Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea: 5 talking points as Blues dominate London rivals at Emirates

#3 Chelsea the more creative side in rehearsal game

Thomas Tuchel's side produced the better chances in the London derby

The scoreline may suggest a narrow win for Chelsea, but the Blues enjoyed lots of control and captivating passages of play against their cross-city rivals.

They churned out chance after chance, but failed to add gloss to what was an exuberant performance. Hakim Ziyech, who sprayed wonderful passes across the field, ran in behind a high Arsenal back line, chipped the ball over Bernd Leno but overplayed it when all he had to do was pass the ball into an unguarded net.

Hudson-Odoi struck Leno's head with a shot, while Baba Rehman and Malang Sarr skied their efforts. Abraham, too, could have easily had another goal.

Chelsea were, by the far more creative side on the day. They played around Arsenal's defensive setup and managed to carve open chances which went abegging. Perhaps that's why Tuchel and Co. are desperate to sign a proven goalscorer.

Look at the pass from Ziyech WOW! pic.twitter.com/9fPl2LhHKn
— Munir 🇧🇪 (@CFCMunir) August 1, 2021

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#4 Chelsea survive late Arsenal scare to claim win

Tammy Abraham scored the winner for Chelsea

We've seen it numerous times in the last couple of years with Chelsea - they create chances but do not seal the deal and are eventually knocked back by a moment of magic from the opposition.

Arsenal did the same, as Granit Xhaka rose above the rest to head home the equalizer off a Nicolas Pepe cross.

The Gunners' defensive miseries worsened when N'Golo Kante came on. He first won the ball back just outside the box when Leno tried to cushion a pass to Xhaka. Poor decision-making from Ross Barkley cost Chelsea another chance.

But Kante was there to counter-press and win the ball back, before Abraham effortlessly put the ball into the back of the net.

#5 This London derby was a tale of two midfielders

Arsenal's Thomas Partey and Ruben Loftus-Cheek had a few feisty duels

This London derby was the perfect stage for the likes of Thomas Partey and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Both have come into the pre-season with a point to prove. Partey carried the good form he displayedagainst Hibernian and Rangers into this game.

The former Atletico Madrid man threaded a couple of beautiful through-balls to Aubameyang on the left flank.

An update from the boss 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 1, 2021

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Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, looked at his physical best as he shrugged off challenges and drove forward with purpose. N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho all provide different skillsets to Chelsea's midfield. Loftus-Cheek could add a powerful, penetrative one should he get enough chances this term.

Both Partey and Loftus-Cheek went shoulder-to-shoulder in the middle, with the latter's challenge forcing the Arsenal man to hobble off.