As Arsenal defeated the Blues in North London, MARTIN ODEGAARD was at the top of his remarkable career and demonstrated what it takes to be a world-class midfielder.

After a deft pass from Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard’s left-footed effort opened the score for Mikel Arteta’s team in just three minutes. 

Martin Odegaard bossed the midfield in a brilliant displayBen White scored an unlikely double

By no means was it a flawless display by the Gunners; in the first half, Gabriel turned the ball onto his own post and Nicolas Jackson wasted a few standard opportunities.

But after the break, things drastically deteriorated from bad to worse.

Once more, Rice was the troublemaker as his strike ricocheted off Conor Gallagher, presenting Ben White with an easy opportunity to score with his left peg. 

Soon, it was three, and then four, with Kai Havertz, the German forward for Chelsea who had won the Champions League, dealing the most devastating blows. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both played in the German forward before he easily beat Petrovic on both occasions. 

When Odegaard dinked the ball again to make it FIVE, Ben White earned his brace with 20 minutes remaining, and Chelsea’s substitution of an additional defender only made matters worse. 

Arsenal topped the Premier League and put further pressure on their opponents for the crown, which was fantastic for Arteta and embarrassing for Pochettino that evening. 

TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 5

Struggled with the pace of Noni Madueke at times as he continued to return from injury, but managed to keep a clean sheet before being subbed in the 72nd minute.

WILLIAM SALIBA – 7

Composure personified tonight, his physicality and speed were exceptional as per usual, and he was there every time he was called upon.

GABRIEL – 6

Stepped into tackles nicely on a few occasions, and it was a solid performance from the Brazilian centre-half, but was fortunate not to put the ball in the back of his own net in the first half. 

Struggled to cope with the pace of Jackson at times in the first half, with little to do in the second.

BEN WHITE – 8

Linked up brilliantly with Bukayo Saka on the right hand side, and looked unphased defensively against the pace of Mykhailo Mudryk.

Finished with on his left foot following a rebound to double Arsenal’s lead, before securing his brace with a tidy volley into the top left corner. 

DECLAN RICE – 8

Was superb in midfield against the club he played for as a boy. 

Claimed his sixth assist of the season setting up Leandro Trossard’s opener with an early assist, before nearly scoring himself. It was his deflected effort that allowed Ben White to roll home the second, almost added a goal to his tally too. 

MARTIN ODEGAARD – 9

Dazzled with build up play, and caused problems with his passing as he always does. Two more assists, which takes him to eight goals and eight assists this season.

Maestro Martin Odegaard; creative, incisive, decisive.

THOMAS PARTEY – 7

Set the tempo early on in midfield for the Gunners alongside Declan Rice, intercepted well on a few occasions and was great in transition for Arteta’s men.

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 7

Opened the scoring early on with a left-footed finish slotted into the corner, his tenth goal of the season and second in as many games.

BUKAYO SAKA – 6

Not his finest night, gave the ball away loosely in the first quarter of the game and was kept quiet early on by Marc Cucurella, tired perhaps…

Grew into the game in a big way and ended up with an assist for his troubles. 

KAI HAVERTZ – 8

Impotent for the entirety of the first half, but clinical in the second.

Two classy left-footed finishes saw him bag a brace against his former club, but it could’ve easily been three or four. 

7Kai Havertz ran riot against his former clubCredit: Reuters

SUBS:

GABRIEL MARTINELLI (TROSSARD, 72) – 5

Brought on to replace Trossard, hoping to build himself some confidence and maybe grab a goal – it didn’t materialise, missed a 1v1 at the death to make it six. 

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO  (TOMIYASU, 72) – 5

More minutes under his belt as he returns to full fitness. Provided a lovely nutmeg for the fans to enjoy towards the end. 

GABRIEL JESUS (HAVERTZ, 72) – 5

Almost added an assist to his tally when he backheeled the ball to Declan Rice who hit the post, ultimately not ending his goal scoring drought since returning from injury. 

Looked like he was lacking confidence. 

JORGINHO  (PARTEY, 72) – 5

Watched the clock tick down against his passive former side.