Arsenal-Chelsea: Odegaard's magical passes, the sinking of Chelsea...The tops and the flops

TOPS

He didn't score, but we will have seen and appreciated him during this demonstration. Unlike last year when Arsenal collapsed in the final sprint for the Premier League title, the arrival of the English international midfielder makes the difference. It is the added value of this more conquering, more experienced and more aggressive Arsenal. In the first action of the match, he was able to give the ball at the right time to Trossard to give him time to control and put the ball where he wanted to open the score. A few minutes later, he made himself available in the area to double the lead. The call was perfect, but Havertz procrastinated too much to give it. He was no longer decisive at the back, but he was present on each goal through his activity, his volume and his recoveries.

Football is him. This Tuesday evening, he delivered two assists, but he could have made fifteen. This quality of transmission ranks it among the greatest in its current championship. The Norwegian was the link between the midfield and the attack by delivering useful, hidden or very sharp passes (27th, 49th, 89th). His tally now stands at 8 assists in the Premier League. He did not have a perfect match, because he could have scored in the first period (34th). Despite this only downside, his match ranks as one of the very best of his season.

How can we not put these two among the best of this meeting? Considering the first period, this was not necessarily expected. Especially for Havertz, who chained failures on Petrovic's goal. Either the German was narrow (10th), or he was not precise enough (26th). Eventually he did it again and kept trying in front of the cage and it all paid off in the end. Well launched by Odegaard, again, he played with his body like a professional attacker to pass in front of Cucurella and shoot the Chelsea goalkeeper (57th). His second goal is a model of its kind. His left foot strike is unstoppable for Petkovic. Ben White was the other strong man on the right side of the Gunners. He was lucky on his two goals, but luck favors the bold, and he was there, twice, in the right place and at the right time to increase the score.

FLOPS

Four goals in the same period and almost no dangerous situations in between. Chelsea foundered, outclassed in every area. Mauricio Pochettino's club gave the impression of giving up and letting the Gunners do their thing. A bit of a symbol of their already failed season. However, the first half was encouraging with chances, pace and a game that seemed slightly in favor of the Gunners, but relatively balanced nonetheless. A score of 1-1 at the break would not have been scandalous. The score, in the end, is nothing scandalous.

He started this crazy second period, but not for his team. It was he who lost the ball on Declan Rice's first missed opportunity, in the second half (49th). If Petrovic saved his team and made up for his Argentinian friend's mistake, he was unable to do anything during the numerous attacks that followed on his goal. As if Enzo Fernandez had given the keys to the truck to Odegaard's teammates. Then, he could do nothing against the repeated waves of the Gunners. Replaced in the 67th minute by Chalobah, who gave the impression of having remained on the bench.

If there is a face to remember on the Blues side, it’s his. He worked hard on the attacking front to create chances and give the Saliba-Gabriel hinge a hard time. His match was okay, but his finish ruined everything. In the absence of Premier League co-top scorer Cole Palmer, he was unable to score even a goal to put the Gunners in doubt. And yet, he had opportunities (16th, 24th, 42nd, 61st).