Player Ratings Explained: Alonso excels as Chelsea inflict further misery upon Arsenal
A late Marcos Alonso winner secured Chelsea a crucial three points and saw Arsenal lose their opening two league games for the first time since 1992 as the Blues earned a 3-2 win.
CHELSEA - 7.07
Keep Arrizabalaga - 6.62 - Was solid when called upon, though perhaps could have done better for Alex Iwobi’s goal. Nevertheless, made four saves and ensured Chelsea secured all three points.
Marcos Alonso - 8.72 (Man of the Match) - Provided the assist for Pedro’s opener and popped up with the late winner. Was defensively sound, too, as he made the joint-most clearances (7) in the 3-2 win.
David Luiz - 6.53 - Played out from the back well, returning a 91.4% pass success rate, though didn’t make a tackle nor interception in the victory.
Antonio Rudiger - 6.31 - The worse of Chelsea’s two centre-backs, it wasn’t a performance that instilled confidence in Antonio Rudiger in the long run.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7.56 - Provided the assist for Alvaro Morata’s goal - his seven Premier League assists since the start of last season have been for Morata - and returned a 93.9% pass success rate. Three tackles and two interceptions was also a solid return.
Ross Barkley - 6.67 - May not have had a hand in Chelsea’s goals before his withdrawal, but did well enough. Forced Petr Cech into a fine second half stop following a confident run in the Arsenal 18-yard box.
Jorginho - 6.62 - Kept things ticking over in the middle of the park as he returned a 91.9% pass success rate from 99 passes. Perhaps could’ve offered greater protection to the defence, but another solid showing from the Italian.
N’Golo Kante - 7.03 - Like Jorginho, N’Golo Kante gained a 91.9% pass success rate. Could’ve done better with his late header, yet worked well off the ball as he made two tackles and one interception.
Willian - 6.53 - Not the Brazilian’s best performance before being replaced by Eden Hazard on the hour mark. Created just one chance, though managed to peg Arsenal back as he completed two dribbles.
Alvaro Morata - 7.74 - Took his first half goal well and was a thorn in the side of the Arsenal’s defence before coming off, completing one dribble, making one tackle and winning one aerial duel.
Pedro - 8.29 - Set Chelsea on their way to three points with his second goal in as many league matches. Created two key passes and completed two dribbles, though his finishing could’ve been better as he hit the target with just two of his six shots on goal.
Subs
Mateo Kovacic - 6.66 - Ended his debut with a 100% pass success rate from 43 passes.
Eden Hazard - 7.30 - Provided the key assist for Marco Alonso’s winner from three key passes. Also completed two dribbles.
Olivier Giroud - 6.46 - Spurned a late chance that would’ve wrapped up the three points.
ARSENAL - 6.62
Petr Cech - 7.54 - Kept Arsenal in the game as he made eight saves, including fine stops to deny Olivier Giroud and Ross Barkley.
Nacho Monreal - 6.41 - Made one key pass and won three aerial duels to limit any direct threat thrust his way. Other than that, it was a so-so showing.
Sokratis - 6.02 - Looked out of his depth against Chelsea’s attack. The second lowest rated starter in the match at Stamford Bridge.
Shkodran Mustafi - 6.54 - The better of Arsenal’s two centre-backs, as he made seven clearances, two tackles and one interception. Committed three fouls and was booked for his troubles, however.
Hector Bellerin - 6.42 - His one key pass was a clear chance for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that was skied over. Other than that, not a stand out performance from the right-back, who was beaten too easily for Chelsea's third goal.
Granit Xhaka - 5.94 - Withdrawn at half time after another poor showing. Was the second lowest rated player at the interval having been booked for his troubles. Follows up on an underwhelming display against Manchester City.
Matteo Guendouzi - 7.47 - Played a stunning pass for Hector Bellerin in the first half and was one of Arsenal’s better players. Four tackles and four interceptions were both impressive returns for the youngster.
Alex Iwobi - 7.39 - Scored his first away league goal since March 2016 and could have had a second, only to blaze over. A solid showing from the Nigerian, who additionally made two key passes.
Mesut Ozil - 6.14 - Struggled to make an impact in the final third, failing to create a goalscoring chance for teammates, and returned an 83.3% pass success rate from 18 passes. Game seemed to pass him by.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 8.26 - This was more like it. After a underwhelming display against Manchester City, looked far better against Chelsea, scoring one and assisting another. Made more key passes (5) than any other player in the London derby.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6.46 - Missed two first half clear-cut chances, the first miss of which was punished as Chelsea went down the other end and scored. Another sub-par showing from the striker.
Subs
Lucas Torreira - 5.72 - The lowest rated player on the pitch. Looked lost in the middle of the park as he made just one tackle in 45 minutes.
Aaron Ramsey - 6.26 - Came close to scoring late on from distance and showed attacking thrust upon his introduction.
Alexandre Lacazette - 6.06 - Made minimal impact upon his introduction, making one key pass and committing two fouls.
