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Player Ratings: Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea
Drogba at the double to round off clinical job by Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Nov 29, 2009 12:53:41 PM
ARSENAL
Manuel Almunia - 5 - Another poor afternoon for the Spaniard, who must be under increasing pressure for his position. Could do little about Drogba's fine opener, but Vermaelen's own goal surely could have been avoided. Positioning for Drogba's second perhaps questionable.
Armand Traore - 6 - Arsenal's third-choice left-back initially looked a little uneasy, picking up an early booking after being outsmarted by Ivanovic. But grew as the game went on and generally did well despite the scoreline.
William Gallas - 6.5 - Reactive rather than proactive afternoon from the former Blues defender, as he tried to deal with danger as it arrived rather than preventing it even occurring. Anelka and Drogba pushed him to the limit all afternoon, and as such breakthroughs were always likely.
Thomas Vermaelen - 5.5 - A chastening afternoon for the Belgian, as he looked uncomfortable and unsure against two world-class strikers. Own goal was unfortunate, but symptomatic of a display where he always looked a little on edge. Will not want to deal with Drogba any time soon.
Bacary Sagna - 6 - Perhaps unlucky not to give a penalty away after pulling back Anelka in the box. Was otherwise solid, but caught slightly out of position as both Chelsea's first-half goals came from his side of the pitch.
Alexandre Song - 6.5 - Did well shielding his back four as the main defensive influence in midfield. Struggled to distribute the ball after Chelsea fought their way back into the game. Was surprising sacrificed at half-time as Arsene Wenger pursued a come-back.
Denilson - 5 - Generally poor, at times exposed by the opposition as a boy playing against men. Struggled to cope with Essien as Chelsea flowed forward, and did little to justify his inclusion while on the ball.
Cesc Fabregas - 6 - At times led his team more with words than actions, as he struggled to take control of what was a flooded midfield area. Tried in vein to force a reaction from his side in the second half, but none was really forthcoming.
Andrey Arshavin - 6.5 - Looked the most likely to make something happen for his side. Got into a number of dangerous positions throughout the game, but was understandably frustrated at being unable to create or score a goal from them.
Samir Nasri - 6 - Occasionally lively, the Frenchman faded in the second half as fitness slightly let him down. Provided good options for his side in the first half, but nothing he tried quite came off for the home side.
Eduardo - 5 - Substituted early in the second half after a quiet display. Tried hard to get involved — and had some promising moments early in the game — but generally struggled to lead the line for his side.
Substitutes
Theo Walcott - 6 - Half-time arrival as Wenger looked to kick-start his side. His presence pegged back Ashley Cole, opening up the game considerably, but his final ball was disappointing.
Carlos Vela - 6 - Replaced Eduardo, but struggled to be any more influential than the Croatian striker. Had one rather optimistic claim for a penalty turned down.
Tomas Rosicky - 6.5 - Replaced Nasri midway through the second half, and intelligent play gave Arsenal a few more dimensions while looking for a way back into the game.
CHELSEA
Petr Cech - 6.5 -Will be pleased with his afternoon's work. Coped well when the ball was thrown up in the air, and made a couple of smart saves when called upon.
Ashley Cole - 7.5 - Satisfying performance for the left-back against his former side. Provided great crosses for both Chelsea's opening goals, rather silencing the chorus of boos that emanated from the Emirates whenever he was on the ball. But a number of uncharacteristic errors and an early exit through injury slightly marred his day.
John Terry - 7 - Had a crucial role in his side's opening goal, which was a beautiful team move. Imposing as always in the air, and made a number of important interceptions on the deck to boot. Another clean sheet was deserved reward for solid display.
Ricardo Carvalho - 7 - Was at his best to keep Arsenal at bay throughout. Anticipated threats and roamed across the pitch to cut them out. Little got past him all afternoon, he anchors the Blues defense admirably.
Branislav Ivanovic - 6.5 - An impressive afternoon's work from the Serbian. Put pressure on Traore going forward, and gave little away defensively. Arshavin occasionally got the better of him, but overall the defender just about edged the individual battle.
John Obi Mikel - 5 - Barely did enough to justify his surprise selection. Often looked uncomfortable on the ball, and persistently gave away fouls in midfield when his side really needed to alleviate the pressure.
Michael Essien - 7.5 - Imperious as always. Mikel's presence saw him moved forward from the base of midfield, but still his duties were predominantly defensive. Broke up Arsenal attacks with relish, and rationed his forays forward in disciplined performance. Won free-kick for Drogba's second goal.
Frank Lampard - 5.5 - Perhaps rushed back to first-team action, the midfielder looked understandably rusty after over two weeks out. Struggled really to get involved in the game, and certainly never stamped his influence on it.
Joe Cole - 6 - Unspectacular in attack, with only a handful of noteworthy passes during the game. But ran hard for his team and contributed a lot defensively. Eventually withdrawn for Deco's fresh legs.
Nicolas Anelka - 7.5 - Phenomenal industry against his former club. His runs out wide stretched Arsenal's defense, and he also got in behind them on a number of occasions. Pace and power generally seemed to scare opponents. Didn't get a goal, but team-mates will understand importance of his performance in giving them the win.
Didier Drogba - 8 - Put finishing touch to a beautifully slick team move for opening goal - the defining moment of the match. Influence waxed and waned as the game went on, but his manager won't mind after he put the finishing touches to a fine team performance with a blistering late free-kick.
Substitutes
Deco - 6 - Was a bit more incisive than Joe Cole, benefiting as the game opened up late on. Didn't need to be too adventurous, and wasn't.
Paulo Ferreira - 7 - Replaced the injured Ashley Cole, and was given the unenviable task of dealing with a fresh Walcott. Did so admirably, however.
Florent Malouda - N/A - Late replacement for Drogba. Easy five minutes for the midfielder.
