3 standout players from Arsenal's first leg win at Chelsea

Arsenal secured a crucial 3-2 victory away to Chelsea in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final to put one foot in the final.

Ben White headed the Gunners into the lead after just seven minutes before Viktor Gyökeres doubled their advantage from close range moments after the start of the second-half. Alejandro Garnacho handed the Blues a lifeline, but Martín Zubimendi restored the two-goal advantage with a well-taken finish, only for the Argentine to grab a second in the closing stages.

It was a great team performance from Mikel Arteta's side as they managed an important win away from home in the first leg, but there were three that stood out above the rest.

3 standout players from Arsenal's first leg win at Chelsea

1. Viktor Gyökeres

If someone told me at the end of the first-half that Viktor Gyökeres would be one of his side's star performers, I probably would have laughed.

The Swede had no influence on the first-half other than occasionally battling with the Chelsea defence, but he seriously improved after the break. He showed the required striker's instinct to slide in and pounce on Ben White's low cross that Robert "Butter Fingers" Sanchez failed to deal with, doubling his side's advantage.

He then turned provider when he set Martín Zubimendi up after collecting the ball and turning well before finding the Spaniard with a good pass.

It wasn't a performance that blew fans away, but Gyökeres did what was needed of him in a game where a win was crucial and his goal and assist should be a real boost of confidence as he looks to finally kick on for Arsenal.

2. Martín Zubimendi

Starting in his usual number six role, Martín Zubimendi showed once again why Arsenal spent the big bucks on him in the summer, fighting off a number of big clubs to do so.

In the first-half, the Spaniard often found himself in advanced positions and even made a great striker-esque run, but wasn't picked out. He did get on the scoresheet midway through the second-half though when he was found by Gyökeres and faked two shots before firing a great effort past Sanchez to make it 3-1.

While he helped out plenty in attack, Zubimendi also did his defensive job, making two tackles, two interceptions and winning three ground duels. It was a great all-round performance by Zubimendi that proved his worth once again.

3. Ben White

Despite being kept at bay by his fitness struggles and Jurrien Timber, Ben White has taken his chances when given them this season and his performance against Chelsea was no exception.

The defender started the game perfectly when he headed his side into the lead after just seven minutes, meeting Declan Rice's corner that sailed over everyone to make it 1-0.

He continued to be a nuisance in attack and was technically the provider for the second goal when he linked up well with Bukayo Saka before sending a low cross in that Sanchez fumbled into the path of Gyökeres, who slid it into the net.

Of course, White met his defensive requirements too, keeping Chelsea's left side quiet, but he will be disappointed not to have done better to block Garnacho's first goal. However, that didn't take anything away from a great showing at Stamford Bridge.