December 25, 2024

Arsenal player ratings: Raya has night to forget and sparks Ramsdale chants but Trossard inspires fightback vs Chelsea

Raya #Raya

ARSENAL fought back in the second half to stay undefeated in the Premier League despite a below par performance against Chelsea.

The Gunners earned themselves a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge after trailing by two goals in the 48th minute.

Substitute Leandro Trossard's late equaliser saved Arsenal from tasting defeat in the league for the first time this season

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Substitute Leandro Trossard’s late equaliser saved Arsenal from tasting defeat in the league for the first time this seasonCredit: Getty Chelsea threw away their two goal advantage

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Chelsea threw away their two goal advantageCredit: Getty

Declan Rice capitalised on a Robert Sanchez howler to claw one back for Arsenal before Leandro Trossard got on the end of a Bukayo Saka cross in the 84th minute to tie things up.

It wasn’t a vintage performance from Mikel Arteta’s side, but they will head back to North London pleased that they took something away from the game.

Here’s how SunSport rated the Arsenal players’ performances:

DAVID RAYA – 5

Terribly positioned when he was caught out by Mudryk’s cross and very lucky to get away with an awful pass straight to Palmer.

No wonder the Arsenal fans were singing for Aaron Ramsdale.

BEN WHITE – 6

Given the freedom of the right wing by Chelsea but wasn’t able to capitalise on the time and space he had going forward.

Gave the ball away in the build-up to Chelsea’s second goal. Booked.

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David Raya had a night to forget in between the sticks for Arsenal

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David Raya had a night to forget in between the sticks for ArsenalCredit: Getty Mykhaylo Mudryk's header hit the hand of William Saliba, resulting in a penalty for Chelsea

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Mykhaylo Mudryk’s header hit the hand of William Saliba, resulting in a penalty for ChelseaCredit: Getty WILLIAM SALIBA – 6

Could have no argument with the penalty decision as his hand was in an unnaturally high position when he blocked Mudryk’s header.

This was as uncomfortable as he has looked for a long time.

GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 7

Tried to hold things together at the back and was constantly looking to Arteta to ask what was going on. Probably Arsenal’s best player, although that wasn’t saying a lot.

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO – 5

Angered Arteta when he conceded possession in his own area in the first minute and struggled to cope with Sterling’s pace and movement.  No surprise when he was hooked at half-time. Booked.

MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5

His radar was all over the place and he probably gave the ball away more in this match than he had all season.

JORGINHO – 5

Was supposed to give Arsenal more midfield control against his former club but regularly found himself outnumbered and struggled to impose himself on the game.

DECLAN RICE – 6

Pushed so high up the pitch that he was almost playing as a left winger at times but Arsenal needed more from him in the middle of the pitch. Opportunist finish to launch his team’s late fightback.

Declan Rice got his second goal in an Arsenal shirt as he pulled one back for the Gunners

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Declan Rice got his second goal in an Arsenal shirt as he pulled one back for the GunnersCredit: Reuters BUKAYO SAKA – 6

Didn’t look 100 percent and being kicked from pillar to post to Cucurella didn’t exactly help his mood. But you can’t keep a good man down and it was his cross which set up Trossard for Arsenal’s late equaliser.

GABRIEL JESUS – 6

Ran himself into the ground but was unable to impose himself physically and never threatened the Chelsea goal before he was subbed off midway through the second-half.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 5

Too easily rattled by Chelsea’s physical approach and struggled to contain his emotions, which seriously affected his decision making.

SUBS: TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU (for Zinchenko HT) – 6

Brought more defensive solidity down Arsenal’s left flank and was a threatening presence on dead-balls.

EMILE SMITH ROWE (for Jorginho 68 mins) – 6

Chelsea were in complete control when he came on and he brought fresh energy.

EDDIE NKETIAH (for Jesus 68 mins) – 6

Almost conjured up an unlikely late winner when he got ahead of Thiago Silva and hooked his shot just wide. Booked.

Eddie Nketiah came close to snatching all three points for Arsenal

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Eddie Nketiah came close to snatching all three points for ArsenalCredit: Reuters KAI HAVERTZ (for Odegaard 77 mins) – 6

Helped to change the momentum when it looked for all the world as though his former team were heading for three points.

LEANDRO TROSSARD (for Martinelli 77 mins) – 7

Inspired late introduction as he ghosted in at the back post to convert Arsenal’s equaliser.

Subs not used: Karl Hein, Thomas Partey, Jakub Kiwior, Reiss Nelson.

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