helsea were blown away by title contenders Arsenal after a dismal first half at the Emirates Stadium.
Martin Odegaard scored two similar goals after Granit Xhaka cutbacks to leave the Blues shellshocked before Gabriel Jesus added a third.
Noni Madueke got his first Chelsea goal in the second half as his side improved following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s substitution for Kai Havertz.
It was too little, too late and caretaker manager Frank Lampard has now lost all six of his matches upon returning to west London.
Nizaar Kinsella was at the Emirates watching the latest episode in Chelsea’s implosion.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
Not at fault for any of the goals. A bystander and totally exposed. He was then forced into numerous excellent saves in the second half.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 2
The captain looked unfit and was unable to deal with the clever rotation of positions between Leandro Trossard, Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Wesley Fofana – 2
Overzealous in his tackling and gave away too many free-kicks. He looked angry when taken off late for Trevoh Chalobah.
Thiago Silva – 3
A rare moment in the legendary defender’s career where he looked lost, angry and like he had enough. He did clear one Gabriel header off the line, though.
Ben Chilwell – 3
Impressively produced a dangerous shot on target in a first half where Chelsea showed absolutely no quality.
N’Golo Kante – 3
Offered almost no protection to Azpilicueta. Looked like a shell of his glorious former self.
Enzo Fernandez – 2
Offered absolutely no protection in front of the back four, mainly at fault for the opening goal and outperformed by Jorginho, the man he replaced.
Mateo Kovacic – 3
Similarly terrible in front of his defence, he looks woefully unfit. Kovacic produced one moment of magic, however, curling a ball in behind Arsenal’s defence to set up Chelsea’s goal.
Noni Madueke – 5
Got his first Chelsea goal after a baptism of fire in the first half. He had been a defensive liability but showed his worth when he could link up with Kai Havertz.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 1
Once again, the Chelsea striker barely touched the ball against his former employers. Of course, he hadn’t started since November but he badly struggled and made only nine touches of the ball.
Raheem Sterling – 4
Initially proved Chelsea’s biggest threat and had the beating of Ben White. Like the others, he was defensively poor but did, at least, compete.
Substitutes
Kai Havertz – 6
Havertz produced his usual hard-working performance that gave his side a foothold in the match.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 6
Booed onto the pitch at the Emirates but offered some bright moments dribbling at the backline.
Conor Gallagher – 4
He showed his usual fighting spirit once introduced.
Hakim Ziyech – N/A
Trevoh Chalobah – N/A
Unused substitutes: Mendy, Badiashile, Loftus-Cheek, Joao Felix.
