Chelsea have failed to reduce the gap to Arsenal with the Blues being beaten away at the Gunners on Sunday afternoon.
[Cole Palmer was not named in the squad](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/chelsea-star-cole-palmer-isnt-31210676) at the Emirates Stadium with the 22-year-old having a slight injury issue. Chelsea, without Palmer, started poorly and were 1-0 down early on when Mikel Merino's header from a corner beat Robert Sanchez around 20 minutes in.
The Blues could not create anywhere near enough opportunities to get back into the game in what was an underwhelming display, all in all. Arsenal held on for the three points while Chelsea are forced to lick their wounds as we head into the final international break of the season.
Below, **Bobby Vincent** rates the Chelsea players out of 10.
**Robert Sanchez** - Made a mistake on nine minutes that went unpunished. His kicks were loose. His rating is slightly higher because he made a good save to deny Merino an hour in. **4**.
**Wesley Fofana** \- Started at right-back again. Perhaps a bit lucky to avoid a red card after a challenge on Declan Rice in the first-half. Not his best day at all. **5**.
**Benoit Badiashile** \- Got done by Gabriel Martinelli on 19 minutes, a situation he has to do better in. Better in the second-half. **5**.
**Levi Colwill** - Booked for a foul on Leandro Trossard. Passed it well but struggled to cope with Arsenal's attackers. **5**.
**Marc Cucurella** - Being booed by the Arsenal fans. Not quite sure why. One of the better players in a blue shirt. Almost got another goal to add to his collection but his volley trickled just wide of the post after being spilled by Raya. **6**.
**Moises Caicedo** \- Did fine but was not his sensational best. **6**.
**Reece James** \- Plenty of the ball in midfield. However, he could not impact proceedings too much. Subbed late on. **6**.
**Jadon Sancho** \- He couldn't get in the game, unfortunately. **5**.
**Enzo Fernandez** \- Not his best out there. Not for a lack of hard work and endeavour. **5**.
**Christopher Nkunku** \- Ineffective again. Spells in the game where you almost forgot he was playing. **4**.
**Pedro Neto** \- Very isolated in the No.9 role. Bright, though, whenever he got the ball. Booked for dissent. **6**.
### Substitutes
**Tyrique George (on for Sancho 76')** \- Didn't have enough time to make an impact unfortunately. **N/A**.
**Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (on for Nkunku 76')** \- See above. **N/A**.
**Romeo Lavia (on for James 82')** \- Nice to see him get back onto the pitch. **N/A**.
**Tosin Adarabioyo (on for Badiashile 86')** \- **N/A**.
**Malo Gusto (on for Fofana 86')** \- **N/A**.