Chelsea player ratings: Sanchez at shot-stopping best despite loss but Nkunku and Sancho hardly deserving of game-time

CHELSEA missed the chance to pull clear in the race for Champions League football as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game as the Blues produced a limp performance at the Emirates.

AFP

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea produced a limp performance as they lost 1-0 to Arsenal[/caption]

Getty

The Blues struggled to create chances at the Emirates[/caption]

Chelsea were without several key men including Cole Palmer.

And they struggled to create chances against Arsenal with a threadbare subs bench to boot.

But who was Chelsea’s best player in north London?

And did anyone have a game to forget?

Here, SunSport’s Andy Dillon delivers his Chelsea player ratings…

Robert Sanchez – 7

Back in goal as the in-out, twists and turns of the Chelsea keepers this season rolls on.

Within ten minutes he had passed the ball straight to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and gave his side a massive scare.

Then he made a spectacular one-handed save off team-mate Levi Colwill. 

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

Beaten within 20 minutes by a surprise header from a corner.

Great instinctive second half save from Mikel Merino again with one hand and was Chelsea’s best player. 

Boss Enzo Maresca said he had given Sanchez time out recently to rest his head.

None of this will have helped stressed levels.

Wesley Fofana – 5

Getting back up to speed after a lengthy injury lay off. Slotting in at right back as part of the three man defence. 

Was so lucky to get away without any punishment when he put his boot down hard on the back of Declan Rice’s leg.

The Arsenal midfielder even got his backside out to show ref Chris Kavanagh the rapidly appearing red raw studs marks.

And again when he went in late on Leandro Trossard. Cautioned for show of petulance throwing a ball onto the pitch.

Benoit Badiashile – 5

Seemed off the pace and wasteful with his passing and shaky under pressure.

Coming back from a long injury lay off into a team which while winning has looked unconvincing. 

Maybe using Tosin with his more experienced brain might have been a better choice for a tough away London derby?

Or even switching Colwill to the left hand centre back role might have made life a little more comfortable for Chelsea?

Did make one or two decent tackles though in the second half.

Levi Colwill – 5

Almost scored an own goal though it would have been a harsh one on him.

Then maybe through frustration followed through on Trossard and got a booking. 

Possibly as a final warning from the ref that he wouldn’t take much more rough stuff from Chelsea who had been quite physical. 

Does look more at ease on the left side of defence than in the middle where he was here.

Getty

Levi Colwill struggled at the back[/caption]

Marc Cucurella – 6

Booed by the Arsenal fans at every touch.

Maybe a back handed compliment as he can be quite dangerous on the front foot.

Has been a prolific scorer for Chelsea with the inverted full back system but didn’t get much chance to go forwards as he often does with positive effect. 

Can go to ground easily but was clearly cynically fouled by Odegaard in the second half as the needle cranked up between these two teams.

Reece James – 6

Drafted into midfield as part of the reshuffle in Cole Palmer’s absence.

Played there recently against Copenhagen in the Conference League and scored a cracker. 

Played some neat passes forwards and is clearly a class player and was called up to the England squad on Friday as a sign of that despite being carefully managed by Chelsea following a run of hamstring injuries.

Moises Caicedo – 6

Is becoming a key figure at the heart of the Chelsea team.

Is hard to get past but also made a couple of stray passes in a first half particularly in which the visitors did not seem to have their heads in the game.

With the £115m price tag though he needs to be taking control of games in the Rice does for Arsenal at times.

Reuters

Moises Caicedo was involved from the start[/caption]

Jadon Sancho – 5

Has not made the impact he would have hoped for after being given a chance to rejuvenate his career on loan from Manchester United.

There was even talk of an England recall during some of his better spells.

But he is not exactly playing his way into Chelsea begging their rivals to sell him permanently to them in the summer.

Enzo Fernandez – 6

Showed fight at least but in a weird way with silly spats, notably after a clash with Gabriel which left the Arsenal centre back on the deck.

He stood over the Brazilian and clearly mouthed something uncomplimentary.

It riled up Arsenal and their fans. 

At least that is the spirit of the old Chelsea though which the fans admire.

Christopher Nkunku – 5

Anonymous for the first half.

It is hard to see where this £50 million player fits in.

He has complained of lack of game time but when given some has not made significant impact to make his manager rethink. 

Did not last the 90 minutes and cannot say he made much of an impression.

Reuters

Christopher Nkunku made little impact on the game[/caption]

Pedro Neto – 5

ALWAYS up against it as a so-called ‘false nine’.

Neither Arsenal nor Chelsea have fit, recognised strikers at the moment and it shows on both sides. 

Too often outmuscled by Arsenal’s more imposing defensive players.

Although he is playing out of position.

Must be said that he spends a lot of time complaining and it’s a waste of precious energy.

Subs

Tyrique George (for Sancho 76 mins) – 6

Given a big task to drive at Arsenal when the game was already up.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (for Nkunku 76 mins) – 6

Tried to get a few runs going but despite scoring in midweek was kept on the bench.

Romeo Lavia (for James 82 mins) – N/A

His return from injury will be a big boost for the Blues.

But he just has to remain fit.

Tosin Adarabioyo (for Badiashile 86 mins) – N/A

Malo Gusto (for Fofana 86 mins) – N/A