Arsenal have started the season well, to say the least.
Their only loss in the league has come at the hands of Manchester United, with their only draw against Southampton. They have strung together not just points but eye-catching performances to merit those points. Yet one place they had yet to prove themselves was at a tough away ground.
The London club faltered at Old Trafford and Southampton and barely nicked a win against Leeds. Against Chelsea, however, Arsenal dominated from the first minute until the last. The attacking prowess was on full display as the Gunners carved open Chelsea time and time again.
3 standout players from dominant win away at Chelsea
Very rarely has such a controlling display away from home been seen. Three players, in particular, were crucial to Arsenal walking away from a quieted Stamford Bridge with three points which restored their place at the top of the table.
3. Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus relished the duel with compatriot Thiago Silva. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Questions have been raised in recent weeks regarding Gabriel Jesus’ form. The new signing has not scored since the win against Sp*rs on 1 October. However, despite his lack of goals, Jesus’ form should never have been doubted. The Brazilian’s influence on games extends far beyond his mere goalscoring prowess While his mini-drought continues, against Chelsea, he showed exactly how well-rounded his game is.
Leading the press from the front, the Brazilian harassed and harried the Chelsea backline, setting the tone from the off. He did not give them a second to breathe as he forced them into multiple errors. The fluidity he has brought into the attacking setup was also on display. He interchanged frequently with Gabriel Martinelli, drifting wide before bursting back into the box to add an unpredictable element which will again bear fruit sooner rather than later.
Jesus’ ability to win fouls was instrumental in maintaining pressure from goal kicks and offside calls. His close control and body positioning allow him to always have the upper hand, forcing the opposition to foul him or let him turn and run at them. Chelsea’s physical and often clumsy approach saw them carry out the latter, letting Arsenal camp themselves in the opposition’s half for most of the game.
While he will be disappointed with the headed chance he missed, Arsenal would have been hard-pressed to get the result without him. Hopefully, he can get an all-important, confidence-boosting goal against Wolves this weekend.
Continued on the next slide…
has not scored since the win against Sp*rs on 1 October</a>. However, despite his lack of goals, Jesus’ form should never have been doubted. The Brazilian’s influence on games extends far beyond his mere goalscoring prowess While his mini-drought continues, against Chelsea, he showed exactly how well-rounded his game is.</p>
<p>Leading the press from the front, the Brazilian harassed and harried the Chelsea backline, setting the tone from the off. He did not give them a second to breathe as he forced them into multiple errors. The fluidity he has brought into the attacking setup was also on display. He interchanged frequently with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/11/08/3-standout-players-from-dominant-win-away-at-chelsea/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/11/08/gabriel-martinelli-fully-deserving-brazil-spot-world-cup/">Gabriel Martinelli</a>, drifting wide before bursting back into the box to add an unpredictable element which will again bear fruit sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Jesus’ ability to win fouls was instrumental in maintaining pressure from goal kicks and offside calls. His close control and body positioning allow him to always have the upper hand, forcing the opposition to foul him or let him turn and run at them. Chelsea’s physical and often clumsy approach saw them carry out the latter, letting Arsenal camp themselves in the opposition’s half for most of the game.</p>
<p>While he will be disappointed with the headed chance he missed, Arsenal would have been hard-pressed to get the result without him. Hopefully, he can get an all-important, confidence-boosting goal against Wolves this weekend.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></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/2022/11/08/3-standout-players-from-dominant-win-away-at-chelsea/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. William Saliba</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-130729 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/11/08/3-standout-players-from-dominant-win-away-at-chelsea/"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%2F1439480059.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1439480059.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1439480059-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">William Saliba didn’t give Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang an inch. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Coming into the season, William Saliba’s future was in doubt. Multiple loan spells and a potential falling out with the manager made his departure seem more likely than not. On the field, he would be facing a tough backline to break into, with both Ben White and Gabriel impressive last season. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury gave him a glimpse of an opportunity and he has since seized it with both hands.</p>
<p>Arsenal press high and stay compact, meaning the back four must be positioned on the halfway line. One minor mistake and attackers are through on goal with only Aaron Ramsdale to beat. Few defenders feel comfortable when given acres of space behind them to defend; Saliba is one of the few who does. Impeccably positioned, aerially dominant and possessing brilliant anticipation of danger, <a title="Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners win three in a row at the Bridge" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/11/08/3-standout-players-from-dominant-win-away-at-chelsea/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/11/06/chelsea-0-1-arsenal-player-ratings/" rel="">the Frenchman ensured that the Chelsea attackers would not get even a sniff at goal.</a></p>
<p>He is as assured out of possession as he is with it, covering the channels quickly before emerging with the ball and moving it quickly. His speed of thought in shifting the ball allows Arsenal to sustain pressure. Chelsea never looked settled and much of that was due to both his defensive and offensive acumen. And who can forget that marauding run down the right, almost Ronaldinho-esque in its grace.</p>
<p>Given his impressive performances this season, Saliba <em>must</em> be tied down to a new contract as soon as possible. He could anchor this defence for a decade or more. Already looking like a world-class talent, his potential to improve even further is astounding indeed.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></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/2022/11/08/3-standout-players-from-dominant-win-away-at-chelsea/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>1. Thomas Partey</h2>
<div id="attachment_130776" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-130776" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/11/08/3-standout-players-from-dominant-win-away-at-chelsea/"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%2F2017%2F07%2F1244580437.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1244580437.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1244580437-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Thomas Partey dictated proceedings in midfield. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>It would not be an exaggeration to say Thomas Partey is <em>the </em>best number 6 or central defensive midfielder in the Premier League and perhaps even the world. Such has been the Ghanaian’s impact.</p>
<p>Gone are the days of Dani Ceballos x Granit Xhaka double pivot. He has instead installed Partey as a lone 6. He must both break up opposing attacks as well as pass forward with incision. Partey’s form has allowed Arsenal’s attack to thrive since the foundation behind them is solid. Against Chelsea, the midfielder’s best was seen.</p>
<p>His mobility and athleticism were on full display as he disrupted the rare and futile possession the Blues had. He covered gaps when Arsenal lost the ball, slotting into the backline as needed. On the ball, he was simply superb.</p>
<p>Partey received the ball under pressure time and time again, before turning gracefully away from the likes of Ruben Loftus Cheek, Jorginho, and Mason Mount, who could not get close enough to touch him on the day. Evading challenges easily, he progressed play well. His experience is clear to see, understanding how to control the pace of a game. He picked his moments to slide in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli while pushing it out to Ben White or Oleksandr Zinchenko at other times to maintain control.</p>
<p>Talent has never been an issue with Partey. Rather it has been fitness concerns that have seen him sidelined for longer than he and Arteta would like. With Mohamed Elneny returning sooner than expected and the January transfer window on the horizon, Arsenal should be able to find ways to rotate the star midfielder and keep him fit. If he can stay injury-free for the next few months, Arsenal will have a very successful season.</p>
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<p>Arsenal dominated Chelsea on Sunday. Their attacking prowess was on full display as was their structure in defence. Performances like these give fans hope both for this season and the future. Let us hope this form continues. Trust the process.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
