Stamford Bridge side overcome nine man Gunners.
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(Video) Chelsea vs Arsenal: Gabriel Paulista sent off after Diego Costa clash
Arsenal found themselves down to ten men late in the first-half after a fairly even first 45 minutes and Chelsea were able to make their man advantage count when Kurt Zouma put the home side ahead on 53 minutes.
Santi Cazorla was ordered off for a second yellow with ten minutes of the match to play and Eden Hazard’s deflected effort helped Chelsea to a 2-0 win.
Asmir Begovic – 6
Didn’t have an awful lot to do.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7
Solid if not spectacular from the Spaniard.
Gary Cahill – 8
The senior central defensive partner and barely put a foot wrong.
Kurt Zouma – 9
French youngster pulled off a superb stretching challenge to prevent Theo Walcott from breaking away and netted the winner, great display.
Branislav Ivanovic – 7
A return to form of sorts for the Serbian, who was the captain for the day.
Nemanja Matic – 7
Strong display from the leggy midfielder.
Cesc Fabregas – 6
Offered little and vanished for long periods.
Oscar – 6.5
Bright early on but faded as the game wore on.
Pedro – 7.5
Energetic display from the former Barcelona man.
Eden Hazard – 8.5
Belgian was full of ideas and wasn’t lacking confidence.
Diego Costa – 6
Lucky to stay on the field of play and though he didn’t stop running the Spanish international wasn’t much of a threat in the Arsenal box.
Petr Cech – 6.5
Couple of good stops and powerless to prevent either goal.
Nacho Monreal – 6.5
Tried to push up the field and never stopped running.
Laurent Koscielny – 6
Not the greatest of displays, may have been asleep when Zouma headed home the opener.
Gabriel Paulista – 6
Harsh to be sent off but would perhaps have done well to have moved away from Diego Costa scuffle.
Hector Bellerin – 6
Always looking to push the play forwards.
Santi Cazorla – 6
Second yellow was deserved and pint-sized midfielder’s form was some way below his recent superb displays.
Francis Coquelin – 6
Subbed at half-time and took a knock during the first-half.
Aaron Ramsey – 5.5
Lacked a killer final ball and his impact on the game was minimal.
Mesut Ozil – 5
Fair anonymous throughout
Theo Walcott – 7
An ever willing runner, the Gunners forward caused Chelsea problems but didn’t enjoy much service.
Alexis Sanchez – 6
Full of running but lacking the cutting edge shown last season.