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Premier League: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: Reaction and ratings after the game

Richa Pandey
16 Mar, 2025

In a tightly contested London derby, Arsenal edged out Chelsea with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium, securing three crucial points in their Premier League campaign. The match, played on a crisp evening in North London, was a testament to the intensity and drama that the Premier League is renowned for. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continued their impressive form this season, while Chelsea, under Mauricio Pochettino, were left ruing missed opportunities and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.

Match Summary

The only goal of the game came in the 63rd minute, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Arsenal’s talismanic forward, Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian winger, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Martin Ødegaard, before calmly slotting past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. The goal sent the Emirates into raptures and proved to be the decisive moment in a game that was otherwise evenly contested.

Chelsea had their chances, particularly in the first half, with Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer both coming close to breaking the deadlock. However, Arsenal’s defense, marshaled by the ever-reliable William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, held firm. The Gunners’ goalkeeper, David Raya, also played a crucial role, making a couple of key saves to preserve his clean sheet.

Post-Match Reaction

**Mikel Arteta (Arsenal Manager):**

Arteta was understandably delighted with his team’s performance, particularly their resilience and ability to grind out a result against a strong Chelsea side. Speaking to the press after the match, he said, “It’s a massive win for us. Chelsea are a top team, and we knew it was going to be a tough game. The players showed great character and discipline, and I’m really proud of the way we managed the game.”

Arteta also singled out Gabriel Martinelli for praise, highlighting the winger’s growing influence in the team. “Gabriel is a special player. He’s got that ability to make something happen out of nothing, and today he showed why he’s so important to us.”

**Mauricio Pochettino (Chelsea Manager):**

Pochettino, on the other hand, was left frustrated by his team’s inability to convert their chances. “We had our moments, especially in the first half, but we didn’t take them. In games like this, you have to be clinical, and unfortunately, we weren’t,” he said.

The Chelsea boss also acknowledged the quality of Arsenal’s defense but felt his team could have done more to test them. “Arsenal are a very well-organized team, but I think we could have been more aggressive in the final third. We need to learn from this and move forward.”

### Player Ratings

**Arsenal:**

1. **David Raya (GK) – 8/10:** Made several crucial saves, including a stunning stop to deny Raheem Sterling in the first half. His distribution was also excellent, helping Arsenal build from the back.

2. **Ben White (RB) – 7/10:** Solid defensively and provided good support going forward. Kept Chelsea’s left flank relatively quiet.

3. **William Saliba (CB) – 9/10:** A rock at the back. Saliba was imperious in defense, winning almost every duel and reading the game brilliantly.

4. **Gabriel Magalhães (CB) – 8/10:** Partnered Saliba superbly and made several important interceptions. His physical presence was key in dealing with Chelsea’s attackers.

5. **Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 7/10:** Played a more inverted role, drifting into midfield to help Arsenal control possession. Defensively sound, though he was occasionally tested by Chelsea’s pace.

6. **Declan Rice (CM) – 8/10:** A dominant presence in midfield. Rice broke up play effectively and distributed the ball well. His energy and work rate were crucial.

7. **Martin Ødegaard (CM) – 8/10:** The captain was at his creative best, pulling the strings in midfield and providing the assist for Martinelli’s goal. His vision and passing were top-notch.

8. **Kai Havertz (CM) – 7/10:** Worked hard in midfield and linked up well with the attack. His movement caused Chelsea problems, though he could have been more decisive in front of goal.

9. **Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7/10:** A constant threat down the right flank. Saka’s dribbling and crossing kept Chelsea’s defense on their toes, though he was well-marshaled at times.

10. **Gabriel Jesus (ST) – 7/10:** Led the line well and dropped deep to link play. His movement created space for Martinelli and Saka, though he didn’t have many clear chances.

11. **Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 9/10:** The match-winner. Martinelli’s pace and directness caused Chelsea’s defense all sorts of problems, and he took his goal superbly.

**Substitutes:**

- **Leandro Trossard (for Martinelli, 75’) – 6/10:** Added fresh legs and energy but didn’t have much impact.

- **Jorginho (for Havertz, 80’) – 6/10:** Helped Arsenal see out the game with his composure in midfield.

- **Takehiro Tomiyasu (for Zinchenko, 85’) – N/A:** Brought on to shore up the defense.

**Chelsea:**

1. **Robert Sánchez (GK) – 6/10:** Couldn’t do much about the goal and made a couple of decent saves. His distribution was solid.

2. **Reece James (RB) – 7/10:** A constant threat down the right flank with his overlapping runs and crosses. Defensively sound as well.

3. **Thiago Silva (CB) – 7/10:** The veteran defender was composed and made several important clearances. However, he was caught out of position for the goal.

4. **Axel Disasi (CB) – 6/10:** Struggled at times against Arsenal’s pace and movement. Made a few crucial blocks but looked vulnerable.

5. **Marc Cucurella (LB) – 5/10:** Had a tough time dealing with Saka and was caught out of position on a few occasions. Subbed off in the second half.

6. **Moises Caicedo (CM) – 6/10:** Worked hard in midfield but was often overrun by Arsenal’s dynamic midfield trio. His passing was tidy but lacked penetration.

7. **Enzo Fernández (CM) – 7/10:** Showed glimpses of his quality with some excellent passes and touches. However, he was unable to dictate the game as he would have liked.

8. **Conor Gallagher (CM) – 6/10:** Full of energy and pressed well, but his final ball let him down at times. Subbed off in the second half.

9. **Raheem Sterling (RW) – 6/10:** Had a couple of good chances but failed to convert. His pace caused problems, but he lacked end product.

10. **Cole Palmer (ST) – 6/10:** Played in a false nine role and showed some nice touches, but he was largely isolated and struggled to make an impact.

11. **Mykhailo Mudryk (LW) – 5/10:** A quiet game for the Ukrainian winger. He was well-marshaled by Arsenal’s defense and failed to make an impact.

**Substitutes:**

- **Noni Madueke (for Mudryk, 60’) – 6/10:** Added some directness but couldn’t change the game.

- **Nicolas Jackson (for Gallagher, 70’) – 6/10:** Brought on to add more attacking threat but was largely ineffective.

- **Levi Colwill (for Cucurella, 70’) – 6/10:** Shored up the defense but couldn’t help Chelsea find an equalizer.

Key Takeaways

- **Arsenal’s Defense Shines:** Once again, Arsenal’s defensive unit proved why they are one of the best in the league. Saliba and Gabriel were imperious, and the team as a whole defended with discipline and organization.

- **Chelsea’s Lack of Cutting Edge:** Despite creating chances, Chelsea lacked the clinical edge needed to win games at this level. Pochettino will need to address this issue if they are to climb the table.

- **Martinelli’s Star Continues to Rise:** The Brazilian winger has been in scintillating form this season, and his match-winning performance against Chelsea further cements his status as one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents.

Conclusion

Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea was a testament to their growing maturity and ability to win tight games. For Chelsea, it was another frustrating result in what has been a challenging season. As the Premier League season progresses, Arsenal will look to build on this win and maintain their title challenge, while Chelsea will need to regroup and find a way to turn their potential into results.