**Match Reaction Thread - Chelsea League Cup**

[LDG]

Is the Ozil lift coming to an end?

First 11 is very good, and we do need some players back to give a few lads a rest.

Podolski, Theo, AOC etc can't get back quick enough, as we need to start varying our game.

We haven't been able to change the way we play much just recently, for lack of options, meaning we're getting easier to play against.

[Xhaka Can’t]

That was evident today. Chelsea didn't break sweat.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

That was evident today. Chelsea didn't break sweat.

That was the biggest problem.

Mourinho used his usual tactics and completely neutralised us. Where was our plan B? We were too predictable and one dimensional. I would have cared less if we went out with a bang but we went out on a limp. Chelsea were in 3rd gear for most of the game.

[Marc Overmars]

That was the biggest problem.

Mourinho used his usual tactics and completely neutralised us. Where was our plan B? We were too predictable and one dimensional. I would have cared less if we went out with a bang but we went out on a limp. Chelsea were in 3rd gear for most of the game.

Yeah that was the most disappointing thing, it was all too similar to the countless other times we've made life very easy for them. It's not even a Mourinho thing either, you can count on one hand the amount of times we've beaten Chelsea in recent memory. Doesn't bode well for the big games coming up where we'll come up against similar type of tactics.

[IBK]

First 11 is very good, and we do need some players back to give a few lads a rest.

Podolski, Theo, AOC etc can't get back quick enough, as we need to start varying our game.

We haven't been able to change the way we play much just recently, for lack of options, meaning we're getting easier to play against.

For me, problem is that because of injuries we have been unable to build on the positive performances. Lack of options becoming obvious and its not surprising that there is a question mark over our winning credentials.

[Xhaka Can’t]

For me, problem is that because of injuries we have been unable to build on the positive performances. Lack of options becoming obvious and its not surprising that there is a question mark over our winning credentials.

There have been question marks over better Arsenal sides than this.

[IBK]

There have been question marks over better Arsenal sides than this.

Trying to understand what this means. For me, the real question is whether our team has really changed. First, we had worryingly few fresh options tonight, even against a Chelsea b team. Second, we can make excuses, but the reality is that Dortmund and Chelsea have done us at home quite easily, even when we have been more buoyant than we have for a while. We have been nearly there for years. Its starting to feel as though we are still treading water a bit.

[Özim]

Ozil was a great signing no question, but it was a get out jail card for the manager and club after a horrendous summer. Our start to the season has been fairly easy to be honest and whilst we've played well and got some excellent results and performances we've not really been tested (other than the Spurs match against a disjointed Spurs team with too many new players).

We coming up to a tough run now and on top of everything else our early season form has dipped badly.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Trying to understand what this means. For me, the real question is whether our team has really changed. First, we had worryingly few fresh options tonight, even against a Chelsea b team. Second, we can make excuses, but the reality is that Dortmund and Chelsea have done us at home quite easily, even when we have been more buoyant than we have for a while. We have been nearly there for years. Its starting to feel as though we are still treading water a bit.

It means that we have a fair bit of work to do to build a team that does not have question marks over it. We have had better teams than this in the not too distant past that couldn't cut the mustard.

We are improving, but there is a way to go yet.

[IBK]

It means that we have a fair bit of work to do to build a team that does not have question marks over it. We have had better teams than this in the not too distant past that couldn't cut the mustard.

We are improving, but there is a way to go yet.

Yes - I agree with you.