PLAYER RATINGS: Four Chelsea stars split the WORST score - so who was 'soft' and whose performance was 'strange' as Arsenal tore into them?

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Arsenal put on one of their best showings of the season with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday night. 

Kai Havertz haunted his former side by scoring a brace, with Ben White also bagging a pair of goals, while Leandro Trossard opened the scoring.

While the title race is still in Manchester City's hands, Mikel Arteta's side sent a message to Pep Guardiola's men and Liverpool with an impressive showing.

Arsenal have a three point lead over Liverpool who play Everton tomorrow, and four over Man City who have two games in hand. 

Mail Sport's Isaan Khan rates how Arsenal's players performed, while Kieran Gill gives his verdict on the disappointing Blues.  

Arsenal produced a stunning performance to go three points clear with a 5-0 win over Chelsea

Arsenal (4-3-3)

David Raya: 7

A presence in goal. Another clean-sheet.

Ben White: 7.5

Capped off a good display with a neat finish to put his side 2-0 up and unlock the match.

Ben White bagged himself a brace on an excellent night for the Arsenal defender

William Saliba: 7

Physically battled well with the Chelsea frontline when they got in attacking positions.

Gabriel: 7

Nearly had own goal when the ball deflected off his leg and onto a post in the first half. Solid display.

Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7

Was clattered by Nicolas Jackson after nine minutes which should have been a red card. Did well to stay on the pitch and continue.

Martin Odegaard: 8

Provided two assists and was class personified. A constant threat with his through balls.

Thomas Partey: 8.5

One of the best players on the pitch. Made it look easy in the middle. He will be needed for this final run-in of games.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was class personified in an excellent display for the Gunners

Thomas Partey was one of the best players on the pitch and made it look easy in midfield

Declan Rice: 8

A nice assist for Leandro Trossard’s opener. Got in advanced positions, with Partey giving him that cover.

Bukayo Saka: 7

Grew as the game went on. Helped by his fellow attackers being on their A-game.

Kai Havertz: 8

Frustrated the crowd with a couple of early missed chances but hung in there and got two goals. That’s resilience.

Leandro Trossard: 7.5

Set the tone with his early strike, and caused opposition big issues with cutting in from the left flank.

Manager - Mikel Arteta: 7

Stuck by his tactics despite prolificacy in first half. It worked a treat.

Leandro Trossard set the tone with the opening goal just four minutes into the contest

Kai Havertz initially frustrated the fans but turned it around with a brace against his old side

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) 

Djordje Petrovic: 4.5

Beaten too easily at his near post in the early exchanges but then made a series of saves which kept Chelsea in this clash… until Arsenal took complete control. Often left with no chance.

Alfie Gilchrist: 5

One of Chelsea’s own making his first Premier League start. Had his work cut out with Leandro Trossard, who tormented him at times. Excellent potential, but not his night.

Axel Disasi: 3.5

Defensively, Chelsea were a mess. They folded like a pack of cards but in truth, I’m not sure who to nominate as the joker. Disasi had his goalkeeper to thank for denying him an own goal.

Benoit Badiashile: 3.5

Kai Havertz’s bursts in behind him were forever frightening for Badiashile. Did not have the pace to catch him when he made it 3-0. Soft when Havertz then made it 4-0.

Marc Cucurella: 4

Locked in a constant battle with Bukayo Saka which was tiring to watch, let alone compete in. Being attracted towards the ball twice allowed Ben White to score unmarked twice.

Chelsea were defensively a mess with Axel Disasi (right) among a backline that folded like a pack of cards

Moises Caicedo: 3.5

Another one of Chelsea’s signings who was previously admired by Arsenal but this was not a midfield battle won by the visitors. Substandard showing from the £115million man.

Enzo Fernandez: 3.5

Fired narrowly wide after being teed up by Marc Cucurella. What could have been. But what was he doing when Kai Havertz made it 4-0? Strange.

The former British record signing Enzo Fernandez (right) and the current record signing Moises Caicedo both score 3.5/10 after a horrible midfield display from the pair

Noni Madueke: 4

Some good running down the right when Chelsea tried to get around Arsenal with one-twos in the first half but was largely ineffective in truth. Clearly, the unwell Cole Palmer was missed.

Conor Gallagher: 4.5

Tried to get up alongside the isolated Nicolas Jackson but spent much of this match in defensive-mode. Work-rate cannot be faulted but sweat alone does not buy you wins.

Mykhailo Mudryk: 4

Arsenal desperately wanted Mudryk before Chelsea swooped for him in January 2023 but he did not make them regret that here. Visitors were miserable from back to front.

Nicolas Jackson: 4

Lucky to avoid a straight red for his foul on Takehiro Tomiyasu. Luckier still he wasn’t shown his 10th yellow of the season. Often Chelsea’s only outlet. Fudged whatever chances came his way, even if he was creating most of them by himself.

Nicolas Jackson was lucky to avoid a red card and also somehow avoided a yellow in the game

SUBS

Raheem Sterling (for Mudryk, 67) – 5.5

Sent one free-kick straight into the arms of David Raya after being brought on.

Trevoh Chalobah (for Fernandez, 67) – 5.5

Brought on to form a back three as Chelsea focused on damage limitation.

Thiago Silva (for Gilchrist, 78) – N/A

Cesare Casadei (for Madueke, 79) – N/A

Manager - Mauricio Pochettino: 3

Among Arsenal’s glut of goals was one of the worst corners you will ever see defended. Abysmal performance from a team that cost so much to assemble. Interesting summer awaits.