Arsenal player ratings: Declan Rice a monster in midfield with Martin Odegaard magic again

Monstrous: Declan Rice ran the midfield for Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Monstrous: Declan Rice ran the midfield for Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal went three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a thumping 5-0 win over Chelsea.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring early in the first-half and Chelsea got to the break only 1-0 down.

But Arsenal turned it on in the second-half and cruised to victory thanks to braces from Ben White and Kai Havertz.

The win means Arsenal are three points clear of Liverpool, who play Everton on Wednesday, and four of Manchester City.

Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 6

Another clean sheet for the Spaniard but this was an easy one. Chelsea had one shot on target all night.

Ben White 9

Made a great block in the first-half to deny Marc Cucurella. Got the vital second goal with a poacher’s finish from a corner and then added a second with a volley.

Ben White enjoyed a sensational night as he scored twice from right-back (REUTERS)
Ben White enjoyed a sensational night as he scored twice from right-back (REUTERS)

William Saliba 7

A little loose with his passing, especially in the first-half, but overall he was solid. Kept Nicolas Jackson quiet.

Gabriel 7

A fairly comfortable evening’s work, other than Chelsea’s threat on the counter attack. Helped start the attack for the third goal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu 7

Back in the side after recovering from a knock. A solid performance and looks like Arsenal’s best left-back right now.

Martin Odegaard 9

Some of his passing was on another level, especially his assist for Arsenal’s third. Cut Chelsea open at will. A magician on the ball.

Thomas Partey 8

Put in an impressive performance at the base of midfield. Broke up play well and good in possession. Could keep his place for the north London derby.

Declan Rice 9 | Star player

Seemed to relished the freedom given to him by Partey playing in a deeper role and was everywhere. A monster in midfield.

Bukayo Saka 8

Had a great battle with Cucurella and got the better of him. Cut inside and skipped past him to set-up Arsenal’s fourth goal.

Kai Havertz 9

Lots of lovely link-up play in the first-half, but poor in front of goal. A different man after the break and scored twice, which must have been sweet against his old club.

Leandro Trossard 8

Continued his fine form by opening the scoring here. Only Bukayo Saka has scored more goals for Arsenal this season.

Leandro Trossard got Arsenal up and running inside five minutes (REUTERS)
Leandro Trossard got Arsenal up and running inside five minutes (REUTERS)

Substitutions

Gabriel Jesus (Havertz 72’) 6

Played an outrageous pass to Rice, but the midfielder, who was offside, hit the post.

Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard 72’) 6

Flashed an effort just wide of the post late on and missed a sitter late on.

Jorginho (Partey 72’) 6

A stroll for the final 20 minutes against his old club, who were well beaten by then.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Tomiyasu 73’) N/A

Fabio Vieira (Saka 82’) N/A

Subs not used: Ramsdale, Kiwior, Smith Rowe, Nketiah