Arsenal vs Chelsea: player ratings

Jeremy Wilson and Alan Tyers review and rate the performances of the Arsenal and Chelsea players after Sunday's 0-0 draw at Emirates 

 

No way through: Ramires marks Alexis Sanchez out of the game Photo: ACTION IMAGES

ARSENAL

David Ospina - Extremely fortunate both to remain on the pitch and not concede a penalty after crashing recklessly into Oscar, but largely a spectator thereafter

Hector Bellerin - His reputation grows with every match and was picked above Debuchy. Made a crucial goal-line clearance and his cross also created chance for Sanchez

Per Mertesacker - Back in the team after recovering from the calf injury he suffered in FA Cup semi-final and was an important presence in maintaining Arsenal’s organisation

Laurent Koscielny - Was strong in largely containing Drogba during the second-half but it was his mistake in misjudging a Fabregas through-ball that led to Oscar’s first-half penalty appeal

Nacho Monreal - Picked for his extra defensive solidity but offered Arsenal limited width and, when he did get forward, some of his crossing was also wayward
Francis Coquelin - Had spoken before the game about how he would like to learn from Matic and this was another performance to suggest he really can grow to have a comparable influence for Arsenal
Santi Cazorla - Was fortunate not to concede a penalty with his tackle on Fabregas, even if the Chelsea player did exaggerate the impact, but was also then unlucky when his shot was blocked by Cahill’s arm
Aaron Ramsey - Again asked to play wide on the right and, although his goalscoring touch has returned in recent weeks, his understandable focus was to help Bellerin contain Hazard
Mesut Ozil - The reason that Wenger felt he did not need to re-sign Fabregas but this was one of his quieter performances. Tested Courtois just before half-time, but largely contained
Alexis Sanchez - Seemed to be the focus for some heavy early challenges and, with Ivanovic typically so solid at right-back, was unable to impart his usual influence
Olivier Giroud - Eventually substituted after 84 frustrating minutes in which he was also denied space and failed to link the Arsenal attack with the clinical guile he has displayed since Christmas


Substitutes:
Danny Welbeck - Replaced Coquelin as Wenger went all out for his first win over Mourinho and did stretch the Chelsea back-line rather more than Giroud 7
Theo Walcott - Had only the last six minutes to make any impact. His pace would have given Arsenal a rather option earlier in the match 6

CHELSEA

Thibaut Courtois - Not at his most commanding and flapped at one cross, but never under serious pressure and a clean sheet was deserved
Branislav Ivanovic - Kept the dangerous Sanchez quiet by fair means and foul (was booked early on) but Monreal was able to make some progress down his flank
Cesar Azpilicueta - A very assured display from a player who rarely puts a foot wrong. Ramsey could get no change at all out of the Blues' Spanish right-back
John Terry - A rock at the back for Chelsea, giving Giroud nothing in the air and reading the game brilliantly throughout. Marshalled his troops superbly
Gary Cahill - Lucky not to give away a penalty for handball but otherwise supported Terry ably. Still looks a class below rest of back four
Nemanja Matic - Not pretty but mighty effective. The Serb screened the Chelsea back four very ably and nullified the threat of Arsenal’s talented tippy-tappy men
Ramires - Some energetic runs but the Brazilian should have scored when played through by compatriot Willian; in summary - something of a mixed display
Cesc Fabregas - Booked for diving and made subsequent niggly fouls that might have earned him a second yellow. Little goal threat against his former team
Oscar - Tried his best in an unfamiliar quasi-centre-forward role before his match was ended by an awful foul from Ospina that should have been a penalty
Willian - Quick, nimble, energetic, he was a constant threat in Chelsea’s build-up and also on the break. Their most dangerous player at the Emirates
Eden Hazard - A quiet game by the Belgian's own high standards. Tried hard but many passes and runs did not quite come off this time
 

Substitutes:
Didier Drogba - Hit sole chance straight at keeper 5
Kurt Zouma - Brief, solid showing 6
Juan Cuadrado - No chance to make impact 6

Cr  :   Telegraph