Derby Day Dissected: Chelsea's Mixed Fortunes Against Arsenal Under the Microscope

Well, that was certainly a derby, wasn't it? London derbies against Arsenal always carry a special kind of electricity, and Saturday's clash was absolutely no exception. What a game of two halves! For a while there, it looked like we had it in the bag, comfortably leading by two goals. But then, as often happens in football, things shifted, and Arsenal clawed their way back for a frustrating draw. It leaves you with a really mixed feeling, you know? So, let’s dive into how each Blue fared on what turned out to be a truly eventful afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

First up, our shot-stopper, Robert Sánchez. He gets a 6/10 from me. Look, he made some decent saves, particularly in that first half when Arsenal were pushing. He’s got that presence, no doubt. But then the two goals conceded, especially that first one... it felt a bit soft, didn’t it? Maybe a moment of hesitation, or perhaps just a touch of bad luck. He’s usually more commanding, so it was a slightly off-day for him.

Moving into the defence, Reece James, our captain, put in a solid shift, earning a 7/10. You could see he was trying to drive us forward, those trademark surges down the right flank are always a threat. Defensively, he was mostly sound, although he did get caught out of position once or twice when Arsenal pressed harder in the second half. Still, a good effort from the skipper.

Alongside him, Thiago Silva, bless his heart, put in another masterclass. He really does defy age, doesn’t he? His calming presence, those perfectly timed interceptions, and that uncanny ability to read the game made him stand out. He was, frankly, immense, even when things around him got a bit chaotic. I’d honestly give him an 8/10, a true captain without the armband sometimes.

Then there was Axel Disasi, who gets a 6.5/10. He’s growing into the role, you can see that. He put in some vital blocks and used his physicality well against Arsenal's attackers. However, there were a couple of hairy moments where his positioning wasn't quite perfect, and he sometimes looked a bit rushed when trying to clear his lines. Room for improvement, but definitely not a bad showing.

Rounding out the backline, Levi Colwill was playing at left-back, which isn't his natural position, but he coped pretty well. A 6.5/10 for him. He defended diligently, didn't offer a huge amount going forward, but he stuck to his task. You can tell he's more comfortable centrally, but his versatility is certainly an asset for Poch.

In the engine room, Moises Caicedo was everywhere, as we’ve come to expect. He ran his socks off, breaking up play, and really trying to dictate the tempo. He sometimes felt a bit isolated in the second half, but his energy was undeniable. He deserves a solid 7/10 for his tireless work.

Next to him, Enzo Fernández, who notched that fantastic goal! He gets an 8/10. Not just for the goal, which was brilliantly taken, but for his overall control and passing. He’s such a classy operator, always looking to find those killer passes. He really stepped up in a big game, even if the team's overall result wasn't what we hoped for.

Further forward, Conor Gallagher was his usual industrious self, earning a 7/10. He presses relentlessly, links play, and creates those crucial turnovers. You sometimes wish for a bit more clinicality in the final third, but you can never fault his effort or his desire. He’s the heart and soul of that midfield press.

On the wings, Cole Palmer, what a revelation he's been! He gets an 8.5/10 and, for me, was Man of the Match. That penalty was cool as you like, and his overall play, his vision, his ability to drift into dangerous areas – it’s all just top-notch. He’s become indispensable so quickly, it’s quite incredible. He truly shone, even in the chaos.

Then there’s Mykhailo Mudryk. Oh, Mykhailo. We're all waiting for that breakout game, aren't we? While he showed glimpses of that raw pace, and, let's be fair, he did score a rather fortunate goal, the end product and his decision-making felt a touch hesitant at crucial moments. It’s tough, because you see the potential, but on Saturday, it just didn't quite click for him consistently. A 6/10 feels fair, perhaps a little generous given the stakes, but the goal lifts it.

Leading the line, Raheem Sterling gets a 6.5/10. He worked hard, as he always does, trying to stretch the Arsenal defence. He had a few moments where he looked dangerous, but perhaps didn't quite have the cutting edge or the final pass when it mattered most. He was often isolated up there, to be fair.

Looking at the substitutes, Nicolas Jackson came on and tried to inject some pace, but didn't really get the chances he needed. Malo Gusto also had a brief cameo. They get N/A as their time on the pitch was limited, making a proper rating difficult. Overall, it was a game that promised so much and delivered a rollercoaster of emotions. We showed flashes of brilliance, absolutely, but also those familiar moments of vulnerability. The journey continues!