What Kalidou Koulibaly did to Nicolas Pepe to inspire rare Chelsea positive in Arsenal defeat

It's safe to say Kalidou Koulibaly made a positive first impression in Chelsea colours, even as the Blues fell to a comprehensive defeat to Arsenal. In a match dominated by the difference in intensity and match-readiness between the two London sides, the Senegal international still managed to highlight what he could have to offer over the course of his four-year contract.

After signing Koulibaly from Napoli, Jorginho was unequivocal in his assessment of the transfer that brought his former teammate to Stamford Bridge. He said: "For me, the club – along with the staff and the coach - have made the best possible choice in bringing Kalidou to the club. I just really hope, and I’m pretty sure of this, he will be a big help to our team. He is a fantastic player and a perfect replacement [for Antonio Rudiger]."

Rudiger brought presence to the Chelsea side. Whether it be through a firm challenge or unusual antic he was able to lift the crowd. It is too soon to know if Koulibaly will fill that gap but he provided a rare positive in a pretty dire performance from the Blues as they brought their US tour to a close.

Tuchel described Koulibaly as Chelsea's 'best player on the pitch' and noted 'on an evening where nothing felt good, this felt good'. Indeed it might have been nice to have seen the defender for even longer.

However, the 48-year-old Blues boss seemed to suggest in his post-match press conference that Chelsea utilising a back four in the opening half of the friendly was more a question of resources as opposed to flexing a new tactical muscle. Put simply: "If you want to play three at the back you need to have three in the back. If you don’t, it’s not worth playing three in the back."

It's a sign Chelsea are not yet