Despite playing with 10 men on Sunday, there were so many good performances in the Chelsea team.
The Blues drew 1-1 with London rivals Arsenal and had to do it a man down after Moises Caicedo’s early ejection in the first half.
Caicedo was sent off after a poor tackle on Mikel Merino, but Chelsea did not capitulate and managed to earn a point.
The big moment of the first half…
Was this a red card?
Reece James was the Player of the Match, but Joao Pedro has also given credit to another Chelsea star.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez making save against Arsenal
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Joao Pedro praises Robert Sanchez for role in Arsenal draw
Pedro thought Robert Sanchez was excellent against the Gunners, stating that the goalkeeper saved them with his performance.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official club website after the game, Pedro said: “Rob always tried to save us. Today, he was brilliant again. Today, he was very important for us.”
Who was your Man of the Match vs Arsenal?
The 28-year-old has really recovered since his red card in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in September.
Sanchez’s cross stopping has improved, for example, and you would now have to say that he is one of the most in-form goalkeepers in the Premier League.
As for his display over the weekend, Pedro is not wrong to claim that the Spaniard saved the team.
Chelsea forward Joao Pedro looking surprised
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Robert Sanchez’s goals prevented stat
According to Sofascore, Sanchez’s goals prevented for Sunday’s London derby was 1.18. It means Arsenal really should have found the back of the net again.
Thankfully for Chelsea, Sanchez was at his best and was able to limit Mikel Arteta’s side to just one goal.
In total, he also made three saves and two high claims. The latter just re-emphasises Sanchez’s improvement at catching crosses.
All in all, without the Spaniard, the Blues probably would have lost that game.
There is still talk of a new goalkeeper potentially arriving at Stamford Bridge. It was recently claimed that Chelsea are back in talks to sign Mike Maignan, who is set to become a free agent next summer.
However, with the form that Sanchez is in, there may not be a need to bring in another shot-stopper.