Overview

In what has become a seasonal ritual at this point, Chelsea thoroughly outplayed Arsenal only to drop points due to a collection of freak incidences. The team had been on a scarcely believable run of big-game results of late, so it was inevitable that we would drop points one game. The fact the reality check arrived during a derby is not great but on the flip side, it could have happened during a far more serious game.

Chelsea did not create many big chances — the two that were created came from an opposition error and as part of a desperate push in the 90th minute — but we also conceded virtually nothing outside one moment. While it looked like the team did not care, the reality is that most of our players are tired after a hectic run. A game where we let our guard down was inevitable, really.

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Match statistics

Statistics from fbref and understat.

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Individual ratings

Thomas Tuchel

Arguably had his worst game as a Chelsea manager, something that he admitted to in the post-game interview. While the starting lineup was what most people expected, his in-game changes effectively nullified Chelsea’s chances of mounting a comeback. Gilmour’s substitution had a massive negative effect on the team’s ball-progression, especially since Mount had an off-day.

Just as Chelsea started showing some life in the second-half, Giroud’s introduction sucked out the momentum and the team did not create anything of note except for the desperate last-minute heave mentioned above. Tuchel had a pretty bad night but he has also plenty of credit in the bank for this to be merely a blip.

RATING: 5

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Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Kepa Arizzabalaga — GK

Did really well to prevent an own-goal, albeit somewhat illegally. (Ed.note: it would’ve been an indirect free kick, but due to a quirk in the rules, not a red card for a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.) He could have perhaps stayed on his line against Aubameyang but it is hard to criticize during a situation evolving as fast as that one. The biggest difference between him and Mendy was in terms of passing — Kepa held onto the ball for too long and was not as quick as Mendy.

Stats of note
3 passes over 40 yards completed (5 attempted)
3 defensive actions outside the box

RATING: 6

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Reece James — RWB

Had an OK performance without tipping the needle in either direction. His poor final ball has been a concern for quite a few weeks now and this game was no different.

Stats of note
3 key passes - Joint 1st
3 passes into penalty box - Joint 1st
3 successful dribbles (3 attempted) - Joint 1st
2 tackles - 2nd

RATING: 6.5

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César Azpilicueta — RCB

Fulfilled his defensive duties competently and did well to move the ball upfield.

Stats of note
3 tackles - 1st
2 interceptions - Joint 1st
4 carries into final third - 2nd
9 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
4 progressive passes - Joint 2nd
3 clearances - 3rd

RATING: 7

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Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Thiago Silva — CB

Ensured Arsenal could not generate any dangerous actions from transitions. His passing was awesome for most of the game too. Neither Thiago nor Azpi deserve low ratings — the defeat was not really their fault.

Stats of note
10 passes into final third - 1st
18 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
5 clearances - 2nd
4 aerial duels won (5 contested) - 2nd
11 progressive carries - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7

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Kurt Zouma — LCB

He put Jorginho under unnecessary pressure and should shoulder a part of the blame for the goal. Arsenal let him have the ball as a ploy to induce mistakes and while he held his own besides one moment, the difference between him and Rüdiger is palpable.

Stats of note
4 shots - 1st
6 clearances - 1st
5 aerial duels won (6 contested) - 1st
13 progressive carries - Joint 1st
5 carries into final third - Joint 1st
10 loose-ball recoveries - 2nd
4 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
9 passes into final third - Joint 2nd

RATING: 6

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Ben Chilwell — LWB

Like Reece, he had an okay display at best. Arsenal did phenomenally well to ensure both our wing-backs got the ball in safe locations.

Stats of note
2 interceptions - Joint 1st
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - Joint 2nd
14 pressures - 3rd

RATING: 6

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Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Billy Gilmour — RCM

Was the sole shining light in the first half among midfielders and attackers. It was bizarre to see him taken off, whatever the reasons may be. While it is not his best role, Gilmour has shown that he is capable of sitting deep.

While he might not rank in the top 3 for any stat, his early substitution has a part to play in that — he was on track for finishing in the top 3 for both progressive passes and passes into the final third, at the very least.

Stats of note
N/A

RATING: 6.5

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Jorginho — LCM

Arsenal’s goal could have been avoided had Jorginho lifted his head and assessed his options. However, this was an one-in-a-thousand occurrence and shouldn’t be held against him. What should be held against him was his poor passing all night. One instance in the first-half where he was five yards away from Reece James and scooped a pass to his chest summed his game up.

Stats of note
6 progressive passes - 1st
19 pressures - 1st
2 key passes - Joint 2nd
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - Joint 2nd
9 loose-ball recoveries - 3rd

RATING: 6

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Mason Mount — R-AM/W

Mount could have done better once he moved deeper. He was well short of his usual passing standards and his set piece delivery was poor too, although his ball-carrying was close to its normal levels. Like Tuchel, there’s enough reason to be optimistic that this was a one-off and not something serious.

Stats of note
12 touches in the penalty box - 1st
3 key passes - Joint 1st
13 progressive carries - Joint 1st
5 carries into final third - Joint 1st
3 carries into penalty box - Joint 1st
17 pressures - 2nd
6 progressive passes received - 2nd
3 shots - Joint 2nd
4 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
4 progressive passes - Joint 2nd

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Kai Havertz — CF

Created a chance out of thin air but failed to finish it. He got into some dangerous locations in the box before being pushed off the ball or fouled, depending on how you view it. Havertz, like Mount, needs to learn how to manufacture fouls. We have improved dramatically in terms of gamesmanship but there is still a lot to learn.

Stats of note
5 shot-creating actions - 1st
3 successful dribbles (4 attempted) - Joint 1st
3 carries into penalty box - Joint 1st
3 shots - Joint 2nd
9 touches in the penalty box - Joint 2nd
5 progressive passes received - 3rd
3 aerial duels won (3 contested) - 3rd

RATING: 6

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Christian Pulisic — L-AM/W

The team failed to get him the ball close to the box consistently, where he is in his element. As a result he was drawn out of his comfort zone and was forced to receive the ball deep, leading to multiple turnovers and a frustrating night.

Stats of note
10 progressive passes received - 1st
3 passes into penalty box - Joint 1st
2 carries into penalty box - 2nd
3 shots - Joint 2nd
2 key passes - Joint 2nd
9 touches in the penalty box - Joint 2nd
2 successful dribbles (4 attempted) - Joint 2nd
11 progressive carries - Joint 2nd

RATING: 6.5

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Substitutes

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Callum Hudson-Odoi (45th minute) — Had a torrid outing, making mistakes in almost every facet of his game. Young players are allowed to be inconsistent but this was an unacceptably bad display.

Stats of note
2 key passes - Joint 2nd

Olivier Giroud (65th minute) — Gave Hudson-Odoi a run for his money in terms of being the worst substitute. It is hard to see what he offers at this point.

Stats of note
3 shots - Joint 2nd
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - Joint 2nd

Hakim Ziyech (78th minute) — Besides one cross to Silva, he did nothing of note.

Stats of note
3 passes into penalty box - Joint 1st
4 progressive passes - Joint 2nd