Player Ratings: Mikel Merino rescues point for Arsenal against 10-men Chelsea | OneFootball

Player Ratings: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Chelsea and Arsenal served up a combative London contest that ended 1-1, a result that nudged Arsenal five points clear at the top but also left plenty for both sets of supporters to debate. This was a game defined by early fire, a red card that shifted the tone, and a late Arsenal response that ensured the points were shared. With Chelsea pressing high and Arsenal content to sit in shape, the tension built steadily across a match that rarely dipped in intensity.

Chelsea Control and Arsenal Response

The first 15 minutes were frantic, shaped by three yellow cards and an unmistakable edge between the sides. That boiled over when Moises Caicedo was sent off for a late challenge, leaving the Blues down to ten-men. Chelsea settled faster in the second half still, dictated possession in key areas and claimed the opener through Trevoh Chalobah, who rose to meet a Reece James delivery and sent a glancing header beyond David Raya. 

The home side defended with commitment but eventually the pressure told. A clever Saka run and delivery opened the door for Mikel Merino, and Arsenal found parity.

Tactical Themes and Team Performances

Chelsea’s approach was built on aggression, stamina and fast transitions. Even down a player they held their shape and tried to work the flanks through Pedro Neto and Estevao. Joao Pedro fought for every scrap, while Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto offered relentless energy out wide. That said, the loss of Caicedo swung the match, robbing Chelsea of control in the centre and forcing them into deeper defensive rhythms.

Photo: IMAGO

Arsenal’s structure was patient rather than expressive. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi spent long stretches covering ground and blocking lanes, while Saka and Martinelli were tasked with direct runs at pace. The latter struggled, denied space repeatedly, while Saka was Arsenal’s most reliable outlet. The defensive unit held firm under pressure, though Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori each had to walk a tightrope after early bookings.

Chelsea Player Ratings

GK Robert Sanchez, 7LB Marc Cucurella, 7CB Trevoh Chalobah, 7CB Wesley Fofana, 7RB Malo Gusto, 7DM Reece James, 7DM Moises Caicedo, 4RW Estevao, 6AM Enzo Fernandez, 7LW Pedro Neto, 7CF Joao Pedro, 7SUB Alejandro Garnacho, 6SUB Liam Delap, 6Enzo Maresca, 7

Arsenal Player Ratings

GK David Raya, 6RB Jurrien Timber, 7CB Piero Hincapie, 6CB Cristhian Mosquera, 6LB Riccardo Calafiori, 7CM Eberechi Eze, 4CM Martin Zubimendi, 6CM Declan Rice, 7RW Bukayo Saka, 8CF Mikel Merino, 7LW Gabriel Martinelli, 4SUB Myles Lewis Skelly, 5SUB Noni Madueke, 5SUB Martin Odegaard, 5SUB Viktor Gyokeres, 5Mikel Arteta, 6