Arsenal fullback Gael Clichy admits Chelsea impressed him on Sunday.

There have also been suggestions recently that the Blues do not have as much pace as some of their title rivals. But having seen them up close on Sunday, Clichy says that does not make them an inferior side.

He told arsenal.com: "People are saying they are slow. But it is a solid unit. We pushed hard today but we lost and it is hard to take.

"You cannot say you played well when you lose 2-0 but we tried everything.

"It is always difficult to play against Chelsea because even if you have the ball and you feel like you are playing better than them, they have a strong striker up front in Drogba, who can play alone for the 90 minutes.

"You have to go forward and you think they are going to crack but they are really solid at the back."