Arsenal and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw in a hard-fought Premier League clash in West London. Here’s how Arsenal’s players performed in the match:
**David Raya** (7.0): The goalkeeper was solid throughout, starting with a key early save that set the tone for his performance. While he couldn’t do much about Chelsea’s goal, Raya managed his distribution well and handled the ball confidently.
**Ben White** (7.0): White defended well against Pedro Neto, who posed a threat but was kept under control by the right-back. Although Neto scored from a central position, White’s defensive work was solid overall.
**William Saliba** (7.0): Saliba was calm and composed, keeping Chelsea’s forwards, including Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer, in check. His steady defending helped keep Arsenal’s defense organized.
**Gabriel Magalhães** (7.0): Gabriel was relentless alongside Saliba in defense, playing a crucial role in neutralizing Chelsea’s attacks and maintaining Arsenal’s defensive structure.
**Jurrien Timber** (7.0): Timber was busy throughout, frequently dealing with the challenge of Noni Madueke. Despite being tested defensively, he contributed to Arsenal’s forward play when possible.
**Martin Ødegaard** (7.5): The playmaker was one of Arsenal’s standout performers, providing the assist for their goal and showing glimpses of his best form with well-timed passes and creativity.
**Thomas Partey** (5.5): Partey struggled to influence the game against Moisés Caicedo’s dominance. While he provided defensive support, he didn’t make the usual impact in possession.
**Declan Rice** (6.5): Rice worked hard in midfield, showing commitment and discipline, but was less effective in creating chances or dominating the game as he normally does.
**Bukayo Saka** (5.5): Saka had a quiet game by his standards, failing to make a significant impact or cause Chelsea much trouble on the right wing.
**Kai Havertz** (7.0): Havertz was active in attack, coming close to scoring with a disallowed goal for offside. He contributed to the team’s offensive play and nearly grabbed a late winner.
**Gabriel Martinelli** (8.0): Martinelli was Arsenal’s standout player, scoring a well-taken goal and being a constant threat in attack. His performance should provide a boost to his confidence.
**Substitutes:**
– **Leandro Trossard** (4.5): Trossard struggled to make an impact, missing two good chances to score what could have been a decisive goal.
– **Mikel Merino** (6.5): Merino had a short but effective cameo, helping to stabilize Arsenal’s midfield.
– **Gabriel Jesus**: Jesus had too little time on the pitch to be rated meaningfully.
In summary, Arsenal’s defense stood firm, with Martinelli providing the bright spark in attack. However, the team couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, with key players like Saka and Partey not at their best on the night.
