Chelsea

Chelsea player ratings vs Arsenal: Anonymous Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suffers nightmare Emirates return

Dan Bernstein
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Chelsea Arsenal 2022-23
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The Blues showed little pride in their 3-1 defeat in north London, which marked Frank Lampard's sixth loss in as many games in charge

Chelsea dusted off Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for his first Premier League start since November 6 against his former club Arsenal on Tuesday, but the striker didn't touch the ball in the opposition half until the 42nd minute at the Emirates Stadium as his struggles headlined a 3-1 defeat for the Blues.

Aubameyang tallied just nine total touches on his return to north London before being hooked at half-time, while behind him, his Blues team-mates were in a similar state of disrepair as Arsenal raced to a three-goal lead in the first half thanks to two goals from Martin Odegaard and one from Gabriel Jesus.

Raheem Sterling didn't track back, the midfield failed to break up the Gunners' possessional dominance and defenders made individual errors.

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Noni Madueke did grab a goal in the 65th minute, latching on to a nice Mateo Kovacic pass, but little else went according to plan, and it's now likely that the club will finish in the bottom half of the Premier League for the first time since 1995-96.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Emirates...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10):

    Was never going to keep out the three first-half goals. Made nice saves from Xhaka and Saka in the second half.

    Cesar Azpilicueta (3/10):

    Horrible on Arsenal's third goal, completely misjudging a cross to enable Jesus to take the ball down. Nowhere to be found on several attacks down his side. He's lost another step.

    Wesley Fofana (5/10):

    Not a primary culprit for the defeat, but not exactly an inspirational figure either.

    Thiago Silva (5/10):

    Decent, but you hold your breath every time he goes into a challenge, worried that his ageing ligaments won't be able to handle the stress. Required medical attention after nicely stepping in front of Saka in the early going but managed to carry on.

    Ben Chilwell (5/10):

    Broke forward to offer some rare attacking thrust for his pushed-back team, on one occasion breaking past Saka to unleash a threatening strike that was saved by Ramsdale. Less good defensively.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Enzo Fernandez (4/10):

    Let Xhaka's tame assist to Odegaard on Arsenal's first trickle through his legs. Part of woeful midfield trio that let Arsenal walk all over them.

    N'Golo Kante (4/10):

    Once the feared destroyer of enemy attacks, it's his own career showing cracks. Missed most of the season because of injury and is struggling to save his squad from weekly self-sabotage - though he's not the main culprit.

    Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

    Not enough Chelsea possession for him in the first half to work on the ball and show his creative strengths. Needs to mark better in his own box. Did play a beautiful assist over the top to Madueke in the second half.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Noni Madueke (6/10):

    Flashed his dynamic dribbling ability and finished off his big chance from the Kovacic pass in the second half. Too much hesitance tracking back when out-of-sorts Azpilicueta needed to be saved.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (3/10):

    Shouldn't have started. Shouldn't have even made the squad. Shouldn't even be at the club. A miserable skeleton of a once-great player seemingly trotted out for the sake of being jeered by Gunners fans.

    Raheem Sterling (4/10):

    Shambolic defending on Odegaard's second goal, letting the Norwegian playmaker trot right past him. Has never fit in at Chelsea.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Kai Havertz (5/10):

    Entered for Aubameyang at half-time. Better than the man he replaced, but that was a low bar to clear.

    Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10):

    Booed by Arsenal fans when introduced, having snubbed the Gunners in January.

    Conor Gallagher (5/10):

    Took a boot to his leg and went down in pain shortly after coming on. Little else happened involving him.

    Hakim Ziyech (5/10):

    On for the last 10 minutes but little room to make an impression. Potentially his last game with the Blues.

    Trevoh Chalobah (N/A):

    Late substitution.

    Frank Lampard (3/10):

    He's ensuring he never gets a high-profile job again.