Forget the usual debate about Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo.
On this day, the player who dominated the midfield with authority was Reece James, normally known for patrolling the right-back flank.
Those who don’t follow Chelsea closely might have been surprised to see James pulling the strings from the center of the park.
But manager Enzo Maresca has long seen this side of him.
Back in his loan spell at Wigan in 2018-19, James was already playing in midfield, and Maresca has never forgotten.
The very day he took over Chelsea in June 2024, he sent James a WhatsApp message with a video of a stunning 25-yard goal James scored for Wigan against Bristol City, signalling the role he envisioned.
From Right Back to Midfield Maestro
Fast forward to this match, and Maresca’s plan was clear.
With Malo Gusto taking the right-back slot, James was deployed centrally alongside Caicedo—and he delivered a performance that was flawless in every sense.
Defensively, he stuck to Rice like glue, even tracking him deep when Arsenal’s midfielder dropped into the defensive line.
Offensively, James helped drive Chelsea forward, linking play and creating danger.
Arsenal Struggle to Contain James
Arsenal found him impossible to handle.
They were forced into repeated fouls—so much so that three yellow cards were handed to Zubimendi, Calafiori, and Lewis-Skelly for fouling James.
Chelsea even took the lead when James’ corner was met by Trevoh Chalobah, giving the Blues a shock advantage despite being down to ten men.
His tireless work in midfield, especially with Caicedo unavailable for portions of the game, drew chants from Chelsea fans at full-time.
Chelsea’s Ongoing Red Card Woes
Discipline remains a major concern for Chelsea.
With Caicedo’s dismissal, he became the sixth different player sent off this season, joining Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap.
The pattern shows no sign of letting up, with Maresca now facing a Premier League run without his key defensive midfielder for upcoming clashes against Leeds, Bournemouth, and Everton.
The early minutes of the game hinted at the physicality to come: Joao Pedro barged into Mosquera, Cucurella collided with Saka, and Caicedo shoved Merino off the ball.
It was only a matter of time before the referee reached for the red card.
Chelsea insiders note that repeated dismissals have contributed to why the club is struggling to challenge for the title despite some promising performances.
Saka Breaks His Assist Drought
On the Arsenal side, Bukayo Saka stepped up to make a crucial impact.
His cross led to Merino’s headed equalizer, marking Saka’s first Premier League assist in exactly a year.
Injuries have hampered him since last November, but he chose this moment to deliver, bypassing a usually uncompromising Cucurella.
Even the top-tier defenders like Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele often struggle against him, and this performance proved Saka’s ability to influence a tight match.
Maresca’s Half-Time Switch Signals Caution
Chelsea manager Maresca showed his tactical caution by substituting Estevao Willian at half-time for Alejandro Garnacho.
The £40million Brazilian teen is still earning Maresca’s trust, particularly defensively.
Garnacho’s introduction gave Chelsea fresh legs down the left-hand side, crucial for holding out with ten men during long stretches of the second half.
The Verdict on Chelsea’s Performance
Despite the setbacks, Chelsea showed flashes of quality, particularly through James’ midfield mastery.
Yet, the recurring discipline issues and reliance on tactical adjustments underscore why Maresca’s side continues to struggle for consistency in the Premier League.
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