EPL 2016-17: Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea - Player Ratings
Arsenal beat Chelsea in the league for the first time in 5 seasons with the help of an unstoppable first half of football that saw them totally overrun the Chelsea backline on their way to an unassailable 3-0 lead by the interval. Following this, Chelsea came out in the second half with more killer intent, but Arsenal were able to repel any Chelsea attacks from doing any damage on the scoreline.
By the end of the game, Petr Cech had only seriously been tested on one occasion and he came up trumps at that against substitute striker Michi Batshuayi. The following are player ratings from the fixture:
Arsenal
Petr Cech: 7/10
He was untested till over 80 minutes when he produced a decent save off Michi Batshuayi. Otherwise, rarely called into action. Did his usual job of ball distribution impeccably and helped to start off a number of Arsenal attacks without fuss.
Hector Bellerin: 8.5/10
The Frenchman made himself a valuable option on Arsenal’s right in many of their attacks. Made a perfectly timed run to square the ball to Walcott for Arsenal’s second goal. Also did his defensive duties well, with a crunching tackle on Pedro to stop a goalscoring chance being his highlight of the evening.
Shkodran Mustafi: 8.5/10
Put in a good shift at the centre-half position and looks to be completely home in the Premier League now, unlike his first spell in the country with Everton. Made important tackles to shackle Costa and co. in Chelsea’s attack and was good at sweeping up, recycling possession and giving Arsenal a solid centre to build attacks from.
Laurent Koscielny: 8/10
As Arsenal’s captain and defensive lynchpin, he performed with an efficiency that has made many people wonder if his potential has been held back on account of being an Arsenal player. Looked every bit a world-class centre-half in the way he dealt with Diego Costa and won so many duels against him.
Nacho Monreal: 7.5/10
Continuing in a rich vein of form, the experienced Spaniard put in one of the best attacking displays of his career today. Despite not recording any goals or assists, he acted as an accurate crosser down Arsenal’s left and made full use of the regressing Ivanovic’s inadequacies in covering.
Francis Coquelin: 7/10
While he went off injured after 30 minutes of the first half, the Frenchman proved his mettle in the time before that, using his wonderful positional understanding and steely determination to force a number of turnovers by Chelsea. He was also instrumental in Arsenal’s domination of possession during the game.
Santi Cazorla: 8/10
Had a field day in office as Arsenal dominated proceedings right from the get-go. He recorded the most touches of any Arsenal player today (49) and looked every bit the part as Arsenal gave Chelsea a hiding in midfield.
Alex Iwobi: 8/10
He showed off some great footwork today to keep Ivanovic on his toes down the left, while he also had the sense to come central when the attacking situation demanded it. Found a peach of a through ball for Bellerin to cross to Walcott for the second goal.
Theo Walcott: 8.5/10
The Englishman seems to have taken his national team omission personally, as he put in a display today that should surely force Big Sam to notice him as a viable option. He displayed hitherto unforeseen good judgement in dribbling past players and launching balls into the box, in addition to finishing off a perfect Arsenal move for the second goal. Encouraging signs for the rest of the season ahead.
Mesut Ozil: 8.5/10
Besides Cazorla, Ozil today was the Arsenal player with most touches as he helped Arsenal run the game. Constructed a wonderful goal on the counter attack, building the move with a zippy, fast dribble before finishing off a speculative Sanchez cross emphatically. His understanding of spaces and player movements is unparalleled and was on full display today in a performance that will further his legacy at Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez: 8.5/10
Handsomely repaid Arsene Wenger’s trust in him by forcing the first goal of the game with his irrepressible energy, while also displaying his class in the finish he applied. David Luiz and Gary Cahill remained troubled by his work rate throughout the game, and he was involved in most of Arsenal’s best attacking moments of the game.
Substitutes
Granit Xhaka: 7.5/10
Played for most of the game, and clearly displayed his credentials for the starting role by keeping a calm, composed head and helping to build many attacks with his distribution, attacking work rate and was a complete nuisance for N’Golo Kante to compete against.
Kieran Gibbs – 7/10
Came on in the 69th minute and showed glimpses of his past days as a forward in Arsenal’s academy, with a good touch and instinct for knowing how and when to dribble. Could serve as an interesting option to throw on as a winger when Wenger wishes to try something different.
Olivier Giroud – N/A
Came on too late in the game to affect the game situation in any way. Did not have the best outing he could have hoped for, and one suspects that the combination of Lucas Perez, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck may undermine his starting XI credentials in the long run.