Three overreactions to Chelsea's win at Arsenal on Sunday

Three overreactions to Chelsea’s win at Arsenal on Sunday

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz shoots past Arsenal's German goalkeeper Bernd Leno to score the opening goal of the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Sadium in north London on August 1, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (L) vies with Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (R) during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Sadium in north London on August 1, 2021. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back to his 2018/19 self

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, much like Chalobah, was one of the most impressive players on the pitch at Arsenal. The midfielder took spectators back to the 2018/19 season with some of the penetrating runs he made from the middle of the park into the final third. He showed glimpses of his pre-Achilles injury self for the first time since Maurizio Sarri was roaming the touchline and donning the Chelsea badge. This led to supporters officially declaring Loftus-Cheek “back.”

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

While it was undoubtedly refreshing to see the academy graduate displaying his true talents in front of the new manager, he still has a long way to go in his recovery. Callum Hudson-Odoi is another perfect example of this. Pundits and fans alike have been quick to write them off in recent years due to the dip in form, but those unfairly critiquing the English internationals do not realize the amount of time it takes to get back into form.

Loftus-Cheek’s recent loan to Fulham was largely deemed a failure due to the ineffectiveness of his play. The 25-year-old struggled to make an impact in a Cottagers side that needed his creativity and darting runs. However, the silver lining is the fact the Blues conned another English side into giving him the minutes he needed to get back on the path to recovery. Going forward, Loftus-Cheek’s goal is to reach the level we all know he is capable of reaching.

The performance he put on against Arsenal did not signify his full return to his best career form. It did show Chelsea fans that there is a talented player still in there somewhere. Tuchel’s job (right now at least) is to work with the midfielder to unlock that star. The Blues have an open midfield spot due to Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour’s recent loans. Loftus-Cheek was always going to get a look in and Sunday’s showing went a long way in showing he is deserving of that roster place.

dark. Next. Chelsea at Arsenal player ratings: First major preseason tune-up

What are some overreactions you saw in the first match of The Mind Series? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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