Chelsea vs Arsenal: Instant Reaction

Short one today

A couple of quick thoughts because I only have a few minutes today.

• At least it was a loss. It is probably not that much better and still leaves the team 9 points back and now with a rally big hole to fill to catch Liverpool.

• Thomas Partey has looked much better than I had hoped he would, but there is still part of me watching him and the way the team plays where I come away thinking he is taking away more than he is adding. He’s playing pretty well but the team is not. The out of possession level that was so high previously has dropped so much. There were too many moments in this match where with him there the space was huge, or he was turned too easy.

• Saka looks off. The team relies so heavily on him and he looked way off his best.

• Odegaard was big but he understandably faded.

• Merino showed a lot more today than he has all season. Too bad he missed his chance.

• Trossard, you are here for end product, you have to get something on it.

More tomorrow.

Graphics from the game: