CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga, 6 - Tried to give Jorginho an option as he drifted away from his goal, only to inadvertently gift the visitors the opener as his compatriot failed to notice his positioning. The Chelsea shot-stopper managed to scramble off the line, but could only claw the ball straight to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang whose pull back was converted by Emile Smith Rowe. EPA
Reece James, 6 – Gave Arsenal defenders plenty to worry about as he frequently drifted forward into space on the right. Involved in a neat passing exchange with Billy Gilmour as the Blues penned their cross-city rivals deep inside their own half, but it came to nothing. He later teed up Callum Hudson-Odoi but the substitute’s finish was poor. AFP
Cesar Azpilicueta, 6 - The Chelsea skipper must be scratching his head at how his side went in a goal down at the break on the back of a first half in which he had nothing to do. Given a tough task in stalking the tireless figure of Smith Rowe and he was withdrawn for the closing stages as the hosts threw everything at their opponents in search of an equaliser. EPA
Thiago Silva, 5 - The former PSG man is one of the best defenders of his generation, so you’d have loved to know his thoughts on Jorginho’s wayward back pass that cost him his latest clean sheet. Nutmegged by the dazzling feet of Smith Rowe who became one of few players to achieve that feat. throughout the veteran centre-back’s career. EPA
Kurt Zouma 5 - The physical defender showed good strength to win the initial header that allowed Christian Pulisic to go for goal as Chelsea went close, but Arsenal survived and his manager was later shaking his head in disgust as Zouma smashed a wayward effort behind from the best part of 40 yards. Almost redeemed himself when another lopping header clipped the bar via the fingertips of Bernd Leno. AFP
Ben Chilwell, 7 – A quiet start from the attacking full-back who started to have more joy in the opposition’s half as the game progressed. Read the pace of the ball brilliantly to rob Bukayo Saka and fizz a dangerous cross into the box but Arsenal escaped, and while he continued to work hard after the break, his teammates couldn’t reward his efforts. Getty
Billy Gilmour, 5 - The 19-year-old has a bright future ahead, but he struggled to stamp his authority on this contest despite his side’s dominance in possession. Replaced by Hudson-Odoi at the break as Thomas Tuchel looked to bolster his attack. AP
Jorginho, 3 – On a night full of stray passes it was Jorginho who almost beat his own goalkeeper, and while Kepa somehow managed to claw the midfielder’s dreadful back pass off the line, his reprieve was short-lived as Aubameyang squared for Smith Rowe to tap in. Squandered a last-gasp chance when Gabriel’s header cannoned off his shin and beyond for a goal-kick and the 29-year-old slammed the ball into the hoardings in frustration. AP
Christian Pulisic, 7 - A lively performance from the agile American who linked up nicely with Mason Mount and Ben Chillwell throughout and looked to skip past challenges at every opportunity. He thought he’d put the Blues back on terms with a glancing header but the forward had strayed into an offside position. Getty
Kai Havertz, 7 – The young midfielder’s inclusion at the heart of attack will have done little for the egos of Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner on the Chelsea bench, but was almost vindicated when he burst through on goal only to fire over the bar. Twice wanted a penalty after taking a tumble but he wasn’t given one and was withdrawn for Giroud for the final 25 minutes. AP
Mason Mount, 7 - Started brightly as an early low cross was convincingly scrambled away to safety just a few moments after he’d produced the first shot of the game from a tight angle. Later lashed a vicious volley goalwards from eight yards, but Rob Holding somehow got in the way of it. Getty
SUBS: Callum Hudson-Odoi, 6 - Introduced at half-time and quickly looked to get involved, but his miscued effort drifted comfortably over after good work from James on the right. He showed plenty of energy in a decent display, but he couldn’t provide enough quality when it mattered. Getty
Hakim Ziyech, N/R - Replaced Cesar Azpilicueta as Chelsea went for broke. He had little impact though with most of the Blues’ attacks coming down the left hand side while Gabriel got in the way of his only effort of note. AP
