Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Emile Smith Rowe secures win

Arsenal secured a vital win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday as Emile Smith Rowe’s first half goal lifted the spirits in north London considerably with a battling three points.

Mikel Arteta made wholesale changes from the previous victory over West Brom, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line, Thomas Partey coming into midfield and Kieran Tierney making his first Premier League start since recovering from injury.

A relatively tame start from both sides was starved of clear cut chances, with Arsenal and Chelsea sharing possession without much cutting edge.

Jorginho, however, proved himself to be worth every penny the Gunners spent for him in the summer with an atrocious back pass to Kepa that had the goalkeeper scrambling to clear it out. He managed to do so but only into the path of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who laid it into Emile Smith Rowe’s path and he scuffed an effort in off the post.

Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea as Emile Smith Rowe scores only goal in 1-0 Premier League win

Bernd Leno was called into action with a few crosses and a couple of blocks followed, as Arsenal stood firm in their defensive shape.

The Blues dominated possession after the break as Arsenal had no out-ball to relieve the pressure. Chelsea did have the ball in the net with half and hour to go, but Christian Pulisic was rightly ruled out for offside.

A tactical swap from Thomas Tuchel helped Arsenal in many ways, as the target man option opened up avenues for the Gunners to play out. Thomas Partey came into his own and added control in midfield, while the substitution of Hector Bellerin gave Arsenal threat at wing-back.

An excellent and organised display won them the points against an admittedly out of sorts Chelsea – who still had Giroud hit the bar twice in the same action – a win which significantly lifts the mood and keeps a UEFA Europa Conference League spot in sight.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 8/10 – Solid with his hands all night be it from wide deliveries, low takes or shots, and would score higher were it not for his kicking to be weak all night. There wasn’t much to aim for, but even still he rarely found his target. Showed what he can do, though, with a magnificent save in the dying embers.

Rob Holding (CB) – 8/10 – Nothing new when it comes to Rob Holding who can’t play down the line at all. On the ball his distribution is poor and there is nothing in a progressive sense that helps Arsenal.

Does most of the ‘defender’ things well but offered little beyond the classic centre-back profile. Positionally, however, he was sound and arguably the pick of the defensive trio. Stood strong all night.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 7/10 – Had a Shkodran Mustafi moment in the first half where he misread the situation horribly, only to be spared by Kai Havertz’s wastefulness. Improved from there and was the least shaky on the ball of the three.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Sloppy on the ball and relatively nervous off it, although that changed after the break. It’s evident he needs a run of games under his belt and not chopping and changing, which if Arsenal plan on trusting their investments, will happen. Still, his passing was pretty poor all night.

In a game where it was all about clearing and blocking, he did all that very well.

Arsenal Midfielders & Wing-Backs Ratings

Bukayo Saka (RWB) – 5/10 – Well organised in a defensive sense in what will be his eighth different position this season (probably). Arteta should have released him further forward to add some technical security further up the pitch, allowing to bring others into the game when Arsenal were backs against the wall.

He came off having not been in the game but he was wasted in that slot.

Thomas Partey (CM) – 7/10 – Same as we’ve grown accustomed to: a few lovely feints and press evasion, coupled with some lazy loose passes straight into opposition feet. Good thing those stopped before half-time.

Like many of the side, he improved as the game wore on, especially in the second half of the second period, where he showed elegance and silk in the engine room to ease the pressure on Arsenal.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 7/10 – Was it noticeable he was even playing? No, and that isn’t a bad thing. It was important Arsenal were organised in their shape on the night and got across the pitch to plug holes cut off passing lanes well.

Sure as heck wasn’t N’Golo Kante but in a match where he physically can’t pass forward and most of the play is in front of him, it suits him better. Quietly good.

Kieran Tierney (LWB) – 7/10 – So far from full fitness. There were numerous balls down the line (that weren’t great from Gabriel) but clearly Tierney felt there was no need to chase lost causes and expend unnecessary energy. Came alive as the second half wore on.

His talent and desire is unquestionable.

Arsenal Forwards Ratings

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 8/10 – Grabbed his goal by showing keen predatory instincts, the like that will see him become a more regular feature on the scoresheet as he continues to develop in the role. Worked hard off the ball as ever tried to break out whenever possible.

Came into his own when Chelsea altered their approach with Olivier Giroud up top.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 6/10 – On the ball did well, but as someone who thrives when his side sees most of the possession, his influence wanes when Arsenal are so deep and in need of bodies in front for him to aim for.

Nonetheless, tidy in that right half-space and put a shift in defensively.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 5/10 – In such a game it always feel unjust to score someone down when they don’t touch the ball as that’s exactly what happened with Arsenal content to sit deep and soak pressure. He was the only out-ball but there was no way to find him.

Arsenal Substitutes Ratings

Hector Bellerin – 7/10 – As a straight swap for Saka, Bellerin came in an immediately showed that he understand the right wing-back role better. He formed a decent understanding with Holding which grew during Project Restart. Came off later with injury, yet a great cameo.

Alexandre Lacazette – N/A – Not involved enough to earn a rating but worked hard as the focal point.

Calum Chambers – N/A – A substitute for a substitute.