Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a scrappy 1-0 win over Chelsea at a soggy Stamford Bridge as they continued to underline their title credentials in some style.
The visitors made the better start, with Chelsea setting up to hit them on the break, a tactic that could have come off early on had Kai Havertz found a Blue shirt with his final pass when well placed.
The Gunners continued to probe the Blues’ defence, with Gabriel Jesus going close on two occasions where he may feel he should have done better. But, despite controlling much of the ball, Mikel Arteta’s side lacked any sign of cutting edge and the final ball was often wayward.
That’s a golden chance for Gabriel Jesus to put Arsenal 1-0 up! 😳 pic.twitter.com/dri0zcKz1r
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 6, 2022
The second half began in the same vein and, after Edouard Mendy kept another effort from Gabriel Jesus out, the resulting corner found its way through three Chelsea defenders for Gabriel to tap home from a yard out.
Chelsea looked out of ideas, and often looked forward to see all options cut off in what was a disciplined performance from Mikel Arteta’s side.
Advantage Arsenal! 🔴
Chelsea fail to deal with the corner and the ball falls to Gabriel who taps home into an empty net ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Sm2iNeRt3x
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 6, 2022
Bukayo Saka could have doubled Arsenal’s lead but could not lift the ball over an onrushing Mendy, while Martin Odegaard shot over from an Arsenal counter-attack as the visitors continued to look the more dangerous side.
It means that Arsenal leapfrog Manchester City to top the table once more, all the while extending their lead over Graham Potter’s side to 13 points.
📰 Table Of Contents
Player ratings
Chelsea
GK: Edouard Mendy – 6
His footwork continues to look shaky but he made some good saves to keep his side in the game.
RB: Cesar Azpilicueta – 5
Clearly targetted by Arsenal as they overloaded his flank, stood strong but the Blues desperately missed Reece James’ attacking verve.
CB: Thiago Silva – 5
Made one brilliant block to stop a Gabriel Jesus effort but it was his mistake, and subsequent missed clearance, that led to the Arsenal opener.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah – 6
The least erratic of the Chelsea backline, the Englishman was solid without particularly catching the eye.
LB: Marc Cucurella – 5
A couple of early fouls suggested he could be in for a tough afternoon against Bukayo Saka, and he almost played his team into trouble on a couple of occasions. Lucky that a clear handball was a fraction outside of the box.
CM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
Tidy on the ball but never really had the forward movement to showcase his passing ability.
CM: Jorginho – 5
Couldn’t get into the game whatsoever and struggled against the Arsenal press.
CM: Mason Mount – 5
Deployed in a deeper role, he couldn’t really have any effect on proceedings, and was withdrawn 12 minutes from time.
RW: Raheem Sterling – 5
Looked like he would be a constant threat on the counter-attack but never really was.
ST: Kai Havertz – 4
Was wasteful with the few chances to break that Chelsea had. Taken off on the hour.
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 4
Had just eight touches all game in a nightmare reunion with Arsenal.
Substitutes:
Armando Broja- 6
Offered more than Chelsea’s other forwards, and was unlucky his pullback from an enterprising run found only a red shirt.
Conor Gallagher – 5
Injected energy but no real quality to the Chelsea side. Picked up a needless yellow card.
Mateo Kovacic – 5
Couldn’t really get into the game against the Arsenal midfield.
Christian Pulisic- 5
Offered nothing upon coming on.
Arsenal
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 6
Didn’t really have a save to make.
RB: Ben White – 7
Continued his strong claim to be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad with another solid outing, and made one vital clearance to keep his side’s clean sheet intact.
CB: William Saliba – 8
Another dominant display by the Frenchman, who hardly put a foot wrong
CB: Gabriel – 8
Similarly impressive and popped up with the opening goal to settle the increasing Arsenal nerves.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
An okay return to the team, though his positioning threatened to catch him out and a couple of weather-related slips gave the Gunners some concern.
CM: Thomas Partey – 8
Another top performance by the Ghanaian, helped no end by the acres of space that Chelsea left him in.
CM: Granit Xhaka – 7
Continues to impress in his more advanced role, the Swiss midfielder
CM: Martin Odegaard – 7
Tidy and played some nice stuff without really threatening the Chelsea goal.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 6
One of his quieter outings and couldn’t really find any end product.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 7
Missed a good chance in each half but was very influential in Arsenal’s attacks once more.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Dangerous against Azpilicueta, especially in the first half, and always looked likely to make something happen without ever actually doing so.
Substitutes:
Kieran Tierney- 6
Came on for Zinchenko and did his job well.
Mohamed Elneny – N/A
On for the final five minutes.
Rob Holding – N/A
Brought on in injury time to see out the game.
Fan Reaction:
Chelsea using a diamond and employing man-marking all over the pitch. Interesting the rotations Arsenal are using on the left-side to upset that. Jesus, Xhaka spending a lot of time wide. By contrast, Chelsea looking to counter there. pic.twitter.com/iLM98Lj1Rq
— Arsenal Column (@ArsenalColumn) November 6, 2022
Havertz, Cucurella and Aubameyang have been woeful for Chelsea today! #cfc
— Terry Flewers (@terryflewers) November 6, 2022
Thomas Partey vs. Chelsea:
90 minutes played
75 touches
52 passes (92.9% accuracy)
6 long balls (100% completion)
2 dribbles (100% completion)
6 ground duels (5 won)
3 clearances
2 interceptions
2 tackles
1 clean sheetUnplayable. 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/kdxSpNmg2i
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) November 6, 2022
Expert Reaction:
Chelsea (0.24) 0-1 (2.38) Arsenal
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 6, 2022
Chelsea could really do with this not being a bad Havertz game. Everything he’s done has been off so far #CFC
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) November 6, 2022
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first half by numbers vs. Arsenal:
4 touches
3 passes completed
2 fouls committed
0/2 ground duels wonCan’t get into the game against his former club. 🫥 pic.twitter.com/r4X1L9Xf00
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 6, 2022
Broja’s first one-versus-one battle with Saliba. Saliba wins. He was similarly dominant against Aubameyang in the first half
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) November 6, 2022
