Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Partey excellent and Martinelli lively as Odegaard returns
Gabriel Martinelli’s second half goal was cancelled out by Pedro Neto as Arsenal saw a lead slip away during a tight 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
After an even first half, Mikel Arteta’s side edged in front when the returning Martin Odegaard picked out Martinelli, who produced a smart finish to beat Robert Sanchez at his near post.
But the lead didn’t last long, as the visitors switched off momentarily and allowed Neto to thump home an excellent strike from distance to earn Chelsea a point.
Player ratings
David Raya: Excellent handling all game. Made one excellent stop to deny Cole Palmer early on. 7
Ben White: Unlucky to get booked. Good battle with Pedro Neto. 6
William Saliba: Did well to keep Jackson quiet. 7
Gabriel Magalhaes: Commanding at the back. Relatively untroubled. 7
Jurrien Timber: Kept the dangerous Madueke on the fringes of the contest. Strong defensive display and sent one effort wide from distance. 8
Thomas Partey: Continued his good form. Got to grips with the midfield after Chelsea’s bright start and was involved with the goal. 8
Declan Rice: Back in the side despite his toe injury. Really quick thinking with the free-kick that led to Havertz’s offside goal. 6
Martin Odegaard: Great to see him back in the side. Worked hard, but clearly wasn’t close to full fitness. Still produced a moment of real quality to set up Martinelli’s goal. 7
Gabriel Martinelli: Always looked Arsenal’s main threat in attack. Should have done better with one chance in the first half, but produced a really smart finish to break the deadlock in the second. 7
Kai Havertz: So unlucky not to get the scoresheet when his well taken goal was ruled out for offside. 6
Bukayo Saka: On the fringes of things. Cucurella did well against him. Hobbled off injured. 6
Substitutes
Mikel Merino: Fraction away from getting his foot to Saka’s dangerous ball in. Good cameo. 6
Leandro Trossard: Saw one shot blacked and then got a crucial touch to Saliba’s cross at the death, denying Havertz a tap in. 5
Gabriel Jesus: Replaced the injured Saka late on. 5