Chelsea needed 'world-class' James - 'and he delivered'

Chelsea went into Sunday's game against Arsenal desperate for a home win against their old enemies to break a horrible run at Stamford Bridge against their London rivals.

This was to be a true measure of what level Enzo Maresca's team have reached. Arsenal are, as much as it hurts to say it, the best team in Europe right now. Their only rivals for that title were Bayern Munich and the Gunners beat them pretty handily in midweek.

Chelsea did not get the victory they wanted, but the draw they got was particularly heartening in the circumstances. After a violent (if absorbing) first half, Moises Caicedo was given a red card for a nasty tackle on Mikel Merino.

At that point, it looked like it was set to be another disappointing day at home against Arsenal. But instead, Maresca's team dug deep, managed to score a goal and hold their opposition to just one themselves.

Huge credit should go to Reece James, playing in a midfield now shorn of its main source of running and pressing. It was game over unless he delivered a world-class performance - and he did just that. His performance can be summed up with two stats.

Firstly his duels - he won eleven (joint-most with Jurrien Timber) and lost just two. That ridiculous ratio shows how well he stood up to the physical challenge that Arsenal posed.

Secondly, the fact James drew four fouls from opposition players. That was not just the joint-most in the game, it also led to three yellows for Arsenal players.

That shows how desperate they were to stop him as he surged forward through the middle of the pitch time and time again. Down to 10 men against a top team, Chelsea needed their captain to play like he was two players - which he did.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News