Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Nine things we learnt from the Emirates as Blues edge towards title

Including: Have Arsenal found their Makelele?

Francis Coquelin tackles Eden Hazard (Getty Images)

Arsenal still have plenty to do

The clash at the Emirates was a test of Arsenal's title credentials - not for this season but next... and they came up short.

There was plenty of talk in the build up of Arsenal needing to learn how to win, how to grind out games when not playing well and against the best. In a game of this magnitude, against a stubborn defence happy to sit back, the most important lesson is to take your chances when on top.

Arsenal dominated the first half with 65 per cent possession but for all their huffing and puffing they never really created that must-score chance, while they failed to apply the vital finish when they pressured late on. Arsenal look like they will be Chelsea's biggest challengers in 2015-16, but they still have much to learn.

Cesc's return

The Spaniard is booked for a 'dive'

The Spanish midfielder returned to his former home for the first time and it was a pretty happy occasion for the one-time favourite son.

Fabregas looked rattled in the early stages - and perhaps a little bit surprised - as he was booed mercilessly by the support at the Emirates. He was booked for a dive in the penalty area but on closer inspection it looked like there was some contact and without the theatrical fall he may have won the spot-kick.

It was hardly an eye-catching performance but he kept Chelsea ticking along, completing more passes than all players except Mesut Ozil. Was initially booed when taken off a couple of minutes before the end but then received a standing ovation from Arsenal fans who clearly remember his time here fondly.

Bellerin's big test

Hector Bellerin was again impressive (Getty)

The young Spanish right-back faced the toughest challenge of his young career and passed it with absolutely flying colours. Hector Bellerin kept Eden Hazard, the likely PFA Player of the Year, quiet, limiting him to a role on the periphery of the game.

The Belgian did not make a single one of his trademark runs and limited him to just a single shot - a long-range effort that ended up about 25 rows into the Clock End.

On the front foot Bellerin was a great outlet for Arsenal, his pace and willingness to get forward a real problem for Chelsea to have to deal with. He has a massive future at the club and from nowhere, could have ousted Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers as Arsene Wenger's first-choice.

Michael Oliver

The referee was a busy man at the Emirates

It's an often-made point, but refereeing a Premier League game is hard. Michael Oliver had four penalty decisions during the game and all of them were marginal decisions.

Oscar and Cesc Fabregas both looked like they dived - such were their theatrical flops - but on closer inspection after multiple replays from different angles, there was definitely contact on the two players.

Arsenal were incensed they didn't get a penalty when Gary Cahill handled in the box, but the England defender could scarcely get out of the way of a ball that shot up at him. Oscar should have had another penalty when David Ospina clattered into him - but Oliver's attention was probably diverted by the goal-bound shot, just like most of the stadium.

Slowly but surely, Ramsey returning to form

The Welshman is getting back to his best

He's not quite recovered the magic that saw him take the Premier League by storm at the beginning of last season, but after a long battle with injuries and loss of form, the Welshman is close to best.

Playing largely as a right winger, Ramsey caused all kinds of problems for Cesar Azpilicueta with some clever passing and forward bursts.

He may not have been able to provide that definitive moment to win Arsenal the game, but if he continues to improve it would be no surprise to see Ramsey start next season in the same vain he started the last.

Have Arsenal found their Makelele?

Francis Coquelin continues to excite Arsenal fans

For years, Arsenal fans and pundits have bemoaned a strong presence in the middle of the midfield, their soft centre being exposed time and again when it mattered most. In Francis Coquelin they have a player who fits the mold... or do they?

Coquelin is no doubt a very gifted player, strong in the tackle, comfortable in possession and a very good reader of the game. In the 15 games since his return, Arsenal have won 12, drawn one and lost two. But one gets the feeling that Arsenal might be even better with someone better than Coquelin in that position.

Is Coquelin really that good or is his strong performances a product of Arsenal benefitting from having someone (anyone) in that position? It may seem a bit harsh but imagine if Arsene Wenger had a Sami Khedira, Nemanja Matic or Sergio Busquets at his disposal as the man roaming the park in front go the defence.

Oscar struggles

Oscar is clattered by the Gunner goalkeeper

Came off at half-time with a concussion after what was largely an anonymous first period.

The Brazilian was playing out of position, of course, but he barely had a kick in the first half, completing fewer passes than every other outfield player except Gary Cahill.

A proper striker would have scored with the only chance he had and it probably did Chelsea a favour that he went off, as Mourinho was forced to play a more attacking style with the focal point 0 Didier Drogba - that they much needed to relieve the pressure.

Bad news for England

Roy Hodgson won't like what he saw

This Arsenal team has served Arsene Wenger very well in recent weeks and going into next season should probably make up the majority of the starting XI on the first day of next season (barring injuries and incoming transfers) - but that spells bad news for Roy Hodgson and England.

Arsenal have a large number of Englishmen in their squad but in recent months they have become increasingly marginalised, whether by injury or form. The likes of Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal and Francis Coquelin have won places with brilliant play in recent weeks.

Jack Wilshere, Calum Chambers, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck are all key pieces in the Three Lions squad, but seemingly less important for the Gunners now.

Chelsea get it done, unsurprisingly

Jose Mourinho's master plan is intact

'Boring, Boring Chelsea,' sang the Arsenal fans. Will Jose Mourinho care? Will Chelsea fans care? Of course they won't, they got the result, they've won the title and that's all that matters.