Arsenal battled their way to a scarcely convincing 1-0 win at home to a Chelsea side which proved to be even more inept in the attacking third on Sunday afternoon.
When Mikel Merino headed the Gunners into a 20th-minute lead, it threatened to pave the way for a one-sided stroll. Arsenal were well worth their lead. Making his first start in six weeks, Gabriel Martinelli offered some much-needed zip and fizz to his side's flagging frontline.
Robert Sanchez's painfully skittish approach to the art of goalkeeper only bolstered the hopes of a buoyant home crowd. Yet, Arsenal couldn't shake the attacking struggles which have plagued the entire season - stretching beyond even Bukayo Saka's injury absence - in one afternoon.
Fortunately for Mikel Arteta's side, Chelsea have their own scoring issues. Enzo Maresca has been forced to forge forward without a recognised striker since Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu both got injured in the same game. Cole Palmer was added to the list of absentees ahead of kick-off, blunting Chelsea's toothless attack even further.
As each side's limp attack intent fizzled out before it could even begin to catch flame, the game meandered to an Arsenal win.
Arsenal player ratings (4-3-3)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: David Raya | 8.2/10 |
RB: Jurrien Timber | 7.7/10 |
CB: William Saliba | 7.2/10 |
CB: Gabriel | 7.2/10 |
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly | 7.1/10 |
CM: Martin Odegaard (c) | 8.0/10 |
CM: Thomas Partey | 7.0/10 |
CM: Declan Rice | 7.2/10 |
RW: Gabriel Martinelli | 7.4/10 |
ST: Mikel Merino | 7.5/10 |
LW: Leandro Trossard | 6.9/10 |
SUB: Ethan Nwaneri (78' for Martinelli) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Kieran Tierney (90' for Odegaard) | N/A |
Subs not used: Neto (GK), Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, Jorginho, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Robert Sanchez | 6.4/10 |
RB: Wesley Fofana | 6.5/10 |
CB: Levi Colwill | 7.0/10 |
CB: Benoit Badiashile | 6.9/10 |
LB: Marc Cucurella | 6.6/10 |
CM: Reece James (c) | 6.5/10 |
CM: Moises Caicedo | 7.1/10 |
AM: Enzo Fernandez | 6.1/10 |
RW: Jadon Sancho | 6.5/10 |
ST: Pedro Neto | 5.7/10 |
LW: Christopher Nkunku | 6.2/10 |
SUB: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (76' for Sancho) | 6.2/10 |
SUB: Tyrique George (76' for Nkunku) | 6.2/10 |
SUB: Romeo Lavia (82' for James) | N/A |
SUB: Malo Gusto (87' for Fofana) | N/A |
SUB: Tosin Adarabioyo (87' for Badiashile) | N/A |
Subs not used: Filip Jorgensen (GK), Marcus Bettinelli (GK), Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah.
Player of the match - Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
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