Alex Dimond, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
Manuel Almunia - 5 - Another poor afternoon for the Spaniard, who must be under increasing pressure for his position. Could do little about Drogba's fine opener, but Vermaelen's own goal surely could have been avoided. Positioning for Drogba's second perhaps questionable.
Armand Traore - 6 - Arsenal's third-choice left-back initially looked a little uneasy, picking up an early booking after being outsmarted by Ivanovic. But grew as the game went on and generally did well despite the scoreline.
William Gallas - 6.5 - Reactive rather than proactive afternoon from the former Blues defender, as he tried to deal with danger as it arrived rather than preventing it even occurring. Anelka and Drogba pushed him to the limit all afternoon, and as such breakthroughs were always likely.
Thomas Vermaelen - 5.5 - A chastening afternoon for the Belgian, as he looked uncomfortable and unsure against two world-class strikers. Own goal was unfortunate, but symptomatic of a display where he always looked a little on edge. Will not want to deal with Drogba any time soon.
Bacary Sagna - 6 - Perhaps unlucky not to give a penalty away after pulling back Anelka in the box. Was otherwise solid, but caught slightly out of position as both Chelsea's first-half goals came from his side of the pitch.
Alexandre Song - 6.5 - Did well shielding his back four as the main defensive influence in midfield. Struggled to distribute the ball after Chelsea fought their way back into the game. Was surprising sacrificed at half-time as Arsene Wenger pursued a come-back.
Denilson - 5 - Generally poor, at times exposed by the opposition as a boy playing against men. Struggled to cope with Essien as Chelsea flowed forward, and did little to justify his inclusion while on the ball.
Cesc Fabregas - 6 - At times led his team more with words than actions, as he struggled to take control of what was a flooded midfield area. Tried in vein to force a reaction from his side in the second half, but none was really forthcoming.
Andrey Arshavin - 6.5 - Looked the most likely to make something happen for his side. Got into a number of dangerous positions throughout the game, but was understandably frustrated at being unable to create or score a goal from them.
Samir Nasri - 6 - Occasionally lively, the Frenchman faded in the second half as fitness slightly let him down. Provided good options for his side in the first half, but nothing he tried quite came off for the home side.
Eduardo - 5 - Substituted early in the second half after a quiet display. Tried hard to get involved — and had some promising moments early in the game — but generally struggled to lead the line for his side.
Substitutes
Theo Walcott - 6 - Half-time arrival as Wenger looked to kick-start his side. His presence pegged back Ashley Cole, opening up the game considerably, but his final ball was disappointing.
Carlos Vela - 6 - Replaced Eduardo, but struggled to be any more influential than the Croatian striker. Had one rather optimistic claim for a penalty turned down.
Tomas Rosicky - 6.5 - Replaced Nasri midway through the second half, and intelligent play gave Arsenal a few more dimensions while looking for a way back into the game.
CHELSEA
Petr Cech - 6.5 -Will be pleased with his afternoon's work. Coped well when the ball was thrown up in the air, and made a couple of smart saves when called upon.
Ashley Cole - 7.5 - Satisfying performance for the left-back against his former side. Provided great crosses for both Chelsea's opening goals, rather silencing the chorus of boos that emanated from the Emirates whenever he was on the ball. But a number of uncharacteristic errors and an early exit through injury slightly marred his day.
John Terry - 7 - Had a crucial role in his side's opening goal, which was a beautiful team move. Imposing as always in the air, and made a number of important interceptions on the deck to boot. Another clean sheet was deserved reward for solid display.
Ricardo Carvalho - 7 - Was at his best to keep Arsenal at bay throughout. Anticipated threats and roamed across the pitch to cut them out. Little got past him all afternoon, he anchors the Blues defense admirably.
Branislav Ivanovic - 6.5 - An impressive afternoon's work from the Serbian. Put pressure on Traore going forward, and gave little away defensively. Arshavin occasionally got the better of him, but overall the defender just about edged the individual battle.
John Obi Mikel - 5 - Barely did enough to justify his surprise selection. Often looked uncomfortable on the ball, and persistently gave away fouls in midfield when his side really needed to alleviate the pressure.
Michael Essien - 7.5 - Imperious as always. Mikel's presence saw him moved forward from the base of midfield, but still his duties were predominantly defensive. Broke up Arsenal attacks with relish, and rationed his forays forward in disciplined performance. Won free-kick for Drogba's second goal.
Frank Lampard - 5.5 - Perhaps rushed back to first-team action, the midfielder looked understandably rusty after over two weeks out. Struggled really to get involved in the game, and certainly never stamped his influence on it.
Joe Cole - 6 - Unspectacular in attack, with only a handful of noteworthy passes during the game. But ran hard for his team and contributed a lot defensively. Eventually withdrawn for Deco's fresh legs.
Nicolas Anelka - 7.5 - Phenomenal industry against his former club. His runs out wide stretched Arsenal's defense, and he also got in behind them on a number of occasions. Pace and power generally seemed to scare opponents. Didn't get a goal, but team-mates will understand importance of his performance in giving them the win.
Didier Drogba - 8 - Put finishing touch to a beautifully slick team move for opening goal - the defining moment of the match. Influence waxed and waned as the game went on, but his manager won't mind after he put the finishing touches to a fine team performance with a blistering late free-kick.
Substitutes
Deco - 6 - Was a bit more incisive than Joe Cole, benefiting as the game opened up late on. Didn't need to be too adventurous, and wasn't.
Paulo Ferreira - 7 - Replaced the injured Ashley Cole, and was given the unenviable task of dealing with a fresh Walcott. Did so admirably, however.
Florent Malouda - N/A - Late replacement for Drogba. Easy five minutes for the midfielder.
Alex Dimond, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
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