Viktor Gyokeres has finally arrived, 3/10 has a absolute stinker – Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea

Arsenal narrowly emerged 3-2 winners against Chelsea on Wednesday in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Ben White has been linked away from Arsenal in recent days, but he was on hand to give the Gunners the lead in just the seventh minute.

The right-back capitalised on a wayward moment from Robert Sanchez, who was nowhere as the ball was headed into an empty net.

And just four minutes after the break, the visitors would extend their advantage when Viktor Gyokeres benefited from another mistake from the Chelsea goalkeeper.

Gyokeres has been slammed this season, but there was no way he could miss when the Spaniard spilled White’s cross into his path.

Alejandro Garnacho got one back for the home side in the 57th minute, before Martin Zubimendi restored the Arsenal two-goal lead in the final twenty minutes.

Garnacho would find another goal from a set-piece to make for a nervous final 10 minutes for the Gunners, but they will take a one-goal lead to the Emirates Stadium.

Viktor Gyokeres – Man of the match

Gyokeres’ enjoyed his finest match since his summer arrival at Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

So often this season, Gyokeres has looked in trouble at Arsenal. The striker has seemed to struggle against Premier League centre-backs, often ghosting through games.

But, to what will be the massive relief of Mikel Arteta, the Swede appears to have finally arrived.

He was sensational on Wednesday, constantly running down the Chelsea defenders and harrying Sanchez relentlessly.

His first half had been fairly quiet, although there had been good moments. But after he poked in an easy goal from White’s cross, his confidence grew dramatically.

His excellent flick allowed Zubimendi to add the third, and his brilliant work to hold off the Chelsea defenders led to Mikel Merino’s superb chance, too.

It was a night that will be worth its weight in gold for Gyokeres, who, finally, has a platform to build on.

Leandro Trossard may find his position under threat

Leandro Trossard has so often been the man for the big games since he arrived at Arsenal, but it was not his night on Wednesday.

The winger was unusually quiet, and failed to put a strong ball into the box when he did get the chance.

Trossard was booked before half-time for bringing down Estevao, a moment that limited his defensive assistance and ultimately led to Arteta’s decision to take him off on the 67th minute.

His replacement, Gabriel Martinelli, looked far more direct and, given his hat-trick on Sunday, could be in line to take Trossard’s position against Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea

• Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5
• Ben White – 8
• William Saliba – 6
• Gabriel – 5
• Jurrien Timber – 6
• Martin Zubimendi – 8
• Martin Odegaard – 6
• Declan Rice – 6
• Bukayo Saka – 5
• Viktor Gyokeres – 9
• Leandro Trossard – 3

Substitutes

• Gabriel Martinelli – 6
• Mikel Merino – 6
• Gabriel Jesus – 4
• Kai Havertz – 5

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