EPL 2017/18: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal, Player Ratings
Sunday's first fixture saw Chelsea and Arsenal play out a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge. The first half saw a number of opportunities being created, with both sides failing to break the deadlock. Arsenal were unlucky not to get a goal after Aaron Ramsey's effort hit the post, with Alexandre Lacazette skying the following rebound. Meanwhile, Chelsea's best chance came when Pedro was denied by Cech.
The second half was a cagey affair with fewer chances being created. Chelsea were reduced to ten men after David Luiz was sent off for a reckless tackle on Sead Kolasinac. The result saw Chelsea and Arsenal placed third and twelfth respectively. Here are the player ratings from the game:
Chelsea:
Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
Courtois made a couple of crucial saves to deny the likes of Welbeck, Lacazette and Kolasinac from scoring. Overall, the keeper was confident in his handling and came off his line when required.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7/10
The Spaniard had a solid game against Arsenal, making a number of vital interceptions and also helped out in attack. Azpilicueta was composed against Arsenal's attackers and got a deserved clean sheet for his performance.
David Luiz: 5/10
Luiz had a decent outing preventing the likes of Alexandre Lacazette from having a sniff at goal, breaking down numerous attacks from the visitors. The Brazilian was sent off in the second half after a dangerous challenge on Sead Kolasinac.
Gary Cahill: 7/10
Along with Azpilicueta and Luiz, Cahill helped keep things disciplined at the back. The England international made numerous tackles, interceptions, and his strong positional sense helped keep the score level.
Victor Moses: 6.5/10
The Nigerian was equally comfortable while attacking and defending, providing some decent deliveries which were dealt with by Arsenal's defence. Moses helped recover possession on a number of occasions, contributing to Chelsea's defensive shape.
Marcos Alonso: 5.5/10
Alonso was troubled by Bellerin's pace during the first half which resulted in a number of opportunities being created by the hosts. The Spaniard improved defensively as the game progressed.
N'Golo Kante: 7/10
Kante played a vital part in breaking down Arsenal's attack, making some crucial tackles and recovering possession on countless occasions. The Frenchman's positioning helped nullify the opposition from influencing the game in the second half.
Cesc Fabregas: 7.5/10
Fabregas orchestrated a number of attacks from midfield, providing some wonderful through balls. The Spaniard was unlucky to not get an assist as Pedro squandered a one-on-one against Cech in the first half.
Willian: 6/10
The Brazilian worked hard while going forward but was unable to provide the final pass in the opposition half. Willian was replaced by Eden Hazard in the 70th minute.
Pedro: 6/10
Pedro missed a glorious opportunity to give the hosts the lead in the first half as he was denied by Cech in a one-on-one position. The Spaniard was replaced by Bakayoko during the interval.
Alvaro Morata: 4.5/10
Morata could not build on his impressive start to the season and was well marshalled by Mustafi and Koscielny throughout the game. The Spaniard was also booked for dissent in the second half, capping off a torrid afternoon.
Substitutes:
Tiemoue Bakayoko: 6/10
Bakayoko replaced Pedro during the interval to add steel to the midfield. The Frenchman kept things simple at the back and prevented the opposition from over-running Chelsea's midfield.
Eden Hazard: 5/10
Hazard came on for Willian in the 70th minute to help his side grab a late winner. The Belgian showed glimpses of his own self but did not succeed in breaching Arsenal's disciplined defence.
Andreas Christensen: N/A
The young Centre Back came on for Alvaro Morata in the dying moments to see out the game.
Arsenal:
Petr Cech: 7/10
The former Chelsea custodian made a crucial save in the first half to deny Pedro from giving Chelsea the lead. Cech was a commanding presence and came up with the saves when called upon.
Laurent Koscielny: 6/10
Koscielny was caught napping in the first half when he failed to track the run of Pedro who couldn't punish the defender's error. Other than that, the Frenchman kept things tight at the back along with Mustafi and Monreal.
Shkodran Mustafi: 8.5/10
Mustafi was Arsenal's best defender keeping the likes of Alvaro Morata quiet throughout the game. The German marshalled Arsenal's defence, making a number of interceptions, tackles. Unlucky not to get the winner in the second half as he was caught offside.
Nacho Monreal: 7/10
Monreal played an important role in shutting down Chelsea's attack with a resolute display. Along with Mustafi and Koscielny, Monreal helped close down space which made it difficult for the opposition to break down Arsenal's defence.
Hector Bellerin: 7/10
Bellerin used his pace to great effect in the first half and troubled Marcos Alonso on a number of occasions. The Spaniard was equally proficient while defending and made a number of interceptions to prevent the likes of Willian and Pedro from causing damage.
Sead Kolanisac: 7/10
The Bosnian used his physicality and positioning sense to great effect to prevent the likes of Willian and Moses from influencing the game. Kolasinac could have given the Gunners the lead in the first half, seeing his shot smartly saved by Courtois.
Granit Xhaka: 6/10
Xhaka made a shaky start to the game giving away possession cheaply on certain occasions. As the game progressed, the Swiss international improved his passing and linked up well with his team's wingers. Was unlucky to not get an assist as Mustafi goal was ruled out for offside.
Aaron Ramsey: 8/10
It was a fine display from Ramsey who made some direct runs from midfield, linking up well with Iwobi and Bellerin. The Welshman glided past Chelsea's defenders in the first half before seeing his shot hit the post. Overall, Ramsey played well.
Alex Iwobi: 6.5/10
Iwobi worked hard throughout the game and linked up with Ramsey to trouble Alonso in the first half. The Nigerian performed all the simple tasks to perfection and proved to be an able replacement for Ozil in this game.
Danny Welbeck: 7/10
Welbeck made a number of intelligent runs behind Chelsea's defence which helped create some space for his side to exploit. The former Manchester United player should have scored in the first half but his header from Bellerin's cross went wide.
Alexandre Lacazette: 5.5/10
Lacazette had some great chances to score. The Frenchman missed from close range as he blasted the ball over the bar after Ramsey's shot hit the post. Lacazette was replaced by Alexis in the 66th minute.
Substitutes:
Alexis Sanchez: 5/10
Came on for Lacazette in the second half. Worked hard when he came on and was stopped by Christensen from having a sniff at goal.
Olivier Giroud: 5/10
Giroud replaced Welbeck in the 73rd minute to pose an aerial threat. Did not make much of an impression as he wasn't fed with proper deliveries.
Mohamed Elneny: 4/10
The Egyptian replaced Iwobi ten minutes from time. Elneny gave away some cheap freekicks and got booked in the 84th minute for a foul on Hazard.