A dominant Arsenal display saw Mikel Arteta’s side run out 1-0 winners at Stamford Bridge, a game where Chelsea struggled to create anything in front of goal.
Arsenal were on top for the majority of the 90 minutes and really should have taken the lead through Gabriel Jesus after Gabriel Martinelli put a lovely ball into the Chelsea box. Jesus only managed to get a slight touch with his head as the ball went just shy of the post.
They did take the lead in the 63rd minute when Bukayo Saka’s corner was turned into the goal by Gabriel Magalhaes. The cross was poorly defended, with three Chelsea players unable to turn the ball out of danger before finding Gabriel.
Chelsea’s best spell came in the last 10 minutes of the game, but they still failed to create any clear-cut chances on Arsenal’s goal, a game in which Aaron Ramsdale had very little to do.
Here is how the players rated at Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy – 5/10
Made a few saves to deny Arsenal a second goal, but often looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10
Struggled to keep up with the pace of Martinelli, but often tried to push his team up the pitch, without too much luck.
Thiago Silva – 6/10
He cleared his lines well on various occasions and brought the ball out of defence well in the first half. However, he became a bit sloppy in the second half, where he should have done better in clearing Saka’s cross.
Trevoh Chalobah – 5/10
He did not look confident with the ball at his feet, often opting for the safe ball to the side or back to his keeper.
Marc Cucurella – 5/10
He struggled down the left-hand side, he found it difficult to progress up the pitch, playing plenty of balls down the left and finding no one.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5/10
Could not help his team progress the ball into attacking areas, often passing backwards and sideways as his side failed to play through the compact Arsenal.
Jorginho – 5/10
He really struggled on and off the ball today, failing to link defence to attack through Arsenal’s midfield.
Mason Mount - 5/10
A pretty non-existent display from the Englishman. Hardly had an impact on the game, losing the ball on multiple occasions being his input into the game.
Kai Havertz - 6/10
The German often tried to make things happen for his side up top and was probably their most threatening player in the first half, without creating too much. Could have done better to stop Saka’s cross for the opener.
Raheem Sterling - 5/10
Had some good moments in the first half, playing balls through to Havertz on a few occasions. But faded in the game, having little impact in a dominant Arsenal second half.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 4/10
Not his day against his old side, lacked any movement up top whilst his teammates struggled to provide much service for the ex-Arsenal man.
Substitutes
Conor Gallagher (64’) – 5/10
Played a good ball into the box, but a yellow card was his only other highlight.
Armando Broja (64’) – 6/10
A good cameo, offering more than Aubameyang in the little time he had, making some good runs on the ball.
Christian Pulisic (78’) – N/A
Mateo Kovacic (78’) – N/A
Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale – 6/10
Distributed the ball out well but had little to do in between the sticks.
Ben White – 8/10
An impressive showing from the right back, often finding himself in plenty of space high up the pitch. Whilst defending well at the other end, heading away danger that entered the Arsenal box.
William Saliba – 9/10
A clear man-of-the-match performance from the Frenchman. He defended his box superbly and always had to pace to recover on the few occasions Chelsea did get in behind. Whilst again showing his calmness on the ball, never looking phased by any pressure from the opposition.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 8/10
In the right place at the right time to get himself on the end of Saka’s low cross from a corner, getting the eventual winner. A game in which he hardly put a foot wrong at the other end of the pitch.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7/10
Always made himself an option on the left-hand side, whilst looking calm on collected on the ball.
Thomas Partey – 8/10
He protected his backline very well, stopping various Chelsea attacks throughout the game, whilst playing the ball forward well.
Martin Odegaard – 7/10
Not his best game this season, but continued to link play with those around him well, finding Saka and Martnelli out wide often.
Granit Xhaka - 7/10
Brought the ball forward well for Arsenal, whilst helping his side keep their superb shape in midfield to deny Chelsea any space.
Bukayo Saka – 8/10
He was a real handful for Cucurella on the right-hand side, where he found plenty of space to put some good deliveries into the box, and was rewarded with an assist with a great ball into a dangerous area to find Gabriel.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7/10
Like Saka, he gave Azpilicueta a difficult time with his pace and flair. His best highlight was the superb ball to Gabriel Jesus, who should have scored.
Gabriel Jesus – 7/10
Probably should have headed home to put his side ahead from Martinelli's cross but looked great in all other aspects. Won multiple free kicks in good areas for his side, whilst making great runs in behind throughout.
Kieran Tierney (78’) – N/A
Mohamed Elneny (87’) – N/A
Rob Holding (90+4’) – N/A