Enzo Maresca‘s Chelsea managed a draw in opposition to final season’s Premier League runners-up Arsenal, in a tightly contested 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring within the sixtieth minute earlier than Chelsea’s Pedro Neto fired again within the seventieth minute.
The Blues held 49% of the ball, however did handle 17 pictures, producing 1.28 xG, and creating one massive probability.
In the meantime, the Gunners had barely extra of the ball with 51% possession, taking fewer pictures than Chelsea with 13, producing a decrease xG of 0.99, however creating 4 massive probabilities.
The speaking level of the sport, among the many good tactical battle between Maresca and Mikel Arteta, was the fantastic strike from Neto, equalising for Chelsea and making it a extra fascinating finish to the sport.
Pedro Neto’s efficiency vs Arsenal
Neto scored his fourth aim of the season, now making 15 appearances for the Blues since becoming a member of in the summertime from Wolves for a price of around £51.4m, plus £2.6m in add-ons.
The 24-year-old has already began a number of video games on both wing for the Blues now, enjoying for granted and left winger, offering three assists alongside his objectives for his teammates. However Sunday afternoon’s efficiency by the Portugal worldwide was good all spherical.
Alongside scoring the aim, Neto made two key passes, accomplished three of his 4 crosses, took three pictures, and gained three of his six floor duels, working onerous to trace again and do his bit on the defensive finish too.
His all-round high quality was key on this sport, usually isolating the full-back out extensive, and discovering house to have an effect on the sport.
Nevertheless it wasn’t simply Neto who impressed for Chelsea, as there have been some high defensive performances too, one in every of which got here from the French defender, Wesley Fofana, who was in high kind on the evening.
Wesley Fofana’s wonderful efficiency
Fofana was given a 7/10 match rating by The Standard after enjoying a pivotal half on this 1-1 draw, exhibiting his athleticism, energy, and restoration tempo in opposition to the Gunners frontline.
The 23-year-old has struggled for health previously few seasons at Chelsea, spending lengthy spells on the sidelines. Nevertheless, up to now this time period, the previous Leicester man has managed ten Premier League appearances, totalling 867 minutes.
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Wesley Fofana vs Arsenal |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Fofana |
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
Touches |
63 |
|
Correct Passes |
47/51 |
|
Key Passes |
1 |
|
Profitable Dribbles |
1/1 |
|
Floor Duels Gained |
2/2 |
|
Aerial Duels Gained |
1/1 |
|
Clearances |
6 |
|
Blocks |
1 |
|
Stats taken from Sofascore |
|
Fofana gained 100% of his duels, dealing rather well with balls in behind, being aggressive on Kai Havertz to cease him turning, and making certain Chelsea have been strong in and across the field.
Even when the ball did break within the space, Fofana was fast to the scene, making six clearances and making a block.
However he was additionally necessary in build-up, recycling play, making correct passes across the again and into the Chelsea pivot of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, in addition to driving ahead at instances to maintain Arsenal guessing, finishing 100% of his dribbles within the sport too.
Fofana is clearly a wonderful defensive profile, and if Chelsea can preserve him match alongside Levi Colwill, the Blues have a well-balanced duo forming between the pair, with the Frenchman’s aggression and duel-winning means, alongside the protecting mentality and excessive IQ of his English colleague.
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