It’s easy to criticise when we don’t get the win, but we need to be sharper and never allow teams to shut us out, anyway, lets look at how the individuals did yesterday.
Courtois – For me he was probably the only player who started that actually turned up. Was his usual dominating presence at set pieces, and made 2 critical saves in the second half to keep Chelsea in the game. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal was that good, there was very little he could do about it. 7
Ivanovic – Always pushing us forward, but really, really, REALLY needs to do something about his crossing. Too many times he didnt even get the cross in – it just hot the defender for a throw in. 5
Cahill – Both centre backs shut Theo out of the game for the majority of his time on the field, but probably gave too much space for Walcott to pick out the winning pass. Had a hard time dealing with Giroud when he came on. 5
Terry – An ‘alright’ performance, gave us stability and managed to keep the team fighting until the very last minute. Also struggling with the physicality Giroud brought to the game when he came on. 6
Azpilicueta – Really struggled to keep pace with Walcott and Chamberlain which was surprising, but did a good job for the majority of the game – failed to stop Chamberlin from taking a clean shot at goal. Booked. 5
Matic – A decent spirited performance from the Serb, couple of misplaced passes but was hardly the worst on the pitch. 6
Fabregas – Was wasted further up the pitch as didn’t have enough time on the ball, was much better from deeper – made the vital passes it is just unfortunate we wasted the chances he created. 6
Ramires – Was a real threat in the first half and had several chances but was unable to put them away. 6
Willian – Worked his socks off all day, tested Monreal to the limit but really needs to work on the final product. 7
Hazard – A real quiet day for Hazard, should ideally of been dispatched in the centre, when Hazard doesn’t tick the team doesn’t either. Missed an incredible opportunity in the second half, looked like he took a touch too many – but don’t worry he will be burying them when it matters.
Remy – Really struggled to hold the line and hold the ball up for his teammates, was offside countless times – a real waste of a player in the first half. 4
Subs
Falcao – The only change at half time that was desperately needed, and he seemed to inject some urgency into our game – should have started. Not sure he looks 100% comfortable in this league, or with his injury yet. 6
Oscar – Oscar was probably the biggest difference from our woeful first half to our less woeful second half, seemed to make all the right decisions just a few people weren’t always on the same page. 7
Zouma – I really think Zoum Zoum’s should have started alongside Terry, he is bigger and quicker than Cahill and a massive arial threat. The fact he had to play left back exposes the size of our squad. 6
Moses – Thrown on as a last roll of the dice to get everyone forward, the problem was that Arsenal were in time wasting mode. Didn’t really make any sort of impact. 5
