Chelsea vs Arsenal: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis

#3 Xhaka-Guendouzi partnership did not work though Guendouzi impressed

Granit Xhaka struggled in the first half and was substituted at half-time

It was Arsenal's second game of the season but Lucas Torreira was still not considered fit enough to start the game and had to be satisfied with a place on the bench.

Instead, Emery deployed Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi in a double pivot role in midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation.

The pairing did not work and the two players were playing on opposite sides too with Xhaka playing on the right while Guendouzi was on the left. Both players had also been instructed to track Ross Barkley and N'Golo Kante respectively.

It was evident that they were being pulled further apart for the wingers to make runs through the centre (as Pedro did time and again). Kante also managed to make rare forays forward and, had he been more clinical with his final pass or shots, Chelsea could have scored more.

With Xhaka also getting booked for a foul before the half-hour mark, Emery decided to hook him off at half-time to introduce Torreira for the second half.

There was no need to replace Guendouzi, though, as the 19-year-old was very calm and composed, always available for a pass in midfield.