Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Granit Xhaka scores as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners lose 2-1 in Mind Series match on Sunday. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal faced the blues of Chelsea in the opening fixture of the inaugural Mind series, as fans finally returned to the Emirates stadium. Though these matches are technically “friendlies,” Sunday’s encounter was anything but, with a number of rash and chippy challenges interrupting proceedings.
Arsenal dominated the early minutes, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Thomas Partey both making their marks on the game, but as the Gabonese faded and the Ghanaian went off injured yet again, Chelsea clawed their way back into the game.
The Blues opened their 2021 account with a brilliant Kai Havertz finish, caused by a lapse in concentration from multiple Arsenal defenders that left the German one-on-one with Bernd Leno, who made himself big but couldn’t do much else to stop it.
Granit Xhaka got one back with a lovely header off a corner, having placed one over the bar minutes previously, but it was soon cancelled out as Hector Bellerin gift-wrapped a goal for Tammy Abraham.
Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Granit Xhaka scores as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners lose 2-1 in Mind Series match on Sunday
Joe Willock equalized with a thundering strike, but the ball, which came off the crossbar, flashed over the goal line and back out of the net, too fast for the hapless linesman to declare the shot a goal, and 2-1 it remained, despite Arsenal scoring. I’m not one to ever pin a game on the referees, but Andre Mariner was not in his finest form, and the linesmen had a rather poor outing as well.
In the end, a game of decent quality from both sides, and one that felt more competitive than initially expected. Not the greatest result, but if Arsenal continue to attack and press as they did today, we could be in for an excellent season.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney crosses the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Sadium in north London. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
GK: Bernd Leno – 7.0
Nothing he could do for the Havertz goal, and should be having words with his defenders about how Chelsea’s best attackers got gift-wrapped a 2-on-1. Looked confident in the air and made a few lovely saves. Made a few passing mistakes but wasn’t punished for it.
RB: Calum Chambers – 6.0
In terms of a true fullback, Chambers is not it, but in his special inverted role he does tend to flatter. He was physical and technically as good as we’ve seen him. Crucially a bit slow at times, but a solid outing.
CB: Rob Holding – 4.5
He was a little sloppy in defense, grappling opponents rather than containing, but frustrated the daylights out of Hakim Ziyech. Caught way too far up the pitch for Chelsea’s opening goal, and then again five minutes later. Not his best haircut and not his best showing. Deservedly replaced by Ben White.
CB: Pablo Marí – 7.0
He looks to have gained a step. Visibly vocal, directing the team around. Made a number of key blocks and tackles, and was tidy in possession. Was also the only player back on a number of breakaways, and defended well in most of those.
LB: Kieran Tierney – 7.5
KT at his KT best. Chelsea preferred to attack down the Arsenal right, but on the few occasions they ventured over to the other side of the pitch, it didn’t work out for them. Played more like a left-winger at times.
August 1, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Granit Xhaka scores as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners lose 2-1 in Mind Series match on Sunday</h2>
<p>Joe Willock equalized with a thundering strike, but the ball, which came off the crossbar, flashed over the goal line and back out of the net, too fast for the hapless linesman to declare the shot a goal, and 2-1 it remained, despite Arsenal scoring. I’m not one to ever pin a game on the referees, but Andre Mariner was not in his finest form, and the linesmen had a rather poor outing as well.</p>
<p>In the end, a game of decent quality from both sides, and one that felt more competitive than initially expected. Not the greatest result, but if Arsenal continue to attack and press as they did today, we could be in for an excellent season.</p>
<h2>Goalkeeper and Defenders</h2>
<div id="attachment_117733" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-117733 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/08/01/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-chelsea-3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1234380163.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Kieran Tierney" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380163.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380163-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney crosses the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Sadium in north London. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h5>GK: Bernd Leno – 7.0</h5>
<p>Nothing he could do for the Havertz goal, and should be having words with his defenders about how Chelsea’s best attackers got gift-wrapped a 2-on-1. Looked confident in the air and made a few lovely saves. Made a few passing mistakes but wasn’t punished for it.</p>
<h5>RB: Calum Chambers – 6.0</h5>
<p>In terms of a true fullback, Chambers is not it, but in his special inverted role he does tend to flatter. He was physical and technically as good as we’ve seen him. Crucially a bit slow at times, but a solid outing.</p>
<h5>CB: Rob Holding – 4.5</h5>
<p>He was a little sloppy in defense, grappling opponents rather than containing, but frustrated the daylights out of Hakim Ziyech. Caught way too far up the pitch for Chelsea’s opening goal, and then again five minutes later. Not his best haircut and not his best showing. Deservedly replaced by Ben White.</p>
<h5>CB: Pablo Marí – 7.0</h5>
<p>He looks to have gained a step. Visibly vocal, directing the team around. Made a number of key blocks and tackles, and was tidy in possession. Was also the only player back on a number of breakaways, and defended well in most of those.</p>
<h5>LB: Kieran Tierney – 7.5</h5>
