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Arsene Wenger has insisted that Arsenal are “not close to signing anybody”, as they had a second bid rejected for Borussia Dortmund ’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Wednesday.
The Independent understands that the Premier League club’s offers have been somewhat short of the evaluation of the Gabonese international at the Westfalondtadion, but Wenger was reluctant to publicly discuss about the situation.
“The best is I don’t talk about that because it wouldn’t help,” he said.
Show all 22 1 /22Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Bernd Leno - 6 Curiously on a night where Chelsea dominated possession, had little to do with few clear sightings of his goal. Commanded his area better than he has at times this season. A second Premier League clean sheet.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Hector Bellerin - 8 Very solid showing, and awful to see him stretchered off after a non-contact leg injury so soon after returning.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Sokratis Papastathopoulos - 7 Very strong at the back, combining well with Koscielny and showing passion and leadership. An assist with a sliced cross to set up his centre-back partner, too.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Laurent Koscielny - 9 Should have put Arsenal ahead just prior to Lacazette’s opener, but made amends with a fortunate shoulder home after mistiming his header attempt. Outstanding defensively. Header after header, block after block, tackle after tackle.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Sead Kolasinac - 7 A player more noted for his attacking influence this season but very solid defensively on the night. Did waste one chance, opting to go further to the byline rather than square with Torreira waiting unmarked.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Granit Xhaka - 7 Strong performance. Tackled and intercepted well.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Lucas Torreira - 7 The midfield dovetailed nicely, shutting down Chelsea’s football and holding their defensive structure to secure the game. Torreira moved forward effectively at times, too.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Matteo Guendouzi - 7 Busy and tireless on the left of the midfield three during the first half, providing cover for Sead Kolasinac in Arsenal’s narrower system.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Aaron Ramsey - 7 Deployed in a free role behind the front two, making the most of his touches and working hard. Wasn’t hugely impactful beyond the first 15 minutes, but instrumental in Arsenal’s fast start.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Alexandre Lacazette - 8 Excellent opener, controlling superbly and staying on his feet before applying a strong finish. Fizzed throughout with his ability to move with the ball a huge asset for Arsenal.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Pierrer-Emerick Aubameyang - 7 Missed a couple of very good chances in the early stages, but constantly threatened the Chelsea defence and put the hard work in up front.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6 Superb reflex save from Koscielny header early on. Faultless for the goals.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Cesar Azpiulicueta - 6 Escaped an uncharacteristic early error unpunished. Afforded plenty of space but found targets lacking with Chelsea’s diminutive front-six.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Antonio Rudiger - 5 Escaped an uncharacteristic early error unpunished. Afforded plenty of space but found targets lacking with Chelsea’s diminutive front-six.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings David Luiz - 5 His range of passing stood out, but should have taken better charge of his box as the senior head in the Chelsea defence.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Marcos Alonso - 7 Similarly frustrated by Chelsea’s lack of options as he looked to cross. Hit the post with a flicked header late in the first half and, in truth, looked their most likely goal threat, moving into the box at times to give a sizeable option.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Jorginho - 5 Kept things ticking over in midfield as he always does when Chelsea dominate possession, but is limited as a forward passer and creator.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Mateo Kovacic - 6 Uninfluential during his hour on the pitch, and Chelsea’s lack of midfield creativity was telling.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings N'Golo Kante - 5 There is an argument to be made that Chelsea’s two best players both started this game out of position. Kante isn’t being asked to do what he does well.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Pedro - 6 Nearly equalised five minutes after the opener with a deft chip over Bernd Leno, the ball tumbling just the wrong side of the post. Otherwise largely ineffectual, but he was typically industrious.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Willian - 5 Wasteful, with his only option seemingly to cut inside and fire against Arsenal defenders. At risk of losing his place to Giroud to add balance.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Eden Hazard - 5 Chelsea’s reliance on him is such that on a subdued night from him like tonight they never look like scoring. Deploying him as a false-nine doesn’t really work in games like this, and he drifted with touches limited.
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“I think if something happens it happens, if it doesn’t happen then we are strong enough to focus on the players we have and focus on the job with the players we have. I am perfectly happy with the players I have. We got [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan in and I have a strong squad.”
He cut the same tone when asked about West Brom’s Jonny Evans .
“Look, if we sign somebody we will tell you very quickly, but at the moment we are open to strengthen the team and the squad, but we are not close to signing anybody.”
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