There was no shortage of talent on display at Kingsmeadow on Monday evening as Chelsea and Arsenal competed in Premier League 2 action. The Gunners fielded the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and new signing Jakub Kiwior in their starting XI, while Chelsea had Premier League experience of their own in the form of Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson, while Harvey Vale has played in the Championship this season.
Supporters were no doubt hoping for some respite from the issues of the first time with Chelsea in contention for a title challenge four points behind league-leaders Manchester City. John Terry was part of the Blues coaching staff and involved in the warm up, while the likes of Lucas Bergstrom and the injured Charlie Webster arrived in the stands early for the anticipated clash.
A tight first half followed with Arsenal more regularly testing the Chelsea goal as Smith Rowe casually patrolled the pitch looking for his opportunity. Chelsea grew into the action as the half wore on and a couple of incisive passes from Vale into the box were not finished.
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The Blues huddled to keep warm as they were left waiting for the visitors to make their way back onto the pitch for the second period. They obviously stayed warm and started the half the quick and exerted more control with the Gunners only threat coming from the break in some role reversal as Smith Rowe and Kiwior were replaced at the break.
The visitors came into the match again and probably had the better chances but it was substitute Leo Castledine that finally found the net following a scrappy moment in the box from Omari Hutchinson's cross.
football.london takes a look at three players who stood out for the Blues.
Gabriel Slonina - The US international was the standout player on the pitch and rarely allowed a moment of quiet on the pitch regardless of where the ball was. It wasn't long until he was forced into action by a shot from distance by Smith Rowe and he was more than up for the task to send the ball out for a corner.
He dealt well with looping crosses in the opening period before showing very quick reactions to follow Maura Bandeira's wicked shot and send it wide. The second half he produce much of the same and ensured his presence was felt by the Gunners first showing good awareness to snuff out a chance from Charles Sagoe jr before making a nuisance of himself in a goalmouth scramble quickly following a strong save low to his right in the 77th minute. Very good performance.
Harvey Vale - The attacking prospect who spent the start of season on loan at Hull took to the pitch for 80 minutes exchanging across a narrow front three that looked to hound the Arsenal defence. For much of the game, Vale was Chelsea's threat, delivering teasing balls in the opening half before taking shooting into his own hands in the second but being denied. He's clearly a leader of the Chelsea side despite only recently returning.
Alfie Gilchrist - Chelsea captain could have made the list simply for his 73rd-minute challenge on Lino Sousa to end an Arsenal attack at the crucial moment with a thud but showed good leadership throughout the match and was undaunted by any physical challenge. A good solid outing to command the base of the Chelsea back three as they earned a clean sheet.
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