It’s easy to see why Antonio Conte is so popular with the Chelsea support.
The Italian manager heads every ball, reacts like a fan and generally looks like he wishes he was still out on the pitch playing and leading his team like he did back at Juventus.
Of course it helps that the team’s winning and leading the Premier League, but you get the sense that even if results went awry he’d be given plenty of leeway.
And Conte cemented his position as a fan favourite during the 3-1 win against Arsenal when he leapt into the crowd and disappeared under a flood of limbs.
Antonio Conte. Man of the people. pic.twitter.com/OwdeecZH8Z
— hash (@hashim0307) February 4, 2017
Chelsea had victory against their London rivals wrapped up early in the second half, with Eden Hazard’s solo effort adding to a controversial opener from Marcos Alonso.
Cesc Fàbregas added a third after a Petr Čech howler, meaning Olivier Giroud’s late goal was a mere consolation.
The result leaves Chelsea 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table – at least until Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City’s games are complete – while Arsenal could end the weekend outside the Champions League places.
Arsenal have two points more than at this stage last season, but Chelsea have more than double their tally after 24 games of the 2015/16 campaign.
