Chelsea vs The Arsenal – Player Ratings
Arsenal came back down to earth with a thud at Stamford Bridge as they had to come from behind to claim a point against ten man Chelsea. Arsenal were surprisingly without William Saliba in the starting lineup, due to a knock he picked up in training, and were therefore without both first choice centre backs for the first time this season, something which has happened only a handful of times since 2021.
Their absence could not excuse the poor performance though, as a lacklustre Gunners barely threatened the Chelsea goal at all in the first half. Brazilian sensation, Estavao, had a few sighters at the other end, but the first half’s main talking point was the dismissal of Moises Caicedo in the 37th minute for an ugly looking tackle on Mikel Merino.
At that point it looked like Arsenal would go on and win the game. I really wish someone had told Arsenal that!!
The second half started sloppily and David Raya had to be alert to push behind a Joao Pedro header, only to see Trevor Chalobah head home the set piece to put the 10 men in front.
Arsenal rallied, to a point, and drew level soon after through a point blank Mikel Merino header, following a fantastic cross from Bukayo Saka.
Cue the kitchen sink? Not quiet. In truth, Chelsea looked the more likely to add to their tally and David Raya did well to shop a powerful Liam Delap strike from the edge of the box. Mikel Merino did manage to work Robert Sanchez, with around 10 minutes, to go, although it was a relatively straightforward stop for the keeper.
The introduction of Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres did little to wake up a sleepy Arsenal team, who just did not seem to have the motivation or the know how to test Chelsea and turn the screw.
Arsenal again showed that their early season ability to be able to control games has waned some what, with the previous few games feeling very chaotic and they have now gone four consecutive matches without a clean sheet. The second of today’s game also saw the return of the ‘confused centre back routine’ as Hincapie and Mosquera saw a lot of the ball, seemingly pleading for options, with the midfielders apparently missing in action.
Arsenal also allowed themselves to play ‘Chelsea’s game’ by getting caught up in needless skirmishes and giving away soft free kicks that allowed Chelsea to slop the game down in a performance lacking the maturity that we’ve seen in spades in previous games this season.
Arsenal’s only really chance to win the game in the last minute of stoppage time, as Jurrien Timber managed to take a perfect Hiero Hincapie cross off the head of Viktor Gyokeres from close range in a frustrating end to a very frustrating match. It was actually very similar to the end of last year’s encounter at Stamford Bridge where Leandro Trossard look the ball of Kai Havertz’s toes with the last kick of the game. For some reason, Arsenal players seem to be intent on stopping their own teammates from winning this fixture! Two points dropped…
David Raya – 7
Could do nothing with the goal and actually made a few smart stops aside from that. Distribution was good. One of Arsenal’s better performers on the day.
Jurrien Timber – 5
He is human after all! After such a strong run of games for the Dutchman, he turned out a relatively average performance here. Offerred little in attack, even when against 10 men and although not much got past him down the Chelsea left, there was a lack of control and authority to his game, that’s been a staple of his early season form. Looses a mark for taking the ball of Gyokeres’ head in stoppage time. Might seem harsh, but I’m still reeling from the game and that would have been such a sweet finish to a truly awful game of football.
Cristhian Mosquera – 7
Decent performance, especially considering he was operating in a completely new defensive pairing alongside Hincapie. Competed well and won the majority of his defensive duals. Tried to push the team forward in the second half, but the question has to be asked, should that really be the young defender’s job?
Piero Hincapie – 7 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
There weren’t many stand out players today, but I thought Piero Hincapie was the pick of the bunch. Like Mosquera, he was thrown into the deep end a bit without the security of a Saliba or Gabriel alongside him and one slip aside (from which he recovered well) the new man acquitted himself well and seemed to relish the hostility of the derby. Robbed on an assist late on as his peach of a cross in stoppage time deserved to win the game for Arsenal.
Riccardo Calafiori – 5
Coped quite well with the livewire Estevao and tried to push Arsenal forward at times, with his run or final pass not quiet being good enough to create something tangible in attack. Picked up a needless yellow card for failing to realise that Chelsea weren’t going to let him just roam around midfield unaccompanied and loses a mark for that in an otherwise average first half performance. Subbed at half time so sticks at a 7.
Martin Zubimendi – 5
Another player who had a rare stinker and the fact that there are a couple in the same boat as Zubimendi, it’s little surprise that Arsenal performed so poorly on the day. Wasn’t able to dictate the tempo of the game, even when we had an extra man. Withdrawn with just under an hour played, which tells you everything you need to know about his performance.
Declan Rice – 7
We definitely didn’t see the Declan Rice that played against Bayern Munich in the week, but he was better than most as he looked to impose himself in a busy midfield. Was the only player who showed any urgency late in the game as he tried in vain to get his teammates to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Deserves better from his teammates.
Eberechi Eze – 5
A difficult one to rate as I don’t remember him doing anything of note at all. Another who was withdrawn with plenty of time to play. Absolutely anonymous. He gets a 5 based on his good work earlier in the week alone.
Bukayo Saka – 5
I think it’s because of how good Saka is, and how much we all love him, that these performances hurt that bit more. Kept the ball well in the first half and did well to lure Curcuella into getting himself booked however, I thought he was absolutely dreadful in the second half. Saka is Arsenal’s main man, the guy they turned to for magic, when the chips are down and things aren’t going well. In fairness to Saka, his cross for Merino was a thing of beauty and that’s why he gets a 5, as his all round performance in the second half was truly woeful. Pumped hopeful balls into the box without looking who was in there and then gestured that it was in someway his teammates fault for not making his awful crosses look good. Needs to do more. As far from a Captain’s performance as you can get.
Mikel Merino – 6
A real mixed back from Merino as he expertly headed in the equaliser from close range, yet I remember him giving the ball away twice in dangerous areas in the first half and then when he moved into midfield, all he seemed to do was foul Chelsea players, which allowed them to slow the game down. Probably deserves a 5, but I’ll give him an extra point for the goal, as that’s what he earned Arsenal, so that seems fair!
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
The effort was there, as he pressed well and made a few dangerous runs here and there yet I doubt Leandro Trossard will be too concerned about his place in the team after this showing. Never got the chance to get at Gusto at all and was withdrawn before the hour mark.
Subs:
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 4 – His recent struggles continue. Ponderous on the ball, didn’t protect it well enough and looked out of his depth.
Noni Madueke – 5 – Did very little to silence the Chelsea boo boys and to prove to the club that they were wrong to sell him. Struggled to beat his man, running straight out of play on occasions and generally added nothing to our attack.
Martin Odegaard – 5 – We needed to bring on that player who changed the game for us at Newcastle. Unfortunately the one we brought on was the player who was so frustrating for large periods of last season. Seemed void of ideas and created absolutely nothing during his time on the pitch.
Viktor Gyokeres – 6 – The only substitute who actually improved the team. Ran the channels well, created space for others, kicked Robert Sanchez in the face and could have grabbed the winner if Timber hadn’t put a tenner on a draw before the game!