Player ratings as David Luiz sees red in Chelsea-Arsenal stalemate

Sport360 staff 19:33 17/09/2017
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  • Arsenal ended a five-match losing streak at Stamford Bridge in an entertaining draw with Premier League champions Chelsea.

    It was as frenetic and entertaining as a goalless draw could be, with David Luiz sent off late on for a poor challenge on Sead Kolasinac which saw both benches rise to their feet.

    Arsenal had the better chances, the best when Alexandre Lacazette shot wide after Aaron Ramsey had hit the post.

    Danny Welbeck should also have done better than head wide in a first half which saw Petr Cech save well from Pedro.

    CHELSEA

    THIBAUT COURTOIS: Dealt with the regulation efforts and did not have to extend himself. 6

    CESAR AZPILICUETA: Uncharacteristically beaten by Aaron Ramsey in the first half, but otherwise untroubled. 7

    DAVID LUIZ: Made Alexandre Lacazette and Danny Welbeck look ordinary, but spoiled his performance with a reckless tackle to earn a red card. 6

    GARY CAHILL: Back in the Premier League for the first time since the opening day and showed his importance. 7

    VICTOR MOSES: Created a good first half opportunity for Alvaro Morata and was busy down the right. 6

    N’GOLO KANTE: Improved when paired with Tiemoue Bakayoko instead of Cesc Fabregas as his fellow Frenchman shared the burden. 7

    CESC FABREGAS: Had moments of magic, particularly when feeding Pedro, but did not have the space he enjoyed against Qarabag. 6

    MARCOS ALONSO: Enjoyed a good duel with Hector Bellerin down Chelsea’s left, but could not quite get the better of his compatriot. 7

    ALVARO MORATA: Won his contest with Shkodran Mustafi but headed wide with his only real chance. 6

    WILLIAN: Bright. Constantly gave Arsenal something to think about and was central to much of Chelsea’s good work. 7

    PEDRO: Should have scored when played through one-on-one against Petr Cech. 6

    Substitutes

    TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO (for Pedro, 46 minutes): Provided much needed physicality in the Chelsea midfield. 7

    EDEN HAZARD (for Willian, 69): Showed flashes as he continues to be nursed back to full fitness. Tested Cech. 7

    ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN (for Morata, 89): A late change once Luiz had been dismissed. 6

    David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette

    David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette

    ARSENAL

    PETR CECH: Made a crucial save from Pedro and looked assured against his former club. 7

    SHKODRAN MUSTAFI: Still has shaky moments but was strong when needed. 6

    LAURENT KOSCIELNY: Along with his defensive colleagues the Arsenal skipper did a decent job of keeping Morata relatively quiet. 6

    NACHO MONREAL: Now a first-choice centre-back for Arsene Wenger and completed his task with diligence once again. 6

    HECTOR BELLERIN: Set up two early chances with marauding runs forward and worked tirelessly down the right. 7

    GRANIT XHAKA: Big afternoon up against Kante, Fabregas – and later Bakayoko – in the middle of the park and he held his own. 7

    AARON RAMSEY: Arsenal’s best player for much the game and was unlucky to see a first-half effort hit the post. 7

    SEAD KOLASINAC: The new folk-hero of the Arsenal supporters, sometimes caught out defensively but a battler through and through. 7

    ALEX IWOBI: Surprise starter as Alexis Sanchez dropped to the bench and did little to suggest he will retain his place. 6

    DANNY WELBECK: Scored twice last weekend and was lively here, although guilty of missing a great early chance as he headed wide, forced off with a groin injury. 6

    ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE: Arsenal’s club-record signing can score goals but he missed a sitter in this one and seemed out of sync with many of his team-mates. 5

    Substitutes

    ALEXIS SANCHEZ (for Lacazette, 65): Came on to a rapturous ovation from the visiting fans but could not inspire them to three points. 6

    OLIVIER GIROUD (for Welbeck, 73): A replacement for the injured Welbeck, did not have a sniff of goal. 5

    MOHAMED ELNENY (for Iwobi, 80): Introduced to help keep things tight in the closing stages. 6

    Provided by Press Association

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