Arsenal beat Chelsea in the league for the first time in 5 seasons with the help of an unstoppable first half of football that saw them totally overrun the Chelsea backline on their way to an unassailable 3-0 lead by the interval. Following this, Chelsea came out in the second half with more killer intent, but Arsenal were able to repel any Chelsea attacks from doing any damage on the scoreline.
By the end of the game, Petr Cech had only seriously been tested on one occasion and he came up trumps at that against substitute striker Michi Batshuayi. The following are player ratings from the fixture:
Arsenal
Petr Cech: 7/10
He was untested till over 80 minutes when he produced a decent save off Michi Batshuayi. Otherwise, rarely called into action. Did his usual job of ball distribution impeccably and helped to start off a number of Arsenal attacks without fuss.
Hector Bellerin: 8.5/10
The Frenchman made himself a valuable option on Arsenal’s right in many of their attacks. Made a perfectly timed run to square the ball to Walcott for Arsenal’s second goal. Also did his defensive duties well, with a crunching tackle on Pedro to stop a goalscoring chance being his highlight of the evening.
Shkodran Mustafi: 8.5/10
Put in a good shift at the centre-half position and looks to be completely home in the Premier League now, unlike his first spell in the country with Everton. Made important tackles to shackle Costa and co. in Chelsea’s attack and was good at sweeping up, recycling possession and giving Arsenal a solid centre to build attacks from.
Laurent Koscielny: 8/10
As Arsenal’s captain and defensive lynchpin, he performed with an efficiency that has made many people wonder if his potential has been held back on account of being an Arsenal player. Looked every bit a world-class centre-half in the way he dealt with Diego Costa and won so many duels against him.
Nacho Monreal: 7.5/10
Continuing in a rich vein of form, the experienced Spaniard put in one of the best attacking displays of his career today. Despite not recording any goals or assists, he acted as an accurate crosser down Arsenal’s left and made full use of the regressing Ivanovic’s inadequacies in covering.
Francis Coquelin: 7/10
While he went off injured after 30 minutes of the first half, the Frenchman proved his mettle in the time before that, using his wonderful positional understanding and steely determination to force a number of turnovers by Chelsea. He was also instrumental in Arsenal’s domination of possession during the game.
Santi Cazorla: 8/10
Had a field day in office as Arsenal dominated proceedings right from the get-go. He recorded the most touches of any Arsenal player today (49) and looked every bit the part as Arsenal gave Chelsea a hiding in midfield.
Alex Iwobi: 8/10
He showed off some great footwork today to keep Ivanovic on his toes down the left, while he also had the sense to come central when the attacking situation demanded it. Found a peach of a through ball for Bellerin to cross to Walcott for the second goal.
Theo Walcott: 8.5/10
The Englishman seems to have taken his national team omission personally, as he put in a display today that should surely force Big Sam to notice him as a viable option. He displayed hitherto unforeseen good judgement in dribbling past players and launching balls into the box, in addition to finishing off a perfect Arsenal move for the second goal. Encouraging signs for the rest of the season ahead.
Mesut Ozil: 8.5/10
Besides Cazorla, Ozil today was the Arsenal player with most touches as he helped Arsenal run the game. Constructed a wonderful goal on the counter attack, building the move with a zippy, fast dribble before finishing off a speculative Sanchez cross emphatically. His understanding of spaces and player movements is unparalleled and was on full display today in a performance that will further his legacy at Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez: 8.5/10
Handsomely repaid Arsene Wenger’s trust in him by forcing the first goal of the game with his irrepressible energy, while also displaying his class in the finish he applied. David Luiz and Gary Cahill remained troubled by his work rate throughout the game, and he was involved in most of Arsenal’s best attacking moments of the game.
Substitutes
Granit Xhaka: 7.5/10
Played for most of the game, and clearly displayed his credentials for the starting role by keeping a calm, composed head and helping to build many attacks with his distribution, attacking work rate and was a complete nuisance for N’Golo Kante to compete against.
Kieran Gibbs – 7/10
Came on in the 69th minute and showed glimpses of his past days as a forward in Arsenal’s academy, with a good touch and instinct for knowing how and when to dribble. Could serve as an interesting option to throw on as a winger when Wenger wishes to try something different.
Olivier Giroud – N/A
Came on too late in the game to affect the game situation in any way. Did not have the best outing he could have hoped for, and one suspects that the combination of Lucas Perez, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck may undermine his starting XI credentials in the long run.
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois: 6/10
Faced 5 shots on target and conceded from 3 of them, although he could do precious little about any of the 3 finishes. He kept a cool demeanour and was the lone bright light in Chelsea’s otherwise ragged defence.
Branislav Ivanovic: 4/10
Was completely put off by Arsenal’s intricate play around the box, no longer having the pace and reflexes to deal with attackers like he did at his prime. Found out big-time against Arsenal, this game might be the one that forces Conte to drop him from his playing XI schemes. putation any favours today, failing to track Sanchez’s run that led to Arsenal’s third. Was taken to his wit’s end by Sanchez. Score – 5.5/10
David Luiz: 5.5/10
While he was personally not culpable for goals as he has notoriously been for a long time, Luiz did not do his reputation any favours today, failing to track Sanchez’s run that led to Arsenal’s third. Was taken to his wit’s end by Sanchez.
Gary Cahill: 3/10
Committed a howler that led to Sanchez being played through one-on-one with Courtois for the first goal, failed to pick up Walcott’s run for the second goal and failed to track Ozil in the third goal. Quite the collection of serious errors in a single game for the England centreback.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 5/10
Even the uber-consistent Spaniard, who has rarely ever had a bad game in his Chelsea career, had nothing of note to show for in 90 minutes against Arsenal. Was beaten comprehensively by Bellerin on a number of occasions, allowed a number of crosses from the left side of goal.
N’Golo Kante: 5/10
Was utterly outplayed by Arsenal’s midfielders. Put in a lot of ground and recovered possession on a number of occasions, giving his attackers a chance, but found wanting with his skill on the ball. Totally bowled over by Ozil in the sequence leading up to the third goal.
Nemanja Matic: 6/10
Perhaps the most consistent Chelsea player of the game. Threw his weight around, but ended up running around mostly chasing shadows in the first half as Arsenal set up base camp in the Chelsea half.
Cesc Fabregas: 6.5/10
Earned a return to the playing XI for this game but failed to create any significant chances as the attacking playmaker in the neo-No.10 role he plays in the new Chelsea setup. Substituted in the second half despite being the only Chelsea player consistently able to manipulate the ball in central areas.
Willian: 5/10
Was wasteful on a clear chance in the first half, and otherwise was plagued by a spate of bad decisions in the final third. Failed to create anything meaningful in attack and was duly substituted for Pedro in the 70th minute.
Eden Hazard: 6/10
Showed his usual composure, touch and close control, but Hazard was not allowed to run freely at the Arsenal defence, who were always well-set. Tidily defended by Hector Bellerin, and he failed to make any impact despite switching wings on occasion. Bellerin ran past him to square the ball for the second goal.
Diego Costa: 5/10
Was not provided enough service by Fabregas and co who were busy defending Arsenal from deep for most parts of the game. Made a few opportunities of his own by working hard on the defensive end of the game, but his impact in the game overall was very much defined by his anonymity up front.
Substitutes
Marcos Alonso: 6/10
Showed a cool and composed head in the second half to rejuvenate Chelsea and bring a semblance of competitiveness to their midfield after Fabregas’ departure, but does not seem to have the top-level quality required to create chances routinely against elite defences. Score – 6/10
Pedro – N/A
Michy Batshuayi – N/A
