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The Blues ran out convincing 2-0 winners over Arsenal in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. A goal on his second Chelsea debut from Romelu Lukaku was added to by a fine strike from Reece James to seal the deal.
The visitors wasted little time in assuming complete control of the tie, taking the lead through Lukaku in just the 15th minute. James’ effort in the 35th minute then doubled their advantage as the hosts looked to have no answers for a Chelsea side in full flow.
The second half was a more even contest as Arsenal made a fist of it, but Chelsea’s lead was never in any real doubt. They claimed all three points and secured another clean sheet in the process as well.
On that note, here are the hits and flops from the game.
#1 Hit: Reece James
James enhanced his reputation as one of England’s premier attacking full-backs with an all-round display that included a goal, an assist and several strong tackles and interceptions.
The young Englishman made full use of all the space he was afforded down the flank, particularly in the first half. He set up Lukaku for the opener before adding the second himself within 35 minutes.
James remained a willing runner up and down the right wing throughout the game and did not shirk his defensive duties. He did well to keep Arsenal in check as and when they advanced down his flank.
Like Marcos Alonso on the opposite flank, James seems to be thriving as a wing-back in Thomas Tuchel’s three-at-the-back system. He is sure to be a threat at both ends of the pitch this season.
#2 Flop: Bukayo Saka
One of the undisputed stars of England’s excellent campaign at the Euros, Saka is widely expected to inspire a similar series of positive results this season at Arsenal.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, Saka does not seem to have shaken off the after-effects of his exertions over the summer. H delivered a lackluster performance in his first start of the season.
Stationed out on the left wing, the youngster displayed a lack of match sharpness with a couple of loose touches in the final third. It caused a few of Arsenal’s attacks to fizzle out disappointingly.
Furthermore, Saka’s dereliction of his defensive duties afforded James far too much space down Arsenal’s left flank, which played a major part in both of Chelsea’s first-half goals.
Saka’s showings are sure to pick up over the course of the season. But this performance against Chelsea was far from what Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal faithful expected from him. His substitution on the hour mark was quite justified.
#3 Hit: Romelu Lukaku
It did not take long for Lukaku to mark his second Chelsea debut with his first goal for the Blues. He got on the scoresheet with a simple tap-in as early as the 15th minute.
However, the goal wasn’t all that he offered Chelsea in this game. The big Belgian caused the Arsenal defense all sorts of problems with his astute movement and formidable physicality.
While he spent most of the first half playing exclusively through the middle, Lukaku tended to drift out wide in the second half. He created spaces for his fellow attackers to exploit as he drew defenders out of position.
As such, this dominant showing serves as a warning to defenders across the league as to the considerable threat that Chelsea now carry in their ranks.
#4 Flop: Pablo Mari
Playing against Romelu Lukaku is an unenviable task, one that any defender would struggle with, and Pablo Mari proved as much in this game.
The Spaniard had trouble dealing with Lukaku’s pace and strength from the start, with the Belgian striker shaking him off fairly easily in the build-up to Chelsea’s first goal.
With a little over half an hour played, Mari even picked up a booking for a late tackle from behind on Lukaku. He was constantly searching for alternate ways to deal with the Belgian's threat.
It is to Mari’s credit that he got through the second half while walking the disciplinary tightrope. However, he still struggled to keep pace with Lukaku and was perhaps fortunate that the striker did not add to his tally.
#5 Hit: Mason Mount
Chelsea’s multiple additions to their attacking resources over the past couple of seasons cast a few doubts over Mason Mount’s future at the club. It was postulated that the young Englishman might struggle to hold his own amongst more ‘established’ stars.
However, Mount has proceeded to prove his doubters wrong and has established himself as one of Chelsea’s key players. His sparkling display against Arsenal was just another example of what he can offer on the pitch.
Displaying excellent movement and precise passing, Mount was a constant threat in Arsenal’s side and claimed the assist for James’ goal.
The young midfielder backed up his attacking display by putting in a strong shift defensively as well. He covered a lot of grass and made his fair share of tackles and interceptions.
