Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Player ratings

Sport360 staff 22:45 27/05/2017
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  • Aaron Ramsey scored a 79th-minute winner to earn Arsenal a stunning 2-1 win over Double-chasing Chelsea on Saturday and deliver embattled manager Arsene Wenger a record seventh FA Cup.

    Wenger has been barracked by his own fans and failed to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years, but he ends the season by surpassing Aston Villa’s George Ramsey as the FA Cup’s greatest manager.

    Alexis Sanchez’s early opener for Arsenal, allowed to stand despite an apparent handball, was cancelled out by Diego Costa, only for Ramsey to reply immediately with the second FA Cup-winning goal of his career.

    It was Arsenal’s third FA Cup win in four seasons and 13th in total, making them the outright most successful team in the competition’s history ahead of Manchester United.

    Here, we look at how the two sets of players fared.

    ARSENAL

    David Ospina: Could have done better with the goal but the deflection was a nasty one. Made a couple of smart saves, particularly against Costa in the 86th minute. 7/10

    Rob Holding: Was at fault for Chelsea’s goal as well but was relatively solid apart from that. 6

    Per Mertesacker: First start in 392 days but was superb on the day. The three at the back system protected against his lack of pace. Made a great last-ditch tackle to deny Pedro in the 48th minute. 7

    Nacho Monreal: Didn’t do too much wrong but his passing was wayward on occasion. Pedro seemed to trouble him a bit as well. 6

    Hector Bellerin: Showed great pace and industry when venturing forward. Shot narrowly wide late on and tested Courtois with a side-footed attempt from outside the box. 7

    Aaron Ramsey: Excellent in midfield. Grabbed the winner, struck the woodwork and put in a good shift. 8

    Granit Xhaka: Conceded his obligatory yellow card but was strong in the middle of the park. 7

    Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain: Played out of position at left wing-back but always puts in a shift and did a job until he was sacrificed late on. 6

    Mesut Ozil: Been accused of his languid approach but chased and harried when out of possession and always a threat on the ball – hit the post late on and executed a few great passes. 7

    Alexis Sanchez: Opened the scoring in controversial fashion and was his usual, tenacious self. Drove Arsenal forward so many times. 8

    Danny Welbeck: His pace rattled the Chelsea defence a number of times in the first half and was unlucky to guide a header against the woodwork. 7

    SUBSTITUTES

    Olivier Giroud – Had an instant impact after his introduction, crossing for Ramsey to head Arsenal back in front just 38 seconds after replacing Welbeck. 7

    Francis Coquelin – Brought on to offer protection at the back. Booked. 6

    Mohamed Elneny – Time-wasting substitution from Arsenal. 6

    CHELSEA

    Thibaut Courtois: Blameless for both goals and reacted quickly to push a Granit Xhaka shot wide. 6

    Victor Moses: Became the fifth player to be sent off in an FA Cup final after receiving a second yellow card for diving. It was the correct call and made Chelsea’s attempt at a comeback even more difficult. 3

    Cesar Azpilicueta: Lacked his usual composure at the back and was given a hard time by the speedy Hector Bellerin. 5

    Gary Cahill: Twice saved Chelsea’s skin with clearances off the line in the first half. One of his side’s better performers. 6

    David Luiz: Dozy throughout, typified by him standing still to claim offside when he might otherwise have prevented Alexis Sanchez giving Arsenal the lead. 4

    Marcos Alonso: Fired a free-kick over the bar and was unusually blunt going forward. Not at his best. 5

    Nemanja Matic: Preferred to Cesc Fabregas but never gave Chelsea enough protection. Duly came off for the Spaniard in the second half. 5

    N’Golo Kante: Unable to contain Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in the first half and failed to track Aaron Ramsey when the midfielder headed in Arsenal’s second goal. 5

    Pedro: A lovely lofted ball almost led to Costa scoring early on but blazed over when put in by Hazard. Lacked precision in the final third. 6

    Eden Hazard: Underwhelming in the first half and when he livened up in the second his team were already chasing the game. Disappointing. 5

    Diego Costa: A vintage Costa display in what could be his final appearance in a Chelsea shirt. Physical, tenacious, clinical – he deserved his goal. 7 

    SUBSTITUTES

    Cesc Fabregas – Left on the bench by Antonio Conte despite his brilliant recent form and was certainly missed. 6

    Willian – Introduced to add more penetration to Chelsea’s attacks but struggled to make an impact. 5

    Michy Batshuayi – Thrown on in the final minutes to score a second but had very little time to achieve it. 5

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