Arsenal v Chelsea player ratings
Chelsea were well beaten by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 2-0 defeat.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: 7
Ridiculously overworked in the first half, and but for his reflexes the Blues would have shipped more than two during the Gunners onslaught.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7
The Chelsea skipper is not who Maurizio Sarri had in mind when he complained afterwards that his team lacked the dynamism and ruggedness they needed to repel Arsenal. He tried very hard to ignite the Blues.
Antonio Rudiger: 6
Had his hands full, with the Gunners playing with two strikers. At times he looked as imperious as ever, but twice went missing when Laurent Koscielny ghosted in to win close-range headers.
David Luiz: 6
Sloppy early play almost had Chelsea on the back foot immediately and he was lucky not to be red-carded after a reckless lunge on Aaron Ramsey. His long passes were still a vital feature of attacks.
Marcos Alonso: 6
Headed against the post at the end of the first half as the Blues looked for a way back into the match at 2-0. Saw plenty of the ball and got in many crosses – few of them dangerous enough. Second best when Alexandre Lacazette got around him for the opening goal.
Jorginho: 5
Earned a rebuke from the boss last week for being a bit off colour against Newcastle and this was another underwhelming display, with a few misplaced passes.
Mateo Kovacic: 5
Another of those curious games where the Croatian cut an anonymous figure for too much of the game. Chelsea needed more from him.
N’Golo Kante: 7
A few of those surging carries into enemy territory promised much, but his laudable attempts to quicken the pace of Chelsea’s often-stodgy attacks came to nothing.
Pedro: 6
Might have netted in the first half – lobbing over Bernd Leno after getting on the end of a long ball from Luiz. Scurried around as he often does, but petty fouls littered his play.
Willian: 5
He would have hoped to contribute more, especially after his return to scoring form last week. No surprise that he made way for Olivier Giroud for the final quarter of the game.
Eden Hazard: 6
Flashed one low cross invitingly into the danger zone but his evening was a tale of attempting in vain to find a way past a thicket of Gunners defenders. Not at his best.
Ross Barkley: 6
Had a shot charged down after coming on – one of the few attempts on goal the visitors managed, in spite of all the possession they enjoyed.
Olivier Giroud: 5
Received a great ovation from Arsenal fans, but need not have worried about avoiding the celebration of a goal because he never looked remotely like scoring, such was the lack of service.
