Arsenal Player Ratings: Lukaku scores as Gunners fall 2-0 to rampant Blues

Arsenal hosted Chelsea at the Emirates in a hotly-anticipated London derby, as Romelu Lukaku made his return to the Blues’ side after seven years away. While it was sunny days for the Blues, the mid-match downpour illustrated the Gunners selection woes—Lacazette and Ben White incapacitated by COVID, Gabriel injured, and Aubameyang still not fully fit following his own bout with the disease.

Mikel Arteta showed some baffling tactics, retaining Pablo Mari in the squad and directing the team to play a back four, despite the obvious threat offered by the Chelsea wing-backs. The team looked poor every time the Blues came forward, with very little effectiveness pressing, or closing passing lanes.

Gabriel Martinelli started at centre-forward, ahead of a similarly youthful trio of Saka, Smith Rowe, and Pepe, with hopes to make a decent impact. The Brazilian, having just returned from a gold-medal Olympic campaign, will likely look to cement his place in the squad this season.

Arsenal continued their losing slide with a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea.

The Gunners looked strong early on, with a few ugly turnovers by the Chelsea backline leading to a few opportunities, but the boys from west London looked to establish control, and steamrolled the home side as the first half progressed.

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Goals from Lukaku and Reece James pegged the Gunners back in the first half, and proved to be fatal. Bukayo Saka certainly should have won a penalty, though he was denied by poor refereeing from Paul Tierney.

The second half started with no changes from Mikel Arteta, but Arsenal looked a refreshed side, creating more chances and pegging back a Chelsea side admittedly playing in third gear, trying to coast to a well-deserved win.

Injuries to Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli hamstrung Arsenal’s hopes of a comeback, and though there were positive cameos from Nuno Tavares, Emile Smith Rowe, and Albert Sambi Lokonga, 2-0 was the final score at the Emirates, with Arsenal still yet to score a goal this Premier League campaign.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

GK: Bernd Leno – 6.0

Leno Island returns for another hit season. Did the best he could in front of a shambolic defense, and made a wonder save against Romelu Lukaku, but couldn’t do anything about either goal scored against him. Looked good in distribution, and was impatient with his defenders.

RB: Cedric – 3.0

Positionally incompetent out of possession. Failed to hold a proper high line for the first goal, and didn’t provide any support to Pepe going forwards. Might have earned a 5 or a 6 if Arsenal had won, but given his lack of positional nous sucked the entire backline over to the right side, leaving Reece James wide open, it’s a 3.

CB: Rob Holding – 4.0

Bettered his partner, which is a low bar. Won some good headers, and though he likely should have scored, actually defended when called upon. Tidy in possession as well.

CB: Pablo Mari – 2.0

Despite a few key tackles, Pablo Mari was absolutely shambolic. Defended poorly, took on a man-marking role which he failed at miserably, and his communication was absolutely nowhere. Shouldn’t have started, which isn’t his fault, but he fell short of even his meagre expectations.

LB: Kieran Tierney – 5.0

Defended poorly, playing more of the LCB role that he should have deployed in, which gave Reece James far too much space. Didn’t have any help from Saka or Xhaka, and was left in an entirely confusing 2-on-1 matchup. Attacked well as per always, and I hope the injury isn’t serious.