After a sobering week John Terry will have been relived to concentrate on matters on the pitch on Sunday, instead of the damming revelations about his private life that cost him the England captaincy.
Although the Three Lions armband has been ruthlessly ripped away from him, his role as Chelsea skipper was never in question. And, no doubt boosted by support from both his manager and the fans, Terry showed once more what an asset he can be.
Excellent throughout, he was the defensive rock in the formidable spine of players that Carlo Ancelotti has built his title chasing team around. Along with Terry the Italian has Cech in goal, Lampard in midfield and Didier Drogba up front.
The Ivorian loves playing against Arsenal and demonstrated this again with an impressive brace to take the Blues back to the top of the league and deal a potentially fatal blow to Arsenal’s title ambitions.
How Arsene Wenger would love a quartet like Cech, Lampard, Terry and Drogba to build his team around. Although they are technically impressive, the Gunners appear to lack those big game players that make the difference in the tightest matches.
Chelsea and Manchester United have both secured the double over Arsenal this season, a sure fire sign the north London club lacks the players to make that extra step.
Wenger has been praised for his tight financial management of the side, especially when compared to the money worries of United and Liverpool. But if he is sitting a £30 million war chest surely now is the time to splash the cash.
His dream of winning the title with his young charges, nurtured as teenagers through the academy, with sprinklings of experience thrown in on top, is looking increasingly unlikely.
It is your Wayne Rooneys and Didier Drogbas of this world that win you silverware – players that have that extra edge when it matters. Cesc Fabregas is a world class presence in midfield granted, but with Robin Van Persie injured there just doesn’t seem enough match-winners in his side.
The situation couldn’t be more different at the Bridge, with Terry leading Chelsea’s charge from the front. Indeed, Chelsea’s Premier League odds make them favourites to win the title.
In horse racing news, final preparations for this year’s Cheltenham Festival are underway as trainers look to ensure their charges are in top condition going into the event.
