Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Jurrien Timber back to his best as David Raya steps up

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Evening Standard

·1. März 2026

Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Jurrien Timber back to his best as David Raya steps up

Whole Gunners defence impresses and Bukayo Saka sharp, but an off day for Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze

Arsenal moved five points clear of Manchester City again at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

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In the fourth meeting between these two sides this season, the Gunners took the lead in north London through William Saliba’s close-range header from a corner.

Piero Hincapie flicked into his own net just before half-time as Chelsea responded with a corner of their own, but the set-piece dominance continued midway through the second half when Jurrien Timber rose highest to restore the lead.

The Gunners were not entirely comfortable, despite playing the last 20 minutes with an extra man after Pedro Neto’s red card, but they did enough.

Standard Sport’s Matt Verri was at the Emirates Stadium to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 9

Brilliantly clawed the ball away to stop a Declan Rice own goal and then again in stoppage time to deny Alejandro Garnacho. Reacted well to save Joao Pedro’s header too and pushed away Enzo Fernandez’s strike from distance. Stepped up massively.

Jurrien Timber 9

Linked up superbly a couple of times with Bukayo Saka on the overlap, forcing the corner that led to Saliba’s goal. Then rose highest himself to head in and restore lead. Back to his best after quiet run.

William Saliba 8

First goal of the season opened the scoring, reacting well to head in from close range. Frustrated fans at times with how long he took on the ball during nervy second-half spell and had a shaky moment with loose pass, but overall rock solid.

Gabriel 8

Dominant at the back post to head back across goal for the opener. Did not have it all his own way against Joao Pedro and was booked for needless foul in the second half, but key presence again. Superb defending in stoppage time to stop Liam Delap shot.

Piero Hincapie 8

Continued his fine form. Neto had no real joy against him and he was relentless in flying up and down the left wing, showing impressive pace. Looking better and better in the final third. Unlucky for own goal.

Martin Zubimendi 5

Added to tension with terrible back pass, one that Raya just about hacked away. Positioned further forward than Rice but no outfield player had fewer touches in the first half for Arsenal.

Declan Rice 6

Typically pinpoint corner delivery for Timber’s goal but otherwise not quite at his usual standards. Fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty for handball and shanked one back pass out for a corner.

Bukayo Saka 8

Had the beating of Jorrel Hato and set Timber away perfectly a couple of times. Great ball to the back post led to opener and also created good chances for Rice and Eberechi Eze. Really sharp and deserved at least an assist to show for it.

Eberechi Eze 5

Off the pace, particularly compared to his Spurs heroics. Too keen to take an extra second on the ball and decision-making was lacking. Mikel Arteta was visibly frustrated with him more than once after slack touches.

Leandro Trossard 5

Really poor display. Strange decisions when trying to dribble on the edge of his own box, indecisive when in front of goal, and really sloppy on the ball. No surprise he was hooked before the hour mark.

Viktor Gyokeres 7

Offered Arsenal a constant outlet with tireless running down the channels. Positive and direct with the ball at his feet. End product was not there but his all-round play was key.