Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners secure huge first leg victory

Arsenal managed a 3-2 victory away to Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to give their hopes of reaching the final a huge boost.

After a rotated side overcame Portsmouth in the FA Cup, Mikel Arteta opted to revert to full strength for this game, with two exceptions. Ben White remained at right back with Jurrien Timber taking up the starting left back spot while Kepa Arrizabalaga started in goal once again over David Raya.

The Gunners made the perfect start as they took the lead after just seven minutes. Their opener came through yet another set piece when Declan Rice sent a corner in and over Robert Sanchez for Ben White to head in.

Chelsea looked to pull themselves back into the game as they troubled Arsenal's backline, but they struggled to play out against the visitors' high press and often found themselves in trouble as a result.

Arteta's side went closest to finding the next goal when a long throw fell to William Saliba on the edge of the box and he set himself before looking to curl an effort into the far corner, only to see his strike go over the bar.

Just as they did the first, Arsenal started the second half perfectly, doubling their lead within minutes of the restart. Bukayo Saka picked up a throw on the right flank and played White in on the overlap. The right back sent a low cross into the box, which Robert Sanchez made a mess of and spilled it right into the path of Viktor Gyökeres, who slid the ball in from close range.

Chelsea got back in the game soon after when a cross went all the way to Alejandro Garnacho at the back post for him to fire past Kepa and hand his side a huge lifeline.

The hosts looked desperate to find an equaliser, but the Gunners re-established their two goal advantage with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Mikel Merino played a neat pass into Gyökeres, who turned and passed to Martín Zubimendi. The Spaniard faked two shots to set himself before firing in a well-taken strike.

Garnacho was Chelsea's hero once again when he pounced on a loose ball from a corner to fire a scissor kick effort in, reducing the deficit to one once again.

Both sides looked to find the next goal, but the scoreline remained the same at full-time, meaning Arsenal crucially take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of the semi final on 3 February. As the saying goes, it's only half-time in the tie.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their huge win at Chelsea.

Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 6.5/10 - Could have covered his near post slightly better for Garnacho's goal, but it would've taken a good stop to deny the strike. Booked for time wasting in the second half.

Ben White (RB) - 7.5/10 - Put his side in front with a header from a corner after just seven minutes. Troubled Sanchez with a low cross that resulted in a second goal for Arsenal. Unfortunate not to have blocked Garnacho's strike, but defended well otherwise.

William Saliba (CB) - 7.5/10 - Went close to adding a second in stunning fashion as his effort from range went just over the bar. Looked really solid in the first half and continued that after the break. Will be disappointed to have conceded twice.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7.5/10 - Solid throughout the game and like his defensive partner, he will be gutted to have conceded two goals. Went close to scoring from a corner in the second half.

Jurrien Timber (LB) - 7/10 - Playing out of position, he still looked very solid defensively and tried to get up the pitch to help in attack when he could.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 6.5/10 - Tested Sanchez with a well struck effort from range in the second half, but it was saved well. Tried to offer what he could creatively, but his output was mixed. Withdrawn with just under 25 minutes remaining.

Martín Zubimendi (CM) - 7.5/10 - Found himself in advanced positions throughout the first half, even making a striker's run at one point. Dropped back in after the break and was solid at the base. Fired in his side's third with a good strike from the centre of the box.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7.5/10 - His corner delivery carved out the opener for his side as it sailed over everyone for White to head in. Continued to cause issues with his set pieces throughout the night. Withdrawn for the final minutes.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 7/10 - Linked up well with White before playing him on the overlap in the build-up to the second goal. Caused problems for Cucurella down the right flank and also was a source of trouble with his corner deliveries.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 7.5/10 - Struggled in the first half, but had a great start to the second as he showed poacher's instinct to capitalise on a Sanchez mistake to slide in and double his side's advantage. Grabbed an assist when he turned and passed to Zubimendi for the third. Brought off in the closing stages.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 6.5/10 - Caused some problems on the left flank, but he struggled to be too involved. Booked in the first half and taken off after the hour.

Substitutes

• Mikel Merino (on 67' for Ødegaard) - 7.5/10
• Gabriel Martinelli (on 67' for Trossard) - 6.5/10
• Kai Havertz (on 82' for Rice) - N/A
• Gabriel Jesus (on 82' for Gyökeres) - N/A

Player of the match: Martín Zubimendi