<p>KT at his KT best. Chelsea preferred to attack down the Arsenal right, but on the few occasions they ventured over to the other side of the pitch, it didn’t work out for them. Played more like a left-winger at times.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/08/01/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-chelsea-3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_117735" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-117735 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/08/01/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-chelsea-3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1234380067.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Thomas Partey" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380067.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380067-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey receives treatment for an injury during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Midfielders</h2>
<h5>DM: Thomas Partey – 8.0</h5>
<p>Involved in the midfield throughout. Tackled and intercepted brilliantly, and picked out a number of lovely passes. What a player we have in Thomas Partey. And then, of course, he came off injured, with a turned ankle off a nasty Ruben Loftus-Cheek challenge. Hopefully it isn’t serious, but we might have to start wrapping him in bubble wrap.</p>
<h5>DM: Mohamed Elneny – 5.5</h5>
<p>A classic Mo Elneny performance. Sloppy on the ball, and had some revolutionary thoughts about progressing the ball before deciding against it, but he defended quite well, and anchored Thomas Partey. Played CB more than Rob Holding did.</p>
<h5>AM: Emile Smith Rowe – 6.5</h5>
<p>Drew good positions and picked up little pockets of space as is his wont, and generally caused problems for the Chelsea midfield. Almost played as a second striker at times. Unlucky to hit the post with a brilliant left-footed strike. Bright, as he always is, but didn’t get the ball at his feet enough.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/08/01/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-chelsea-3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Forwards </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_117734" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-117734 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/08/01/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-chelsea-3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1234380995.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380995.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380995-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Pre Season Friendly between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 1, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Forwards</h2>
<h5>RW: Nicolas Pepe – 6.0</h5>
<p>A little anonymous creatively. Received much of Arsenal’s ball progression, but didn’t threaten as often as he should have done. However, the intangibles of his game were beyond brilliant. He pressed high, ran hard, and his attitude looked fierce.</p>
<h5>ST: Alexandre Lacazette – 4.5</h5>
<p>Dropped deeper with mixed results. He defended well, and was good in possession, but didn’t show in the box quite enough for my liking. Should have done better on a number of occasions.</p>
<h5>LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5.5</h5>
<p>He really does love to play against Chelsea doesn’t he. Auba showed his age slightly last season, but he played like he was five years younger, especially in the first half. His end-product in the box, though, was rather woeful, and Chelsea locked him down as the game went on. Decent at right wing as well, but had to score off a Nuno Tavares cross late on, so his rating is docked slightly.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/08/01/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-chelsea-3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Substitutes </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-117732" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/08/01/arsenal-player-ratings-vs-chelsea-3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1234380834.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380834.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1234380834-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal’s English defender Ben White during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Substitutes</h2>
<h5>SUB: Granit Xhaka – 8.0</h5>
<p><strong>Man of the Match</strong>. Came on for Partey and looked to make an instant impact with a brilliant ball for Aubameyang. Quite a good showing, and good to hear the Arsenal fans at the Emirates greet him positively. With contract news still up in the air, good appearances are a necessity, and Xhaka’s starting the season as he means to continue. Excellent header for the goal as well.</p>
<h5>SUB: Ben White – 7.0</h5>
<p>Got a warm welcome during his warmup, and a rousing cheer upon entering the field for the second half, and made up his entire fee in a single moment with an excellent goal-line block from a rather foolish Hakim Ziyech breakaway. With another goal-line clearance to his name and a number of excellent defensive contributions, Ben White looks worth it.</p>
<h5>SUB: Hector Bellerin – 2.0</h5>
<p>Awful, awful errant pass to slip in Tammy Abraham, just after coming on the pitch. Sloppy play generally. Needs to go.</p>
<h5>SUB: Nuno Tavares – 6.0</h5>
<p>Looked good going forwards, and was unlucky to recieve a yellow card for a relatively run-of-the-mill challenge. Defended well too.</p>
<h5>SUB: Albert Sambi Lokonga – 5.5</h5>
<p>Solid alongside Granit Xhaka. Not quite up to Premier League standard but a very good cameo. I’d like to see him start against Spurs, and possibly Brentford as well.</p>
<h5>SUB: Joe Willock – 7.0</h5>
<p>Scored a goal that didn’t get counted because goal-line technology wasn’t enabled, and the linesman wasn’t paying enough attention at the time. Looked exceedingly bright.</p>
<h5>SUB: Sead Kolasinac – 4.0</h5>
<p>Very shaky as a left-sided centre-back, leaving Ben White a lot to do on a number of occasions. Decent passing performance once the game opened up completely.</p>
<h5>SUB: Eddie Nketiah – 7.0</h5>
<p>Borderline Man of the Match, despite limited minutes. Looked very bright, as he has the whole of preseason. In very good form at the moment.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
