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Player Ratings: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea

Sports Mole rates the individual performances of those involved in Chelsea's 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

Chelsea took a step closer to the Premier League title on Sunday with a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Arsenal.

The Gunners enjoyed more of the possession and had the better chances during the game, but a robust defensive display from the visitors secured them a share of the spoils.

While Chelsea remain on course to be crowned champions of England, the stalemate has all but ended Arsenal's hopes of lifting the trophy.

Here, Sports Mole rates the individual performances of those involved at the Emirates Stadium.


Arsenal's Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina collides with Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Oscar during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 26, 2015© Getty Images

ARSENAL

Goal

David Ospina: Arsenal's goalkeeper should have been sent off in the first half for his rugby tackle on Oscar. That moment aside, the Colombian had a solid afternoon. (6/10)

Defence

Hector Bellerin: A composed display from the youngster, who is quickly proving that he is capable of holding his own in the top flight. (7/10)

Per Mertesacker: Did not have the busiest afternoon as Chelsea rarely threatened down the middle. Scuffed a shot wide in the second half that should have at least been on target. (6/10)

Laurent Koscielny: Was steady at the back and also did a good job in getting forward to support his team when they had the visitors pinned back. (7/10)

Nacho Monreal: Provided the home side with a good attacking outlet down the left, putting some good crosses into the box. (7/10)

Midfield

Santi Cazorla: A tireless showing from the little Spaniard. Kept trying to find a way through the Chelsea defence right until the end. (7/10)

Francis Coquelin: Anchored the hosts' midfield well, mixing it up with the likes of Fabregas and Matic before he was brought off with 15 minutes left. (6/10)

Aaron Ramsey: Was ineffective during the first half, but he played a more important attacking role for the Gunners after the break. (6/10)

Mesut Ozil: Got on the ball plenty of times, but his end product was often disappointing. Drifted in and out of the game towards the end. (5/10)

Attack

Alexis Sanchez: Gave the Chelsea defence lots of problems with his pace, power and physicality. Could have got on the scoresheet were it not for some wayward finishing. (7/10)

Olivier Giroud: Struggled as the spearhead of Arsenal's attack because of Chelsea's supreme organisation at the back. That said, he had one or two decent sights of goal. (6/10)

Substitutes

Danny Welbeck: Added a bit of urgency to Arsenal's play in the final third when he entered the action with 15 minutes to go, though he was also denied by Chelsea backline. (6/10)

Theo Walcott: Was given a handful of minutes to make an impact towards the end of the afternoon and found it difficult to do so. (5/10)


Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea is challenged by Santi Cazorla of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2015 © Getty Images

CHELSEA

Goal

Thibaut Courtois: An assured presence at the back for Chelsea, the Belgian's handling in particular was a big asset. (7/10)

Defence

Branislav Ivanovic: A typical showing from the full-back, who gave no quarter at either end of the pitch. (7/10)

John Terry: Put in a magnificent performance at the back. Chelsea's captain was at his defiant, rock-solid best. (9/10)

Gary Cahill: Complemented Terry well in the centre of the away side's defence. Showed good positional awareness throughout. (7/10)

Cesar Azpilicueta: Could not get forward as much as he would have liked to, but the Spaniard was an integral part of Chelsea's defensive dominance. (7/10)

Midfield

Cesc Fabregas: Experienced a mixed afternoon against his former club. Did not pull too many strings from midfield and also picked up an embarrassing booking for diving. (6/10)

Nemanja Matic: A peripheral figure over the course of the match. Did not provide his defence with the protection that they needed. (6/10)

Ramires: An impressive box-to-box performance from the Brazilian. Was at his most effective in the final third, offering support to those in more advanced positions. (8/10)

Willian: Caused the home side multiple problems with his direct running and clever movement. Eventually came off deep in stoppage time. (8/10)

Eden Hazard: The Belgian was unable to stretch his legs and influence the game as the Arsenal players gave him the rough treatment, though he was handy whenever Chelsea went on the counter-attack. (6/10)

Attack

Oscar: Almost had his head knocked off his shoulders when Ospina wiped him out in the first half. Failed to recover after that and was brought off during the interval. (6/10)

Substitutes

Didier Drogba: Offered the visitors a proper focal point after the break, but he was not utilised as well as he could have been. (6/10)

Kurt Zouma: Beefed Chelsea up at the back during the final few minutes as Arsenal tried to force a winning goal. (6/10)

Juan Cuadrado: Only had a minute or so on the pitch and failed to do anything of note. (5/10)


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David Ospina of Arsenal and Oscar of Chelsea collide during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2015
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