FanCast columnist Hans Schmitz casts his eye over the second part of Grand Slam Sunday and felt Arsenal took advantage of the festive season and were more than happy to receive the gift provided by Petr Cech.

They say Christmas is a time for giving and not receiving and has ever there been a phrase so apt to describe the events from the Emirates this afternoon.

Petr Cech gifted Arsenal all 3pts in a game that they never really deserved to win as Arsenal refused to give anything in a steely performance that was a George Graham vintage.

The game was billed not only as the 2nd instalment of Grand Slam Sunday but the belated return of Ashley Cole, the former Arsenal pupil and hero of many who moved on to Chelsea as they bowed to his contract demands that the gunners were unwilling to match – kind of ironic that the make weight in the deal William Gallas would be the man to break the hearts of his former employers.

It was in truth not quite the spectacle one would have hoped but with Arsenal on the back of a poor run of results and Chelsea without the influential Drogba upfront, one could expect a cagey affair and it wasn't to disappoint as Wenger's men defended resolutely and held out after being gifted the earliest of Christmas presents from Chelsea's No.1.

Chelsea were the better side throughout the game and will feel aggrieved that they leave North London without at least a point but one thing they will show concern about is that they really don't look a threat going forward without Drogba leading the line. With the Ivory Coast striker expected to recover in time from his operation to take part in the African Cup of Nations, Chelsea clearly need to have to spend and bring in a quality front man because January is a critical month and they clearly lack bite as Shevchenko continues to fail to find his Premiership feet.

Win or lose today, it is clear both of these sides will be in the mix for the title come May. My fear is that Chelsea needs to take decisive action in January in order to bring a forward in who can come in for Drogba. Had the Ivory Coast man played today Chelsea would have won the game today as simple as that. Arsenal showed wonderful maturity today and showed a dogged resilience that many didn't think was in the armour and today showed that after a poor run that they are well and truly in this title race and there to stay.

Grand Slam Sunday was never going to decide the title as much as the press liked to bill it but just gave the country the opportunity to see the best teams in the country square up. While United fans will be enjoying a 1-0 victory over their North West rivals so Arsenal will take great pride in a result which saw their fans not only have the last laugh over Chelsea but a rather subdued Ashley Cole.