Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal settled the London derby as Arsenal returned to the top after a solid performance against Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta remained unbeaten at Stamford Bridge, and Arsenal returned to the top of the table courtesy of a big win over Chelsea. Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal midway through the second half settled the game in the Gunners’ favour as the away side put in a dominating display.
Chelsea got outplayed, outfoxed and outmuscled in every aspect of the game and forced to feed on scraps. After a bright start from the visitors and creating only a few chances, Arsenal did look the sharpest of the lot.
😄 That winning feeling pic.twitter.com/0OOWy95oEZ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 6, 2022
Gabriel Jesus, who was immense in every aspect of the game, squandered a brilliant opportunity from a Gabriel Martinelli cross. Had the Brazilian scored that chance, it would have been a brilliant team goal after some sharp play at the back from Arsenal.
Chelsea had one good opportunity as Kai Havertz found space inside the box. The German’s decision-making let him down as a good chance went begging. Beyond that, Graham Potter’s men found it tough to get past the Arsenal defence, led by the man of the match William Saliba.
As the second half began, Arsenal looked slightly sloppy in the opening period but soon regained their composure. After that, the Gunners were utterly dominant in every aspect, and it was a matter of time before they scored.
Bukayo Saka’s wicked corner went past many players and might have gone in before Gabriel got a touch on the line. It’s wont matter who scored that goal, as it marked a critical stage in the game. Martin Odegaard then had a brilliant chance to double the lead, as did Saka.
Arsenal went about dominating and shutting down the Chelsea side. The home team never looked likely to threaten Aaron Ramsdale’s goal at any point in the game. In the end, the Gunners took all three points and headed back to the summit. As for Chelsea, they slipped to seventh on the table and five points off Champions League spots.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy – 6/10
Mendy looked nervous at times and struggled to contain Arsenal’s pressures. He had a decent game, while some of his decision-making was spot on. He should have done better for the Gunners’ goal, but the ball movement caused plenty of confusion.
Cesar Azpilicuetta – 7/10
Azpilicueta matched Martinelli at every step and somewhat contained the threat of the Brazilian. While he had a few forays in the final third, the experienced star should have done better with his deliveries.
Graham's thoughts on #CheArs.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 6, 2022
Trevoh Chalobah – 6/10
Chalobah looked alert for most parts, despite Jesus putting him to the test several times during the game. He also helped Azpilicueta many times by doubling down on Martinelli. Like every other Chelsea player, there was disappointment at how they eventually conceded the goal, as he should have done better.
Thiago Silva – 7/10
Silva had a good game and stood firm in making many challenges around his box. He did a decent job of containing the threat of Jesus. For the goal, he was the most guilty of the lot, as he miscalculated the corner from Saka.
Marc Cucuella – 5/10
Cucurella continued with his timid performances for Chelsea. Saka’s gameplay on his flank frustrated him very much. There were tensions between the defender and attacker, but the Arsenal star got the better of the duels.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 5.5/10
He never got into the game to contribute to the cause. Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka thoroughly outclassed Loftus-Cheek. The Chelsea star never got anything relevant from the game.
Jorginho – 6/10
He was one of the better players for Chelsea, as he looked to make line-breaking passes forward. Yet, Partey and Xhaka got the better of him, as Arsenal controlled the Italian’s game to slow down the opposition’s tempo.
🇮🇹 Jorginho made more successful ball recoveries (7) than any other Chelsea player inside the first 45 minutes against Arsenal.
Needs help. #CFC #Chelsea #CheArs pic.twitter.com/mfcWAryS6I
— Mozo Football (@MozoFootball) November 6, 2022
Raheem Sterling – 6/10
There were a few good moments for Sterling. However, the winger struggled for most parts with another disappointing performance for Chelsea. He hardly troubled the Arsenal defence, with Oleksandr Zinchenko finding ways to contain the England international.
Kai Havertz – 4/10
Havertz never got into the game, and one time when he had a great chance to put the ball in the right area, he squandered. Arsenal took care of the German easily, barely threatening Ramsdale’s goal.
Mason Mount – 4/10
An anonymous performance from Mount, as Arsenal’s defence, contained his threat and made it obsolete. He should do better in big games like these to get the relevance of a top player.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only had eight touches before being taken off against Arsenal 😬 pic.twitter.com/lz4CLZBh3m
— GOAL (@goal) November 6, 2022
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 4/10
A disappointing performance from Aubameyang despite all the pre-game build-up around his history with Arsenal. He was barely involved in the game but made clever runs inside the box.
