Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea as Viktor Gyokeres stars with five other big scorers

Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players in their clash with Chelsea

Arsenal secured an important first leg victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. After the disappointment at Stamford Bridge in the league, Mikel Arteta’s side certainly avenged the result.

The visitors took the lead inside the opening seven minutes after a Declan Rice corner once again found a teammate, this time Ben White. Viktor Gyokeres would score after the break, following a Robert Sanchez error.

However, Alejandro Garnacho was there at the back post to smash in and claw Chelsea back into the tie. The lead was shorted for just 14 minutes as Martin Zubimendi curled in a wonderful left-footed effort.

Chelsea wouldn’t let things lie as Garnacho scored once again at the back post following a corner.

Here is how fooball.london rated the performance:

Kepa Arrizabalaga – The Spaniard was forced into a couple of comfortable saves inside the first 30, the most dangerous from Estevao, which was parried round the post; he then dealt well with the resulting header from the corner. However for the first Chelsea goal he was beaten at his near post, and then lost the battle at the corner for the second. 6

Ben White – Hardly started this season, and the right-back opened the scoring from a corner kick from Declan Rice. It was his pass that forced the error off Sanchez for the Gunners’ second of the evening. 8

William Saliba – Excellent pass to find Zubimendi on the counterattack for the early Gyokeres chance. Stayed strong throughout and was so composed. 8

Gabriel Magalhaes – Strong at the back as always and had to be with the onslaught in the second half from Chelsea. Came close to a goal for himself with a header at the back post. 8

Jurrien Timber – Brilliant challenge to win the corner which led to the opening goal. Playing in the unorthodox left-back role, he often joined midfield but Chelsea did get plenty of fortune down that side of the Gunners’ back line. 7

Martin Zubimendi – After a nice pass across to Gyokeres, the Spaniard saw a volleyed effort fly over the bar. He would make no mistake, however, when handed a great chance on his left-foot, the feint and then the strike to give the Gunners their third. 9

Declan Rice – Another perfect corner from the midfielder, finding the head of White. The press and legs again were never-ending and he harried the midfield all game, so impressive. 8

Martin Odegaard – Was somewhat disappointing in the first half, and wasn’t too in the game. Despite pressing well, there were gaps appearing in the middle. A few moments in the second but overall another quiet game in a big match. 5

Bukayo Saka – Marc Cucurella got booked courtesy of a Saka run, and the question became, would he then test the Spaniard? Immediately, he had the beating of the full-back and found White in the build-up for Gyokeres’ goal; then found Merino in the play for the third, too. 8

Viktor Gyokeres – Had a chance in the first half on his left foot, spinning round and seeing his shot deflected wide. Started the second half perfectly, sliding in to pounce on Robert Sanchez’s error to smash in.

He would gladly take his goal courtesy of a Sanchez howler. Then did really well to spot Zubimendi for the third goal. 9

Leandro Trossard – Lovely weaving run through the Chelsea defence in the first half that could have ended in a big chance, but a block was made. Some bright moments but couldn’t make the Blues pay. 6

Substitutes:

Gabriel Martinelli – Had a strike from outside the box after some good movement blocked. 6

Mikel Merino – Straight into the action from the bench, finding Gyokeres in the build-up for the third goal. Thought he’d scored only to be denied by the toes of Sanchez from a volley. 7

Gabriel Jesus – Came on late in the game. n/a

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