Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Gyokeres steps up with three 8/10s in hard-fought win | Football | Sport

Arsenal scored three goals to earn a hard-fought victory over Chelsea and boost their hopes of winning the Carabao Cup. It was a battling display from the north Londoners, who remain in with a chance of lifting their first major trophy in six years. Their quality prevailed at the end of a fascinating match to put them within touching distance of a place in the Wembley final.

Ben White opened the scoring with a guided header inside seven minutes as Chelsea failed to deal with Declan Rice‘s inswinging corner delivery. The hosts responded well to going behind and it was an even contest until the halfway mark. Arsenal doubled their advantage just minutes after the restart, though, with Viktor Gyokeres capitalising on an error from Robert Sanchez to score.

Alejandro Garnacho pulled one back for Chelsea just before the hour mark, taking advantage of a rare defensive lapse from the Gunners to slam the ball home. The visitors soon restored a two-goal cushion, with Martin Zubimendi firing past Sanchez after skipping into space inside the box. However, a second strike from Garnacho gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope in the closing stages.

They went in search of a dramatic equaliser but it never came, leaving Arsenal to celebrate at the final whistle. The result means they will head into next month’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium with a marginal aggregate buffer to their cross-city rivals, as well as the benefit of home advantage.

Express Sport rates and slates the Arsenal players from tonight’s game…

Could possibly have done more to stop Garnacho from scoring his first goal. Made an important save to deny Estevao late on.

Rose highest to nod home the opening goal and played some brilliant passes to get Arsenal moving in the final third.

Did his defensive duties reasonably well and made a nuisance of himself in the box at set-piece situations.

Backed out of a crucial challenge in the build-up to Garnacho’s first goal, which was a moment to forget. Did well apart from that.

Was deployed in an unfamiliar role on the left with Ricciardo Calafiori injured and Myles Lewis-Skelly rested. A solid display.

Relentless pressing helped Arsenal to win the ball in dangerous areas. Heartbeat of the team and was rewarded with a well-taken goal.

Swung in the corner that led to the opening goal. Kept things ticking in the middle of the park, putting his passing range to good use.

Saw plenty of the ball but didn’t have the sort of influence he would have liked. Lost possession in the build-up to Garnacho’s first goal.

Worked hard to create chances on the right flank and was a nuisance throughout. Constantly asked questions of Chelsea’s defenders.

Had a good game and didn’t stop running up and down the left flank. Used the ball well to bring his team-mates into play.

Scored from point-blank range to give himself a much-needed confidence boost. Also got the assist for Zubimendi’s goal.

Looked lively when he came on but wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet just days after bagging a hat-trick at Portsmouth.

Posed an attacking threat in the closing stages. Nearly scored with a bouncing volley that was clawed away from goal.