CHELSEA CLIFF NOTES

STREAM OF THOUGHTS AS THINGS HAPPENED

This is my stream of consiousness during the game.

Starting 11 is the best we’ve got. Main concern? It might only have about 55 minutes in it. The bench is going to be critical if we’re going to leave with a win.

CAN WE LAUGH AT TOTTENHAM? My boss traveled to London to see his beloved Spurs lose at home to a team that hasn’t won in the Premier League for 22 years. PEAK SPURSY.

Chelsea's starting 11 is very saucy going forward. All the pace, power, and clinical finishing needed to cause issues. Weak at the back, not good in the air. Can we capitalize? Is this a Nic Jover kind of day? We’ll see.

Back-and-forth start—teams look up for it. First big moment is Cole Palmer ripping off a 30-yard strike. It’s hit at Raya, who tips it over really well. Do not give that man time to do magic things.

Arsenal are doing a good job early on forcing Sanchez to make risky passes through the middle. Chelsea's center backs are struggling to build from the back with our spacing.

First corner of the game—Arsenal positioning themselves at the back post in a cluster. You have to imagine they think Sanchez is a weak point here today.

Chelsea has a young team of raw talent, and the common feature in most of them is pace. No slouches anywhere. Hard to get in behind them and win.

Saka loses his first one-on-one against Side Show Bob. Martinelli also needs to do some damage against Gusto.

Caicedo puts in a very heavy challenge on Odegaard. No yellow from Mr. Oliver. Let’s see if he’s that forgiving when an Arsenal player does something similar.