Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s men started brightly and went close early on through Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice’s chances. The deadlock was eventually broken by Mikel Merino, whose looping header from Martin Odegaard’s cross beat Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea net.
Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in the second-half and in the end Arsenal ended their three-match winless run in the league.
The Gunners are now 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, while Chelsea remain fourth. But Which Gunners star was a constant threat? Whose end product let him down? And who was a liability every time he had the ball?
Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN was at the Emirates Stadium to rate the players.
Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea
Mikel Merino’s looping header in the first-half proved to be the difference at the Emirates
Arsenal (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA: 6
Some good deliveries forward but had a huge lapse on 37 minutes, spilling Marc Cucurella’s volleyed shot which dribbled just inches wide of the goalframe.
JURRIEN TIMBER: 7.5
Applied pressure on that left flank and threatened with accurate crosses into the area.
WILLIAM SALIBA: 6.5
Positioning was good. Needed to be against some of Chelsea’s pacier players, like Neto.
GABRIEL: 6.5
Took on Enzo Fernandez in a physical battle. A real presence at the back.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 6.5
A typically assured display just days after earning his debut England call-up. Had Jadon Sancho under complete control.
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6.5
Energetic as usual and keen to get on the ball, but would have hoped for a better end product. His corner resulted in Mikel Merino’s goal.
DECLAN RICE: 7
A solid all-round display. Had a couple of shots at goal which were close; his low strike on 13 minutes was very close.
David Raya made some good deliveries forward but had a huge lapse when he spilled the ball
Jurrien Timber applied pressure and threatened with accurate crosses into the area
THOMAS PARTEY: 6.5
Kept looking to move play forward. Kept alert to his defensive duties when Arsenal didn’t have the ball.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 7
Looked a major threat in his sprints across both flanks. A promising sign for the Gunners on his first start since suffering a hamstring injury last month.
MIKEL MERINO: 8
Taking to his new striker role well. Scored off Odegaard’s corner, the ball going in off the back of his head. A good header. Had a well-executed volley saved on 60 minutes.
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6
Occasionally showed his dribbling skill in tight areas. Would have wanted to pose more of a threat around the box, a couple of his shots going wide.
Manager – MIKEL ARTETA: 6.5
Bounced back from three consecutive Premier League games without a win.
Gabriel Martinelli looked a major threat in his sprints across both flanks for the Gunners
Mikel Merino scored from Martin Odegaard’s corner, the ball going in off the back of his head
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
ROBERT SANCHEZ: 4.5
Looked to be a liability every time the ball went into the box, flapping at crosses constantly. Gifted the ball to Martinelli on nine minutes, who couldn’t capitalise. Though did pull of a world-class save to deny Merino on 60 minutes.
WESLEY FOFANA: 5
A number of rash challenges. On another day, he could’ve been dismissed. Lucky to get away with his stamp on Rice.
BENOIT BADIASHILE: 5
Kept finding himself out of position which the opposition frontline exploited.
LEVI COLWILL: 5.5
Found it difficult in a Chelsea defence that found itself stretched time and again.
MARC CUCURELLA: 6.5
Showed a fighting spirit for his side. Also looked a threat in advanced positions down the left flank. His volleyed shot so very nearly snuck past Raya.
Robert Sanchez looked to be a liability every time the ball went into the box during the game
Marc Cucurella looked a threat in advanced positions down the left flank and almost scored
REECE JAMES: 5.5
Had to adapt to a midfield position because of the domino effect caused by Cole Palmer’s absence.
MOISES CAICEDO: 6
Committed many fouls but kept fighting away, even when his side were struggling.
JADON SANCHO: 5.5
Struggled to get past Lewis-Skelly. Didn’t present the threat Chelsea required on the wings.
ENZO FERNANDEZ: 6
Showed much bravery and got properly stuck in. Led by example and nearly got himself in on goal through bulldozing forward.
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU: 5
Didn’t show enough intensity. Little created and not much movement to stretch the opposition.
Jadon Sancho struggled to get past Myles Lewis-Skelly and present a threat for the Blus
Christopher Nkunku created little and not much movement to stretch the opposition
PEDRO NETO: 6.5
Chelsea’s most threatening player across the field. Ran with sheer desire and through the channels in hope of getting service.
Manager – ENZO MARESCA: 5.5
His Chelsea team looked disjointed and lost.
