“We would’ve won against Arsenal but that particular player costs us the victory…Maresca must find way to deal with that problem”: Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez says ONE player costs Chelsea three points against Arsenal
“We would’ve won against Arsenal but that particular player costs us the victory…Maresca must find way to deal with that problem”: Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez says ONE player costs Chelsea three points against Arsenal
Chelsea have drawn 1-1 with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge thanks to an equaliser from Pedro Neto.
Cole Palmer passed a fitness test on Saturday and was part of the XI to take on the Gunners, while Reece James was benched in place of Marc Cucurella. The Blues started the game brightly and Malo Gusto missed a golden opportunity to put them ahead just after the 20-minute mark.
Kai Havertz thought he put Chelsea ahead on the half hour-mark but VAR adjudged him to be offside and it was later ruled out. However, an hour in, Gabriel Martinelli fired past Robert Sanchez to put the visitors ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Not too long after, though, Neto equalised. After being afforded far too much space, the Portugal international smashed the ball past David Raya from outside of the area.
Robert Sanchez – Good save on 27 minutes from a Gabriel Martinelli effort inside the box. Should do better for the goal. Martinelli needed to be closed down quicker. 5.
Malo Gusto – Missed a huge chance on 24 minutes. Not his best day but certainly not his worst. 6.
Wesley Fofana – Aggressive. Some nice moments on the ball. 6.
Levi Colwill – An unbelievable diagonal pass across the pitch to Noni Madueke on 11 minutes. Defended well. 6.
Marc Cucurella – Did a really fine job on Bukayo Saka before being booked late on – a tackle which saw the Arsenal winger subbed. 6.
Romeo Lavia – Very good. Always seems to do well in these big games. 7.
Moises Caicedo – As aggressive as ever off the ball. Hassled and harried Arsenal throughout. 7.5.
Noni Madueke – Did his defensive work really well. He was not, however, to have the same impact in an attacking sense. 6.
Cole Palmer – Very quiet. Was man-marked by Thomas Partey. 5.
Pedro Neto – Excellent throughout. A fantastic cross to Gusto on 24 minutes that should have been the opening goal. He then equalised with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box. Man of the match. 8.
Nicolas Jackson – Ball wouldn’t stick to him in the early stages of the game but he got better as the match went on. 6.
Enzo Fernandez (on for Lavia 67′) – Immediate impact, getting the assist for Neto. 6.5.
Mykhailo Mudryk (on for Madueke 67′) – Not too involved. 6.
Reece James (on for Gusto 82′) – Bit surprised he didn’t start, to be honest. N/A.
Christopher Nkunku (on for Jackson 88′) – Some minutes. N/A.
