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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Chelsea told five reasons why Arsenal fans hated Mykhailo Mudryk debut

New Chelsea signing Mykhailo Mudryk has been compared to Arjen Robben after an impressive debut, with Arsenal fans expected to be concerned after missing out on their top transfer target.

Mudryk caught the eye during a 35-minute cameo, setting up a number of openings and hitting the sidenetting after fine work inside the area, but was unable to make the occasion with a goal.

Speaking after the game, BT Sport pundits Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand were equally impressed, and the latter feels Arsenal fans would not have enjoyed what they saw.

"If I were a Chelsea fan I would be very excited," Gerrard said. "I feel like Chelsea hit the jackpot. He made a great entrance. That was a strong cameo ... he looks the real deal, some of his clips today were outstanding.

"He reminded me a little bit of Arjen Robben here today; his footwork, how quick he is, how he manipulates the ball, I would be very excited if I was Chelsea."

Ferdinand added: "We’ve all seen clips of his explosive pace, but I saw someone there with soft feet today, someone who’s got a good weight of pass, good decision-making in the final third, the calmness running at speed - those elements there make it a frightening proposition running at a full-back when he gets into full flow.

New man: Mudryk impressed on debut (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

"These are only his first minutes in a month or so, so who knows what he’s going to be producing after this. It’s an exciting moment for Chelsea fans and I’m sure there will be Arsenal fans sitting there going 'oh my days, how did we let this one go?'."

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