between Jack Wilshere and Carl Jenkinson, both players hesitated not knowing who will deal with it. Jenkinson had moments earlier been in a similar position but decided to head it wide to the touch line, it didn’t reach as far as he wanted giving a Chelsea player the chance to pick the ball up and continue an attack. Perhaps that was on his mind when he decided to try and head to Fabianski. Jenkinson did not generate the amount of power needed and Azpilicueta read it, got there first and poked past Fabianski.

Carl Jenkinson did not have a great game overall but I don’t buy the line that he isn’t good enough for Arsenal. I’ve heard it too many times with Ramsey for example. Carl Jenkinson started last season as first choice in place of the injured Bacary Sagna, he was fantastic and consistent, all the way until Sagna returned. I am not going to forget that run of games now.

The difference from then till now I believe is that Jenkinson started all pre season and into the league season. He played every week and had the continuity of games. Unlike Monreal, he doesn’t strike me as a player who can come in and out of a team and perform at the highest level. This is an issue when you are back up because a run of games isn’t always readily available. I am sure he will iron this out over time. I have no worries about Jenkinson for the long term in the slightest.

Juan Mata’s strike was superb, it was the type of strike that Ramsey and Cazorla had been trying to get right all game but unfortunately for us it just wasn’t our day. There were some good performances on the night. Nacho Monreal has been impressing me in the last few games with his attacking play. He drives into the dangerous spaces that Gibbs often does not. Gibbs tends to switch inside and look for a pass while Monreal likes to attack the space in behind. He doesn’t have the speed and athleticism of Gibbs but I wonder what his forward runs would give us when Cazorla has drifted inside to give him space on the overlap.

Aaron Ramsey looked like a leader, trying to force the issue himself, smashing in shots and driving at Chelsea. Rosicky had worked very hard in closing down Chelsea, he also passed well but just missed that cutting edge in the final third. The whole Arsenal team missed that cutting edge in the final third. Giroud and Özil came on when the game was over and Chelsea shut the game up.

We lost fair and square. Bendtner and Ryo were not going to break down a well drilled Chelsea team even with our creative midfield. Let us not forget that this reserve Chelsea side is worth far more than our first team. So before we go lauding the management of Mourinho, Chelsea and Abramovich we should keep that in mind. Five of the players who featured for Chelsea last night cost more than our pre Özil record signing. Without so many players in the final third out injured it was always going to be difficult.

I will quickly forget about this game if we beat Liverpool and play well. My fear is that this impacts us psychologically. Arsene will have to earn his corn and make sure that doesn’t happen. Like I said a few days ago, there is plenty more to come from this team this season I just hope we do not dip too far the other way before we get to that point.

Check out Iron Man’s Post Match Thoughts here