Fewer touches than Raya & 60% duels lost: 3/10 Arsenal star must be dropped

[ad_1] Every week in the past, Arsenal took the handbrake off and went for broke towards rivals, Spurs. They received 4-1. The soccer on show was a few of the greatest we have seen from Mikel Arteta's males all season lengthy.

But, that was solely Tottenham, relegation-threatened Tottenham that's. Sorry, however we needed to get that in there. Seven days on and their win over Chelsea was somewhat extra gritty. Given the best way the second leg performed out within the Carabao Cup semi-final between these two groups, that was hardly a shock.

On this event, Liam Rosenior's males actually put a extra attacking sport plan into place however finally it turned a battle of the set-piece. That has somewhat been the story of this Premier League season.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Rice-Saka-Gyokeres-Eze-Saliba-Arsenal" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rice-saka-gyokeres-eze-saliba-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rice-saka-gyokeres-eze-saliba-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> The Gunners weren't at their greatest on Sunday however they received the battle of the corners, bagging two set-pieces courtesy of headers from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.

These two targets had been sandwiched by a Chelsea aim from a set-play, glanced into the again of his personal web by Piero Hincapie. The rating learn 2-1 on the full-time whistle and it was simply as shut as that scoreline suggests.

How Arsenal defeated Chelsea on Sunday If Arteta's males win the league title in Could, it is secure to say they'll have carried out so the laborious manner. That sport towards Spurs apart, Arsenal have struggled in latest weeks with their 2-2 draw towards Wolves the nadir of their quest for Premier League glory.

However, crucially, they've bounced again from that end result, now beating Spurs and Chelsea in successive weeks. It wasn't a classic show however it was efficient on Sunday.

In truth, there weren't many in purple and white who flattered however, as they so typically do, they'd their backline to thank for coming away with three factors, though not within the conventional manner.

Whereas Areta's aspect have turn into among the best defensive sides in Europe since he turned supervisor, it was within the remaining third the place they shone this weekend.

This very a lot turned a battle of set-pieces and it was Arsenal, the set-play kings, who reigned supreme. They opened the scoring by Saliba who netted for the primary time this time period.

Bukayo Saka's supply was swung in direction of the again publish the place Gabriel Magalhaes bulldozed Reece James to 1 aspect after which discovered his fellow centre-back who beat the goalkeeper through a deflection.

Whereas Hincapie did head into the again of his personal web simply moments earlier than the break, the hosts had been higher within the second 45 minutes and courtesy of a Declan Rice nook, Timber couldn't miss his header from yards out to win the sport.

The Dutch defender has not been at his better of late, a lot in order that Arteta subbed the full-back final day out towards Spurs, however he was again to his greatest towards Chelsea.

The north Londoners didn't precisely coast to victory however they did have a late purple card to thank. Pedro Neto bundled Gabriel Martinelli over and acquired a second yellow card.

Martinelli's cameo, though he didn't rating or help a aim, was a brilliant one and it will not be a shock to see him begin in midweek towards Brighton.

Arsenal's worst participant vs Chelsea There weren't many gamers in purple or white who would probably come away from this win too keen on their particular person efficiency. That may actually be utilized to Leandro Trossard.

For the Belgian, this has been a somewhat fascinating marketing campaign. Final summer time, he was attracting curiosity from elsewhere however the Arsenal hierarchy determined to provide him a pay rise, a gesture that mirrored his significance to Arteta's venture.

Arsenal participant scores vs Chelsea

David Raya - 9

Jurrien Timber - 8

William Saliba - 9

Gabriel Magalhaes - 8

Piero Hincapie - 6

Martin Zubimendi - 4

Declan Rice - 7

Eberechi Eze - 5

Bukayo Saka - 8

Leandro Trossard - 3

Viktor Gyokeres - 5

He paid that again instantly, scoring eight instances and registering six assists in his first 22 matches of the marketing campaign. He appeared like among the best wingers within the league.

Nevertheless, 2026 has been a extremely tough one for the 31-year-old who's arguably now displaying his age. His performances are getting worse by the week and it is abundantly clear that Arsenal must make signing a brand new left winger in the summertime a precedence.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Arsenal-Chelsea-Trossard-Caicedo" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/arsenal-chelsea-trossard-caicedo.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/arsenal-chelsea-trossard-caicedo.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Throughout this calendar yr, Trossard has gone goalless in his 14 outings, supplying only a solitary help towards Sunderland firstly of February.

Whereas the Belgium worldwide's type has been deteriorating for some time now, he saved what was arguably his worst show of the marketing campaign for Chelsea on Sunday.

Trossard vs Chelsea

Minutes performed

56

Touches

33

Pictures

1

Pictures on track

0

Correct passes

16/19 (84)

Key passes

1

Crosses

0

Profitable dribbles

2/3

Possession misplaced

10x

Floor duels received

4/10

Aerial duels received

0/0

Fouls

1

Tackles

0

Interceptions

0

Arteta has not been afraid to make early subs when issues are going unsuitable. Simply ask Eberechi Eze. Nicely, on this event, it was Trossard who was getting that therapy, taken off after simply 56 minutes.

Throughout his time on the sphere, Trossard was wholly ineffective, leaving the pitch with simply 33 touches to his identify, two fewer than goalkeeper David Raya.

What was most alarming, although, is that the ahead registered only one shot and a solitary key cross. He additionally misplaced as many as 60% of his duels. This was merely not ok for a participant who normally calls for a lot of not simply himself but in addition his teammates.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Trossard-Reece-James-Arsenal-Chelsea" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/trossard-reece-james-arsenal-chelsea.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/trossard-reece-james-arsenal-chelsea.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> As he trudged off earlier than the hour mark, Trossard did so realizing he had been locked down by Reece James. The Chelsea right-back, who equipped the Blues' aim, delivered an entire efficiency that noticed him win all 5 of his duels. That could be a testomony to how poorly Arsenal's left winger performed.

So, as they journey to Brighton in a couple of days, Trossard should come out of the beginning lineup to face his former employers. It is time to see what Eze or Martinelli can do off the left.

<img width="440" height="364" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Timber-Saliba-Gabriel-Ben-White-Arsenal" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/timber-saliba-gabriel-ben-white-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=182&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/timber-saliba-gabriel-ben-white-arsenal.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=182&dpr=2"/> Associated