Nketiah Runs Rampant as Arsenal Batter Blues

After a 3 week bye – yes, a 3 week bye – Arsenal started off a very difficult run of games away at Stamford Bridge. In the space of just over 3 weeks, Arsenal have to play Chelsea (A), Manchester United (H), West Ham (A), Leeds (H) and Spurs (A).

What a way to start off – the Arsenal battered Chelsea both in the stands and on the pitch. Despite losing the lead twice and being level at half time, Arsenal’s academy products came through for the Gunners, combining for 4 goals to beat Tuchel’s Chelsea 4-2.

Mikel Arteta – 8

Arteta has had a lot of trouble trying to sort out a way to get the starting line-up back on track. Today, it seemed as if Arteta had finally found the solution: the same 4-3-3, White at RB and Holding at CB, Elneny at CM, Smith-Rowe at LM and Nketiah up top. The tactics were brilliant as well – there was a good mix of defensive solidarity whilst also equipping the team with the ability to counter-attack and hold possession.

The decision to defend the 3-2 lead in the 75th minute was a gutsy one, but it showed that the Spaniard believes in his team and trusts them to close out the game.

Aaron Ramsdale – 5.5

Ramsdale has dropped off recently. Although he set the standards for himself incredibly high with his purple patch of form, in the last few games he hasn’t made an awful lot of saves. For the second goal, he couldn’t really do anything to stop Azpilicueta’s shot, however for the first, he did seem slow to react to the deflection. All in all though, he did enough to secure the win and that is all you can ask for.

Nuno Tavares – 7.5

The only problem with Tavares’ performance was that he let Cesar Azpilicueta get across him and tap home Chelsea’s second goal. Other than that, I liked what I saw. He played Tierney’s role well, getting forward and assisting Smith-Rowe on the left-hand side. He got back behind the ball every time we lost possession and even pressed high enough to cut off Azpilicueta’s pass to start the attack for Arsenal’s third goal. His work ethic was brilliant. I was surprised that Tuchel didn’t play Reece James at RWB to attack Tavares, but the Portuguese took full advantage of it.

Gabriel – 8

Gabriel is another defender that is regaining his form. The only critique I’d have of his game is that he didn’t seem interested at all in clearing Mason Mount’s cross that lead to Azpilicueta’s goal. Other than that, he came up big to block a shot from around 6 yards out after Ramsdale parried the ball into the middle. He was also solid both in the air and on the ground and kept possession well.

Rob Holding – 8

As much as I love to see Holdinho get subbed on in the 70th minute, holding up the 5-4-1 formation with his fingers and knowing that the game is over, we had to put up with Holding in the Starting XI. Chelsea had trouble putting up with Holding in the Starting XI as well, as the Englishman did his part in holding off the Chelsea attack, especially when the ball was crossed in.

Ben White – 7.5

Ben White was put back out at RB and it seemed as if he never left. He was efficient in possession, solid at the back and won many duels. Although he did lose the ball in the lead up to Chelsea’s second goal, he played his role as well as we could have asked him too. I’d be confident with this defence lining up against United.

Granit Xhaka – 8

Xhaka was back in the midfield today and he showed Mikel Arteta why he shouldn’t leave again. He played very well, breaking up Chelsea’s play and starting Arsenal’s attack simultaneously. That nutmeg on Marcos Alonso before setting up Smith-Rowe’s goal – filthy.

Mohammed Elneny – 8.5

The last game that Mohammed Elneny started in the Premier League in an Arsenal shirt was against Manchester United on the 3rd of December. He was absolutely phenomenal today. Absolutely phenomenal. He controlled the ball in the midfield, barely seemed to lose the ball and broke up the Chelsea play multiple times. He filled the gap that Partey left brilliantly and has surely cemented his spot in the line up against United. If Nketiah didn’t have the blinder that he had, Elneny would easily have been the man of the match.

Martin Odegaard – 8

Odegaard was his typical self. When he had the ball, he protected it well and also seemed to be able to pick out the right pass, providing Arsenal with their only assist of the match. The only thing I’d like to see is him getting on the ball more – at times, it seems as if he ghosts a little. However, when he has it, he is deadly, and that’s exactly what we need him to be.

Emile Smith-Rowe – 8.5

I was surprised to see Smith-Rowe’s name on the team sheet instead of Gabriel Martinelli’s, but the Smith showed why it was that way. He showed his great work ethic by bolting forwards and backwards whenever there was a change in possession. His first touch finish, calmly guiding the ball into the bottom right corner from outside the box was a testament to his finishing capabilities. Smith-Rowe has definitely given Arteta something to think about in terms of who to start at LM against United.

Bukayo Saka – 8.5

Bukayo Saka was electrifying. He absolutely tore Marcos Alonso to shreds and was the main source of many of the Arsenal attacks. He set up Nketiah in the box, acted as an outlet for his teammates multiple times, including for the second goal. Then of course, he worked his way into a spot kick (I don’t know how VAR didn’t see that he pinned Azpilicueta’s arm against him), but he used his football IQ to get to that position and took advantage with a classy penalty.

Eddie Nketiah – 9.5

If ever someone needed to see the definition of a ‘difference maker’, you can show them that Nketiah performance and they will fully understand. He was everywhere – I never realised he had such an insane work rate. He was picking up the ball on the left, on the right, down the middle, in the midfield, in behind – it was absolutely amazing to watch. It came off too, hunting down a weak back pass from Christensen before slotting it past Edouard Mendy. He showed how he was a fox in the box too, pouncing on the pinball in the Chelsea box and tapping it past Mendy for a second. Quite frankly, Lacazette doesn’t score those goals. There is no doubt in my mind that Nketiah should be starting against United, against West Ham, against Leeds, against Spurs and against anyone – given he plays like he did, of course. He equalled Lacazette’s open goal tally for this season (32 games) in 70 minutes. Ratio’d.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Gabriel Martinelli – 7

He was put on for fresh legs and did what he was asked to do. He chased down the lose balls, got forward in attack and led the team defensively.

Cedric Soares – 7

Cedric came on as a RWB and was absolutely brilliant. The only thing, however, was that he showed why he was a RB and not a RW, putting a couple very good chances to waste.

Alexandre Lacazette – 6

He wasn’t on long enough to make an impact.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Eddie Nketiah – 9.5

He was cut from a different cloth.