Arsenal edged past Chelsea in the first leg of the Semi Final in the League Cup by 3 goals to 2, in a game that could have been so much more for Arsenal.
They started the game perfectly by taking the lead from the first corner of the game, with Ben White heading in from close range and that was as good as it got from Arsenal in the first half, and at that point, I was contemplating at half time whether or not I would take a 1-0 lead back to The Emirates and decided that yes, I probably would be happy with that.
What happened in the second half left me feeling a bit different however, as Arsenal extended their lead through a Viktor Gyokeres tap in, following a mistake by Robert Sanchez, in what was a real striker’s goal and something the Swede desperately needed. At that point, I wanted that two goal cushion and I was gutted when Chelsea pulled a goal back through substitute Alejandro Garnacho, after Arsenal failed to clear a right wing cross.
There was still a good 25-30 minutes of football left at this stage so, fearing a Chelsea onslaught, I probably would have taken a 2-1 at this stage as well. Arsenal then turned the screw and really started to dominate pretty much all over the midfield and it wasn’t long before the two goal cushion had been restored when a lovely move was finished off by Martin Zubimendi. Now, at this point I, after taking a 2 goal lead for the second time, anything less than this was going to be disappointing. It was Arsenal who again threatened to take the tie away from Chelsea and should have done just that when Sanchez somehow saved from Merino, when it seemed harder not to score and then Gabriel bounced the ball over the goal from the following corner and it felt like Arsenal really should have been 4-1 up ahead at this point.
Chelsea were chasing shadows at this point yet Estavao, who was unreal all evening, forced a corner and Arsenal again failed to clear their lines and Garnacho helped himself to a second to reduce the deficit again.
That was the end of the scoring and what turned out to be a decent result, feels a little bit deflating, yet it still feels good to head back to The Emirates knowing we are only a draw away from Wembley. We move! This is how I rated the players:
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5
Passing was good and he had no chance with the first goal, but I think he should do much better on the second. Not strong enough. Made some decent saves as well, so it wasn’t a horrific performance by any means, yet that costly mistake means I can’t rate him any higher than a 5. David Raya should start at The Emirates.
Ben White – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Brilliant. Scored the first, made the second, strong defensively, as most of the threat came down our left. Some trademark overlapping runs as well and it was just a brilliant, all action performance.
William Saliba – 8
These ratings seem a little high for a team that has conceded two goals, but the individual performances were actually really good and Saliba is another who emerged with great credit. Handled the Chelsea forwards with relative ease for most of the night but it was his play on the ball that really caught the eye. Stepped out brilliantly at times and really helped us play through the Chelsea press. He has definitely gone up a level this season.
Gabriel – 7
Not as flashy as Saliba on the ball, but Gabriel got through some solid work defensively and defended crosses into the box well for the most part, yet he won’t be happy with the two goals that we conceded. Not necessarily his fault, but they were soft goals and Big Gabby doesn’t like to give anything away, so he’ll be seriously vexed this evening. Should score to make it 4-1 as well.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Out of position at left back, but this was definitely the right call, considering how dangerous Estevao was all evening. Timber struggled tonight. He struggled with pretty much everything to be fair. Defensively it’s unusual to see him beaten so often, despite how good the Chelsea winger was. From an attacking point of view, he took up some amazing positions, really strange to see him there at certain parts, but he was very dangerous. He failed to turn any of those instances into goals though and was ultimately too wasteful for me. Maybe it was playing out of position?
Martin Zubimendi – 8
Brilliant all round midfield performance, capped off with a fine goal. Really pulled the strings in the second half and found himself in some really advanced positions and made that count with the third goal. Seemed to go up a level when Mikel Merino came on. Lovely finish with his weaker foot as well.
Declan Rice – 6
Second game in a row when I’ve really not been impressed with his performance. Doesn’t seem to impose himself on the game as much at the moment and the running was there, but not with the usual Rice intensity that we’re used to seeing. Set up the first goal with one of his excellent corners, yet even that element of his game, the goal aside, was as strong as usual. Robert Sanchez caught one of his corners!! Like, proper caught it! Subbed for Merino, which tells it’s own story and I think we only got better from there, in an attacking sense anyway.
Martin Odegaard – 6
I don’t remember him doing a great lot, which isn’t a great sign from your playmaker, following a game when you score 3 goals. Was neat and tidy on the ball and you always get the feeling he could open up the opposition defence at any point, but it didn’t quite happen for him tonight. Subbed off with plenty of the game still to play.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Probably one of his better games up against Marc Curcuella yet it still wasn’t great. Kept the ball really well at times and won a couple of free kicks in really dangerous positions, which his teammates wasted. Never felt like he had the beating of the Chelsea full back and was largely peripheral as a result.
Viktor Gyokeres – 7
Far from perfect, yet this was a huge step in the right direction. Looked much more lively and made so many more runs than his last time out against Liverpool. Maybe he just needed a rest? Was in the right place at the right time to slot home the second goal, in what was a massive boost for the much maligned striker. Still subbed off, but he’d contributed quite well up to that point and also helped make the Merino chance as well.
Leandro Trossard – 6
His jinking runs always looked dangerous and I thought he was going to score a few times, but as with Martin Odegaard, it didn’t quite come off for him tonight. Lucky for him Martinelli did even less with his minutes on the pitch!
Subs:
Gabriel Martinelli – 5 – Not the impact I was hoping for. I really hoped he would help stretch the game, yet I don’t remember him getting at his full back a great deal during his 20-25 minutes on the pitch. Strangely seemed to drift centrally, which in turn left Estevao 1v1 with Timber, which is just a really bad idea.
Mikel Merino – 7 – Tempted to give him an 8, but not taking that chance to make it 4-1 means he stays as a 7. Linked the midfield beautifully when he came on, beast in his duels and to everyone’s surprise, I think he’s really pushing to start ahead of Rice on Saturday, based on current form.
Kai Havertz – 5 – Didn’t really get into the game. A few nice touches here and there but I don’t think he looked quite right in that right 8 position. Made one really dangerous run that Saka completely ignored.
Gabriel Jesus – 4 – I don’t think he’s good enough for what we need from him right now. I really don’t understand why he just jogs around after coming on as fresh legs. No intensity in his pressing at all and I didn’t even cheer that penalty at the end, as I knew he’d be offside. Looking along the line as well, which is unforgivable. Loses a point for that. So poor.
Final note – I’m a bit deflated with the overall result, but I can’t remember a time when we went to Chelsea and were as dominant as that, especially in the first 20-25 minutes of the second half, so I take really positives from that.