Arsenal will take a slender lead back to the Emirates after beating Chelsea 3-2 in a thrilling Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg on Wednesday.
Ben White gave the Gunners the perfect start when he nodded home Declan Rice’s corner after just seven minutes.
Viktor Gyokeres doubled Arsenal’s lead in the second half, capitalising on an error from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to score his eighth of the season.
Chelsea halved the deficit through Alejandro Garnacho before Martin Zubimendi restored their two-goal advantage.
But Garnacho struck again late on to ensure the Blues remain in the tie ahead of the second leg on February 3.
Daily Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill and Isaan Khan were at Stamford Bridge to run the rule over the two sides.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2 in a thrilling Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg on Wednesday
CHELSEA
Robert Sanchez – 3
Flapped at the corner from which Ben White scored first, then let the ball slip through fingers for Viktor Gyokeres’s 2-0 tap-in. Error-strewn evening.
Josh Acheampong – 6
No Reece James or Malo Gusto, so the academy graduate got the nod and intriguing role saw him pushing high up the pitch.
Trevoh Chalobah – 5
Too often found in poor positions defensively and watching Arsenal’s attacking play unfold around him rather than preventing it. Poor night for him and others.
Wesley Fofana – 5
Chelsea went man-to-man out of possession with Fofana following Martin Odegaard wherever he went. Martin Zubimendi skipped by him for Arsenal’s third goal.
Robert Sanchez’s howler gifted Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal’s second goal on the night
Marc Cucurella – 5.5
Booked for one lunging challenge on Bukayo Saka, with whom he had an ongoing battle. Had zero help when White overlapped to cross for Gyokeres’ goal.
Andrey Santos – 5.5
Moises Caicedo’s ban made this a big match for Santos. No faulting his work rate in charging around, but Chelsea’s midfield rarely ran the show.
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Aggressive in winning the ball not once but twice, then threw himself at Neto’s cross seconds later to attract defenders to him and help Garnacho score.
Estevao Willian – 6.5
Two viscious cracks needed stopping by former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Won the corner from which it became 3-2 towards the end. Never stopped trying.
Alejandro Garnacho’s double kept Chelsea in the tie ahead of the second leg at the Emirates
Joao Pedro – 5
Caught napping while White made it 1-0 from Arsenal’s early corner. His trickled ball through the six-yard box was begging to be buried later on.
Pedro Neto – 6.5
Two crosses from Neto ended up finding Garnacho to twice get a goal back when Chelsea were tailing 2-0 and then 3-1, representing lifelines.
Marc Guiu – 5
Liam Delap falling ill a few hours before kick-off saw Guiu handed a surprise start. Hardly ever looked like a threat up top.
Manager
Liam Rosenior – 5.5
So many missing through injury, illness or suspension, so was tough.
SUBS
Alejandro Garnacho (for Guiu, 53) – 7
Benoit Badiashile (for Acheampong, 53) – 6
Jorrel Hato (for Fofana, 75) – 6
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Cucurella, 81) – N/A
Shumaira Mheuka (for Joao Pedro, 81) – N/A
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Mixed display. Made some solid stops where he pushed ball well away from goal. But beaten at near post for Garnacho’s strike.
Ben White – 8.5
Match-winning display, highlighted by headed goal from a Declan Rice corner and an assist for Viktor Gyokeres.
William Saliba – 6
Thought he was an attacker at times. Played lots of forward passes, and shot just over the bar on 40 minutes.
Ben White gave the Gunners the perfect start as he headed home from a corner early on
Gabriel – 6.5
Marshalled the defence well. Felt under the cosh in a period during the second half. Will be disappointed to concede twice.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Solid defensively. Got into the final third plenty, yet didn’t utilise this enough.
Martin Odegaard – 5
The weak link in this side tonight and hooked off on 68 minutes. Needs to do better as the talisman. His stolen pass led to Garnacho’s goal.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
A busy display in midfield, with an emphasis on getting play forward. Well-taken strike, dropping his shoulder before placing the ball home.
Declan Rice – 8
Corners right on the money to put pressure on the goalkeeper. Kept on top in duels and created multiple chances.
Gyokeres netted his eighth goal of the season as he tapped home from close range to put Arsenal 2-0 in front
Bukayo Saka – 6
An anonymous first half after the hype of a Saka vs Cucurella battle. Only a few touches thereafter.
Viktor Gyokeres – 7
Made some decent runs off the ball. Scored from a horror Sanchez error and provided Zubimendi an assist.
Leandro Trossard – 6
His dribbling skill caused the backline problems. Did well in tracking back, too. Had to be careful after yellow card.
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 6.5
Played a strong line-up and nearly got his just rewards. This tie is not over yet, though.
Subs:
Mikel Merino – 6
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