Substitutes
Mateo Kovacic – 5/10
Potter wanted to change things in midfield to assert better control. Kovacic, from the bench, could barely turn the tide as Chelsea looked hapless.
Armando Broja – 5/10
Broja could never influence proceedings since replacing Aubameyang.
Conor Gallagher – 6/10
Gallagher was bright since coming on, but considering how the team played, he could not help change the game’s outcome.
Christian Pulisic – 4/10
Potter looked for a difference maker in the final third, and Pulisic was not the right option.
✅ 0-1
✅ 2-4
✅ 0-1Mikel Arteta on winning three times at Stamford Bridge in a row for the first time since 1949-1951.👏 pic.twitter.com/BNniVpiC02
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 6, 2022
Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale – 6/10
Ramsdale was anonymous in this game, which is a better thing to say about a goalkeeper. The Arsenal man faced a solitary shot on target and, beyond that, had barely anything to do, not even punch crosses or collect hopeful balls.
Ben White – 7.5/10
Ben White dominated the right side and controlled Mount every inch. He is becoming a household name on the flank and continues with solid displays that helped Arsenal shut Chelsea off at the back.
William Saliba – 9/10
A man of the match display from Saliba, who is growing into a big-game player for Arsenal. Chelsea attackers never found joy looking to beat the Frenchman, who had a near-flawless afternoon.
William Saliba's game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
72 touches
13x possession won
3 clearances
3 duels won
3 interceptions
2 tackles
2 touches in opp. box
2 accurate long balls
1 block
0x dribbled pastMOTM. 👏 pic.twitter.com/8zQeY2Cowj
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 6, 2022
Gabriel Magalhaes – 8/10
While Saliba took all the plaudits for the defensive work, Gabriel, despite being a solid presence at the back, proved his worth with a critical contribution. The Brazilian got the game’s only goal. He was alert to poke the ball inside the net, but it might have gone through anyway from the Saka corner.
Oleksandr Zincheko – 6.6/10
A welcome return to the team, as Zinchenko’s presence, allowed Arsenal more control of the ball and in the build-up. It was a promising performance after a long layoff, as he offsets the injury suffered by Tomiyasu.
Thomas Partey – 9/10
A colossal performance from Partey, who is Arsenal’s midfield lynchpin. The Ghanaian dominated the area and barely allowed any control in the hands of Chelsea’s stars in the position. It is a magnificent display that allows the Gunners to play on the front foot rather than worry about defending balls or winning possession because he does it all.
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
Granit Xhaka – 7/10
Another bright display from Xhaka, who sat a bit deeper in the game and participated more in midfield activities. Yet, he was also present in the attacking third and had a good chance in the first half, which went wide.
Martin Odegaard – 6/10
Odegaard had a glorious chance to double Arsenal’s lead and should have done better. While he was not at his fluid best in the final third, the Norwegian still proved vital to how the team moved the ball and rotated possession.
Bukayo Saka – 7/10
Saka found joy on the right flank but could not affect proceedings as he usually does. Yet, he came up with a decisive set piece from the corner, which may have gone directly in. However, he will not care for Gabriel’s late touch to claim the goal, as he would be happy with another assist.
Gabriel Jesus – 8.5/10
Jesus ran the show on the Arsenal front. He battled his way through, and one look at his touch map shows how influential and involved he is in games like these. Should have scored the opener in the first half but was inches short of meeting Martinelli’s cross.
PASSION… 💪🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/bPOoaquRMl
— Gabriel Jesus (@gabrieljesus9) November 6, 2022
Gabriel Martinelli – 5.5/10
The overall performance of all Arsenal players shows they can get a result on days when Martinelli or Saka aren’t firing. Yet, the Brazilian was a thorn for Chelsea defenders, but Azpilicueta performed better against him.
Substitutes
Kieran Tierney – 6/10
Tierney replaced Zinchenko and continued the level of control on that side of the pitch.
Mohamed Elneny – 5.5/10
With ten minutes left to play, Arteta sent Elneny to provide more security in the middle. The midfielder often played more advanced than usual as Chelsea barely threatened or pressurised Arsenal at the back.
Rob Holding – N/A
Holding came on to secure the backline with barely anytime left on the clock.
