Not one Arsenal player would get in Chelsea’s current team, according to Jamie Redknapp. The Gunners suffered a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in Unai Emery’s first London derby as Arsenal manager. Winger Pedro fired the Blues ahead on nine minutes, before Spain striker Alvaro Morata doubled Chelsea’s lead midway through the first half.
Arsenal threatened to mount an impressive comeback and they levelled before half-time through Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi. But Emery’s side were outplayed in the second half and Marcos Alonso scored Chelsea’s winner ten minutes from time. Redknapp believes there is not a single Arsenal player who would get into Chelsea’s starting XI, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the closest to being in contention. ‘Arsenal may have shown fight to battle back against Chelsea but their 3-2 loss only papers over the cracks,’
‘Looking at the Arsenal team, not one of their players would get in Maurizio Sarri’s best XI. At the heart of defence, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis don’t look a partnership. ‘At full back, Cesar Azpilicueta is both more solid defensively and more creative in attack than Hector Bellerin while Marcos Alonso has been impressive since his debut in 2016. ‘Kepa could have done better with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first goal but I would rather have a young goalkeeper who is confident playing out from the back than Petr Cech, who is struggling.’ Redknapp added: ‘There was no contest between the two midfield enforcers. Jorginho looks every bit the midfield general, pulling the strings and dictating play.
Arsenal face West Ham – also without a point from their first two games – next weekend while Chelsea travel to Newcastle United.