Arsenal won a thrilling London Derby at Stamford Bridge 3-5 thanks to a hat-trick from star striker Robin Van Persie. It was a wide open game with chances at both ends as the two giants defended poorly and simply tried to out-score one-another. Ultimately, it was a late double from van Persie that was the difference, guiding Arsenal to a famous 3-5 victory. Click here to watch all the goals from Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal. Here are the player ratings for both sides:
Chelsea ratings:
Cech – 4 – Probably his worst day in a Chelsea shirt. 5 shots on target from Arsenal and 5 goals scored. Will be disappointed with at least 3 of the goals. But he will be back to his best soon, no doubt.
Bosingwa – 5 – Caught out more than once as Gervinho got in behind the Portuguese international.
Terry – 4 – Slipped at the vital moment to let Van Persie in for 3-4. Look uncomfortable all afternoon. Got on the scoresheet though.
Ivanovic – 5 – A bad day at the office for Ivanovic as the Gunners got through the middle of the Chelsea defence on several occasions.
Cole – 5 – Not at his usual dependable self. Went to sleep to allow Walcott in for Arsenal’s third.
Mikel – 5 – Very quiet, hardly saw anything from him as Arsenal over-ran the Chelsea midfield in the second half.
Lampard – 7 – Took his goal well and set up Terry for the second, but didn’t work hard enough in cutting out the Gunners attacks.
Ramires – 6 – Like Lampard, should have worked harder to boss the midfield areas. Subbed off for Lukaku as Villas-Boas needed goals.
Mata – 7 – A creative force for the home side and scored a 25-yard belter for 3-3.
Sturridge – 5 – Not at his best. Should have found Torres early on when clear and missed a great chance to get on the scoresheet but sliced wide. Subbed after 60 minutes.
Torres – 5 – Saw very little from the Spaniard. Was hardly in the game but missed a great early chance to get on the scoresheet.
Subs:
Malouda – 5 – Had little impact as he came on for the last half hour. on
Meireles – 5 – Very little time to get in to the game, only on for 15 minutes.
Lukaku – 6 – Did well to protect Mata which lead to the equaliser at 3-3, did nothing else of note.
Arsenal ratings:
Szczesny – 6 – Looked suspect a few times from crosses, also rushed out his box and was lucky to stay on the field after taking down Cole.
Djourou – 5 – Struggled early on as Chelsea got in behind far too easily during the first half, but improved in the second half. Subbed.
Mertesacker – 5.5 – Missed the cross for Lampard’s opener, lost Terry for Chelsea’s second and caught out of position on occasion. Not a good day for the big German.
Koscielny – 8 – The only defender on the pitch who could hold his head up high. Worked hard all game, and made a vital block late on with the score at 3-4 to deny Mata.
Santos – 5.5 – Roasted for pace on more than one occasion, his sloppy pass let in Mata to make it 3-3, and still looks short of fitness. Took his goal well though, if it wasn’t for that important strike he would have received a far lower score.
Song – 6 – Not his greatest day and was a lot quieter than usual. Made a few silly fouls and passing was below par.
Arteta – 7 – Kept things moving well in the middle of the park and set up several Arsenal attacks.
Ramsey – 7.5 – Great energy in midfield and worked well together with Arteta. Lovely ball to Gervinho that lead to Van Persie’s first.
Walcott – 8.5 – Set up both Gervinho and RVP early on with two delicious crosses, and took his goal well. Great game from the Englishman. Typically subbed late on.
Gervinho – 7.5 – Lovely run and square pass for Van Persie’s first and looked lively throughout. Missed a golden chance early on to open the scoring.
Van Persie – 9.5 (MOM) – Not for the first time this season, the Dutchman was the difference. Superb hat-trick, worked hard all game and deserved to be on the winning side. Irreplaceable.
Subs:
Jenkinson – 6 – On for Djourou for last 15 minutes as Wenger looked for some fresh legs down the right, the young Englishman did ok settling into such a frantic game.
Rosicky – 6.5 – Was involved in the fifth goal as Arsenal broke clear, and did well for his limited time on the pitch.
Vermaelen – n/a – Only on for 2 minutes.