Olivier Giroud, 7 - Called upon to rescue Chelsea yet again against his old club but he was unable to do so as he swiped at his first opportunity which bobbled behind to safety, before the towering striker smashed an instinctive effort on the rebound against the bar. Reuters
ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 8 – Produced a couple of smart stops to deny the lively Mount, although his defenders came to the rescue when the German goalkeeper could only parry Chilwell’s low cross from the left. Touched Zouma’s header onto the bar with a spectacular dive and fingertip save - and for that alone he deserved his clean sheet - before he clung onto a deep cross late on to cap a fine display. PA
Bukayo Saka, 6 - The England youngster has been electric this season but this was far from his best display. He survived a scare as he looked to shepherd the ball out of play, but the pass forward didn’t have enough on it to reach the safety of the touchline which allowed Chilwell to nip in and deliver a dangerous cross. Getty
Rob Holding, 8 - Preserved his side’s advantage with a stunning block to deny Mount who must have thought he’d put Chelsea back on terms with his cleanly-struck, first-time volley. Holding had other ideas though and was excellent value for his clean sheet despite a few nervy moments. AP
Pablo Mari, 7 - The Spaniard could only watch on in horror as Gabriel’s back pass was intercepted by Kai Havertz who couldn’t believe his luck, and he showed his defensive partner how to impose himself when he snuffed out Mount’s pass intended for Pulisic. Became the second Arsenal defender to survive a collision with Havertz and the second to survive the obligatory VAR review that followed. Getty
Gabriel, 6 - Was thankful to see Havertz squander a golden opportunity having found himself clean through on goal. Could have invited y trouble when he clumsily bundled over Havertz, who was deemed to have already lost control of the ball. Produced a big header late on to repel Ziyech’s goal-bound drive as Arsenal held on. AP
Kieran Tierney, 6 - Found opportunities in opposing territory limited as Mikel Arteta’s men opted for the conservative approach. Did well to recycle an overhit Holding pass only for his own delivery to sail behind for a goal kick, but showed plenty of grit to soldier on after a painful clip from Hudson-Odoi. Reuters
Thomas Partey, 6 - Got away with one when he cheaply gave possession straight to Reece James. Did just about enough to prod the ball behind to safety as Pulisic looked to dance past a sea of challenges but was booked for diving after going to ground too easily under pressure from two Blue shirts. PA
Mohamed Elneny, 8 - Picked the pocket of the calamitous Jorginho to unleash Arsenal on the counter. Later looked to link up with Saka in a dangerous area but his return pass was cut out, before yet another collision with Havertz presented Giroud with a sight of goal but the Frenchman snatched at it. AP
Emile Smith Rowe, 9 - Two goals in as many games now for the midfielder who was grateful if not graceful as he tapped Arsenal ahead with a scuffed effort. The 20-year-old later showed exceptional feet to glide past a sea of blue shirts. Even nutmegged Thiago Silva on his way through. EPA
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 7 - Gabon star knocked the ball back for Smith Rowe who tucked away an absolute sitter. He did little else, but in fairness little else was required, although he was hauled off for the final ten minutes. PA
Martin Odegaard, 6 - The Dane hardly touched the ball in the opening 45 minutes such was Arsenal’s level of cautiousness. Lashed a rare opportunity wide of goal on his favoured left foot as Arsenal started to move through the gears in pursuit of a killer second. EPA
SUBS: Hector Bellerin, 7 - Nearly helped himself to a surprise goal after a lovely one-two with Smith Rowe, but the defender could only fire straight at a grateful Kepa. A solid shift, but one that lasted only 22 minutes as he limped off in the 88th minute. Getty
Calum Chambers, N/R - An unlikely appearance for the defender who replaced injured substitute Bellerin and he helped his side to hold firm as Chelsea lay siege to the visitors’ goal late on. AFP
Alexandre Lacazette, N/R - A cameo for the returning striker who charged forward on the counter before threading a delicate ball into the path of Partey, who hit the deck and was abruptly rewarded with a yellow card for simulation. EPA
