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Arsenal player ratings as Viktor Gyokeres stars and five others impress in Chelsea win
Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge, with Viktor Gyokeres among the top performers for Mikel Arteta’s side
Viktor Gyokeres made it 2-
Arsenal clinched a crucial first leg victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final, exacting sweet revenge for their previous league disappointment at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners took an early lead just seven minutes into the game when a Declan Rice corner found Ben White, who didn’t disappoint. Viktor Gyokeres added to the tally after the break, capitalising on a blunder by Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho was quick to respond, finding the back of the net from the far post to keep the Blues in the game. However, their joy was short-lived as Martin Zubimendi curled in a stunning left-footed shot just 14 minutes later.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Chelsea saw Garnacho score again from the far post following a
Here’s how our sister website football.london rated the players:
Kepa Arrizabalaga – The Spanish goalkeeper made a few comfortable saves in the first half hour, notably parrying a dangerous shot from Estevao around the post and handling the subsequent header from the corner well. However, he was beaten at his near post for Chelsea’s first goal and lost out at the corner for the second. 6.
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Ben White – The right-back, who has seen limited action this season, opened the scoring with a header from a Declan Rice corner. His pass led to the error from Sanchez that resulted in Arsenal’s second goal of the evening. 8.
William Saliba – Delivered an excellent pass to find Zubimendi on the counterattack for the early Gyokeres chance. He remained strong throughout and demonstrated great composure. 8.
Robert Sanchez missed the ball, allowing Ben White to head in
Gabriel Magalhaes – As always, he was a solid presence at the back, especially during Chelsea’s second-half onslaught. He nearly scored himself with a header at the back post. 8.
Jurrien Timber – Made a brilliant challenge to win the corner that led to the opening goal. Despite playing in the unorthodox left-back role and often joining midfield, Chelsea did manage to exploit that side of the Gunners’ defence. 7.
Martin Zubimendi – After delivering a nice pass across to Gyokeres, his volleyed effort went over the bar. However, when presented with a great chance on his left foot, he feinted and then struck to give the Gunners their third goal. 9.
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Declan Rice – Yet another perfect corner from the midfielder, finding the head of White. His relentless pressing and tireless running were impressive as he harried the midfield all game. 8.
Martin Zubimendi made it 3-1 for Arsenal
Martin Odegaard – He was somewhat disappointing in the first half, not really getting into the game despite pressing well. There were gaps appearing in the middle. He had a few moments in the second half but overall it was another quiet game in a big match for him. 5.
Bukayo Saka – Marc Cucurella got booked courtesy of a Saka run, and the question became, would he then test the Spaniard? Immediately, he had the beating of the full-back and found White in the build-up for Gyokeres’ goal; then found Merino in the play for the third too. 8.
Viktor Gyokeres – Had a chance in the first half on his left foot, spinning round and seeing his shot deflected wide. Started the second half perfectly, sliding in to pounce on Robert Sanchez’s error to smash in. He would gladly take his goal courtesy of a Sanchez howler. Then did really well to spot Zubimendi for the third goal. 9.
Leandro Trossard – Lovely weaving run through the Chelsea defence in the first half that could have ended in a big chance, but a block was made. Some bright moments but couldn’t make the Blues pay. 6.
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Viktor Gyokeres scored one and assisted another for Arsenal(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Substitutes:
Gabriel Martinelli – Had a strike from outside the box after some good movement blocked. 6.
Mikel Merino – Straight into the action from the bench, finding Gyokeres in the build-up for the third goal. Thought he’d scored only to be denied by the toes of Sanchez from a volley. 7.
Gabriel Jesus – Came on late in the game. n/a.
Kai Havertz – Came on late in the game. n/a.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stands.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stLiverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 18:05, UK
Second Half: Liverpool 1-0 Man City – live on Sky
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Liverpool FC team news vs. Man City: 6 defenders unavailable for Arne Slot
Liverpool have six defenders unavailable for their game against Man City, with Arne Slot‘s hand forced at centre-back and right-back.
Liverpool are down to their bare bones at the back, with six defenders unable to start as the Reds try to keep pace with their top-four competitors in the Premier League.
Liverpool Injury & Absentee List
PlayerInjury TypeStatusExpected ReturnJoe GomezKneeDoubtMan City (H)Jeremie FrimpongGroinUnavailableEarly MarchConor BradleyKnee (Surgery)UnavailablePre-season 2026Giovanni LeoniACL (Surgery)UnavailableNext seasonAlexander IsakFibula FractureUnavailableLate MarchStefan BajceticHamstringRehabLate FebruaryJayden DannsHamstringRehabFebruaryWellity LuckyHamstringUnavailableApril
Joe Gomez‘s fitness is the main talking point ahead of the match at Anfield, given his presence would provide cover at centre-back and full-back.
He didn’t train on Thursday, though, and Slot explained: “We have a little bit of hope that he might train on Saturday.
“So not available to start, but maybe available to help the team if needed during the game because, as you know, there are not that many defenders available at the moment.”
With Giovanni Leoni out until next season, academy defenders Amara Nallo and Wellity Lucky have made the bench in the Premier League a combined five times this season.
The latter is injured, however, so unable to come in against Man City.
Nallo got injured during Tuesday’s UEFA Youth League exit to MSK Zilina, but was named to start for the U21s on Saturday, meaning he will not be available at Anfield.
As for Lucky’s injury, the 20-year-old is set to be sidelined until April due to a hamstring injury sustained in training midway through January.
Also on Liverpool’s list of absentees is right-back Conor Bradley, who will miss the rest of the campaign.
Like Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong is currently injured but his outlook is more positive than his teammate’s.
Slot gave a brief update on the flying Dutchman’s fitness, saying he “will definitely not train this week” due to his ongoing groin problem.
With Nallo featuring at academy level, Liverpool will be without six defensive options against Man City.
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Liverpool Predicted XI vs. Man City: Szoboszlai right-back, no start for Jones
Liverpool’s available squad vs. Man City
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Robertson, Ramsay
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Endo, Nyoni
Forwards: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Chiesa
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