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SUB: Kai Havertz – 4: On for Kante in the 73rd minute, didn’t have enough time to make his mark. Still very much finding his feet, after the money-spinning move and then illness. EPA

ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno – 8: Commanded area when needed and then avoided a really tense additional five minutes for his side by saving Jorginho’s penalty at the death. EPA

Hector Bellerin – 6: Was a little poor when found himself in promising areas, but headed clear at back post at start of second half. Part of strong defensive display. AFP

Rob Holding – 7: Although leaves a lot to be desired when in possession, displayed expert timing in the challenge and blocked well. Even better given partner in central defence. Reuters

Pablo Mari – 5: Making Premier League debut this season, was booked for cynical foul on 15 minutes before recovering well. But then gave away penalty late on by diving in on Mount. Clumsy. Reuters

Kieran Tierney – 7: As usual, plenty of energy getting forward, and provided a real outlet on the left. Clever bit of play won his side their penalty. Reuters

Mohamed Elneny – 6: Not much influence with the ball, but plugged gaps in hosts’ midfield. Thrashed crossbar with a powerful shot when corner rebounded. Reuters

Granit Xhaka – 7: One of those days when his technique trumps temperament. Curled lovely free-kick beyond Mendy just before half time to double team’s lead. EPA

Emile Smith Rowe – 7: A real throwback with socks rolled down, he even had the temerity to nutmeg Kante. Taken off just after the hour, but fine performance. AFP

Gabriel Martinelli – 6: Was a constant threat and could’ve had a goal himself if wasn’t for Mendy. Subbed on 70 minutes as works way back to full fitness. EPA

Bukayo Saka – 8: Had been relatively quiet until he scored Arsenal’s third, a cross-cum-shot that sliced off his weaker foot. The smirk suggested strongly that he didn’t mean it. EPA

Alexandre Lacazette – 8: Lead the line well and kept his cool to convert the spot-kick to kick-start proceedings. Should’ve had another late on after a Mendy mistake. Reuters

SUB: Joe Willock – 6: Brought on just after the hour and was presented a chance almost immediately, but lifted well over the crossbar from the angle. AFP

SUB: Nicolas Pepe – 5: Introduced for the final 20 minutes, although didn’t see much of the ball. Freshness helped his side see out the game. EPA

SUB: SUB: Shkodran Mustafi – N/A: Too late a sub to make an impression. EPA

CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 5: If were picking holes, would say Xhaka’s free-kick wasn’t quite in corner, while his awful error nearly gifted Lacazette a second. Redeemed himself well, though. EPA

Reece James – 4: Conceded the penalty that gave Arsenal the upper hand, even if the contact on Tierney was minimal. Was slack in defence at other times, too. Typically, his delivery was decent. EPA

Kurt Zouma – 5: Didn’t really do too much wrong, but was part of a defence that was breached three times. Often was tasked with carrying ball out from the back. Reuters

Thiago Silva – 5: Similar to Zouma, yet carried serious threat in the opposition box. Would’ve been disappointed not to keep down one header, while really annoyed to head wide to pull it back to 3-2. EPA

Ben Chilwell – 4: Looked likely to provide Chelsea with a potent weapon in attack, then faded from the game. Allowed Saka to get into position to score, however fortunate the goal. EPA

N’Golo Kante – 4: The odd misplaced pass, which was uncharacteristic, and then a needless foul that set up Xhaka’s free-kick. Subbed off on 73 minutes. EPA

Mateo Kovacic – 5: Would’ve felt slightly irked at being withdrawn at half time, given he offered the away side energy in opening 45 minutes. Sure he thought others were more deserving of the hook. AFP

Mason Mount – 4: An early free-kick glanced the outside of the post, and did win the late penalty, but everything in between pretty poor. Surprising that he played the entire match. AFP

Christian Pulisic – 6: One bright note for Frank Lampard’s team, albeit hardly a consolation. Had three or four dangerous dribbles, and then showed nice feet to help set up the Chelsea goal. AFP

Timo Werner – 4: So wasteful in the first half, encapsulated by his tame effort from just inside the area. Longest run without goal since 2016, stretching more than 12 hours. Subbed at half time. EPA

Tammy Abraham – 6: Didn’t do much to justify selection ahead of Olivier Giroud. However, got the goal to drag his team back into it, albeit only following the now-obligatory VAR check. AFP

SUB: Jorginho – 4: Brought on at half time, provided some tempo but then spoiled it by missing his penalty, which would’ve given visitors glimmer of hope in injury time. Run-up remains questionable. EPA

SUB: Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6: Introduced alongside Jorginho for the second half, was Chelsea’s main attacking outlet. Looked sharp, crossed well, including the ball into Abraham for the goal. Reuters

SUB: Kai Havertz – 4: On for Kante in the 73rd minute, didn’t have enough time to make his mark. Still very much finding his feet, after the money-spinning move and then illness. EPA

ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno – 8: Commanded area when needed and then avoided a really tense additional five minutes for his side by saving Jorginho’s penalty at the death. EPA

Hector Bellerin – 6: Was a little poor when found himself in promising areas, but headed clear at back post at start of second half. Part of strong defensive display. AFP

Rob Holding – 7: Although leaves a lot to be desired when in possession, displayed expert timing in the challenge and blocked well. Even better given partner in central defence. Reuters

Pablo Mari – 5: Making Premier League debut this season, was booked for cynical foul on 15 minutes before recovering well. But then gave away penalty late on by diving in on Mount. Clumsy. Reuters

Kieran Tierney – 7: As usual, plenty of energy getting forward, and provided a real outlet on the left. Clever bit of play won his side their penalty. Reuters

Mohamed Elneny – 6: Not much influence with the ball, but plugged gaps in hosts’ midfield. Thrashed crossbar with a powerful shot when corner rebounded. Reuters

Granit Xhaka – 7: One of those days when his technique trumps temperament. Curled lovely free-kick beyond Mendy just before half time to double team’s lead. EPA

Emile Smith Rowe – 7: A real throwback with socks rolled down, he even had the temerity to nutmeg Kante. Taken off just after the hour, but fine performance. AFP

Gabriel Martinelli – 6: Was a constant threat and could’ve had a goal himself if wasn’t for Mendy. Subbed on 70 minutes as works way back to full fitness. EPA

Bukayo Saka – 8: Had been relatively quiet until he scored Arsenal’s third, a cross-cum-shot that sliced off his weaker foot. The smirk suggested strongly that he didn’t mean it. EPA

Alexandre Lacazette – 8: Lead the line well and kept his cool to convert the spot-kick to kick-start proceedings. Should’ve had another late on after a Mendy mistake. Reuters

SUB: Joe Willock – 6: Brought on just after the hour and was presented a chance almost immediately, but lifted well over the crossbar from the angle. AFP

SUB: Nicolas Pepe – 5: Introduced for the final 20 minutes, although didn’t see much of the ball. Freshness helped his side see out the game. EPA

SUB: SUB: Shkodran Mustafi – N/A: Too late a sub to make an impression. EPA

CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 5: If were picking holes, would say Xhaka’s free-kick wasn’t quite in corner, while his awful error nearly gifted Lacazette a second. Redeemed himself well, though. EPA

Reece James – 4: Conceded the penalty that gave Arsenal the upper hand, even if the contact on Tierney was minimal. Was slack in defence at other times, too. Typically, his delivery was decent. EPA

Kurt Zouma – 5: Didn’t really do too much wrong, but was part of a defence that was breached three times. Often was tasked with carrying ball out from the back. Reuters

Thiago Silva – 5: Similar to Zouma, yet carried serious threat in the opposition box. Would’ve been disappointed not to keep down one header, while really annoyed to head wide to pull it back to 3-2. EPA

Ben Chilwell – 4: Looked likely to provide Chelsea with a potent weapon in attack, then faded from the game. Allowed Saka to get into position to score, however fortunate the goal. EPA

N’Golo Kante – 4: The odd misplaced pass, which was uncharacteristic, and then a needless foul that set up Xhaka’s free-kick. Subbed off on 73 minutes. EPA

Mateo Kovacic – 5: Would’ve felt slightly irked at being withdrawn at half time, given he offered the away side energy in opening 45 minutes. Sure he thought others were more deserving of the hook. AFP

Mason Mount – 4: An early free-kick glanced the outside of the post, and did win the late penalty, but everything in between pretty poor. Surprising that he played the entire match. AFP

Christian Pulisic – 6: One bright note for Frank Lampard’s team, albeit hardly a consolation. Had three or four dangerous dribbles, and then showed nice feet to help set up the Chelsea goal. AFP

Timo Werner – 4: So wasteful in the first half, encapsulated by his tame effort from just inside the area. Longest run without goal since 2016, stretching more than 12 hours. Subbed at half time. EPA

Tammy Abraham – 6: Didn’t do much to justify selection ahead of Olivier Giroud. However, got the goal to drag his team back into it, albeit only following the now-obligatory VAR check. AFP

SUB: Jorginho – 4: Brought on at half time, provided some tempo but then spoiled it by missing his penalty, which would’ve given visitors glimmer of hope in injury time. Run-up remains questionable. EPA

SUB: Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6: Introduced alongside Jorginho for the second half, was Chelsea’s main attacking outlet. Looked sharp, crossed well, including the ball into Abraham for the goal. Reuters

SUB: Kai Havertz – 4: On for Kante in the 73rd minute, didn’t have enough time to make his mark. Still very much finding his feet, after the money-spinning move and then illness. EPA

Bukayo Saka 8, Alexandre Lacazette 8; Reece James 4, Jorginho 4 - Arsenal v Chelsea player ratings

Saturday's 3-1 victory over Chelsea was Gunners' first in the league in nearly two months

December 27, 2020

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