A debut goal from Romelu Lukaku and a strike by Reece James helped Chelsea facilitate a 2-0 win over Arsenal and maintain their 100% winning start to the Premier League season.
Energized by a delighted home crowd, the Gunners started the game strongly. They pushed from the front and disrupted Chelsea’s build-up play and Emile Smith Rowe was close to opening the scoring early.
“#CFC plays with Arsenal!” ?
Chelsea doubles their lead when Reece James is in an acre of space in the #AFC penalty area! ? pic.twitter.com/R8pn8rHV24
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2021
After this, however, the Blues took control of Lukaku who marked his second debut with the easiest ending after a good post from James. The away team continued to dominate throughout the first half and took a well-deserved second when James hit home on the back post after a weak Arsenal defense.
Just before the break, the hosts received a call for a penalty that Paul Tierney waved away when Bukayo Saka was apparently dropped in the box by Chelsea’s second goal scorer.
Halfway through the second half, Rob Holding missed a sitter and nodded an indisputable headline wide from a few yards out. However, Chelsea always looked more likely to score with Lukaku and Havertz both being denied by Leno before full time.
The defeat means that Mikel Arteta’s team has not yet taken their first Premier League points of the season. At the same time, Chelsea have now won two on the spin after beating Crystal Palace last.
Here are your player ratings for both teams from Emirates Stadium …
Mari fought badly / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Bernd Leno (GK) – 5/10 – Not much he could do about the goals. Distribution left little to be desired, but he made a world-class save to deny Lukaku near the end.
Cedric Soares (RB) – 4/10 – Played Lukaku on the spot for the goal – it was a bad and costly mistake. Went into things a little after that but never too convincing.
Rob Holding (CB) – 5/10 – Missed a golden opportunity early in the second half. Tried to disturb the Chelsea side with some thought games but it did not work. Lukaku did better than Mari.
Pablo Mari (CB) – 3/10 – Humiliated by Lukaku and let his frustrations take over, he received a stupid yellow card in the first half.
Kieran Tierney (LB) – 4/10 – Far too narrow for the second goal and questions can be asked of him in the first place. Limited in the future.
Lokonga made a promising shift / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – 6/10 – Much better than his debut. His fitting range was on full display and he was always busy.
Granit Xhaka (CM) – 5/10 – A little annoying. Chelsea’s midfielder had no problem playing around him most of the time. Played some nice passes.
Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – 5/10 – Always brave, always wants the ball. The last ball is not always there but he is an exciting talent.
Case started for Arsenal / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 5/10 – Some glimmers of brilliance, including an incredible run in the first half. Decision-making was poor but fixed deliveries were dangerous.
Gabriel Martinelli (ST) – 4/10 – Threatened on a few occasions with a few runs behind but withdrawn for the most part.
Bukayo Saka (LW) – 6/10 – Did well most of the time and created his side’s best openings from open play. Withdrawn after an hour when he returned late to pre-season training.
Pierre -Emerick Aubameyang – 6/10 – His side looked more dangerous after he came on.
Nuno Tavares – 6/10 – Drove forward to try to bother Chelsea.
Folarin Balogun – N / A
Christensen played well / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
Edouard Mendy (GK) – 8/10 – Made a top save from Saka early in the second half. Read balls over the top with certainty.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) – 8/10 – Defended superbly, making an important block to deny Smith Rowe after the break.
Andreas Christensen (CB) – 8/10 – Really good. He was equally composed and authoritative.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7/10 – Not tested too intensively. Probably the least eye-catching Chelsea defender but he did nothing wrong.
James was a prominent artist / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
Reece James (RWB) – 9/10 – Fantastic, even if he got free control on the right side during the first half. Created the first goal and did the second. Could have let in a penalty just before the break.
Jorginho (CM) – 7/10 – His sharp passes to Lukaku with his back to goal were a highlight. He looked comfortable all the time with Arsenal’s midfield which caused him few problems.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) – 7/10 – Make sure N’Golo Kante’s absence does not feel too harsh with a completed display.
Marcos Alonso (LWB) – 8/10 – Saw electric forward once again. Ben Chilwell is facing a tough test to regain his place in the team.
Lukaku got off to a dream start on his Chelsea return / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Mason Mount (RW) – 8/10 – Standard mounted display. He pressed hard and was extremely creative and finished the game with four key passes.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 9/10 – Magic. He bullied Arsenal’s defense mercilessly, brought his teammates into the game and took his goal expertly. Chelsea are a real challenger with him going forward.
Kai Havertz (LW) – 6/10 –The least impressive of the Blues’ attacking triples. He missed two good chances and drove in and out of the game. With fierce competition for seats, he must avoid too many repetitions of this display.
N’Golo Kante – 6/10 – Clean and tidy.
Hakim Ziyech – 6/10 – Some bad final balls after coming on but he came in good area. Nice to see him back after a shoulder injury.
Timo Werner – N / A
