Arsenal were forced to settle for a point at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea.
The excitement was palpable among supporters 75 minutes before kick off as Martin Odegaard’s return to the starting XI was confirmed. Declan Rice was also fit enough to be included in Mikel Arteta’s XI, while Cole Palmer was also involved from the first whistle.
It was the Chelsea star who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening exchanges as he escaped Thomas Partey and unleashed a fierce shot from distance which was well saved by David Raya. Malo Gusto then spurned a gilt-edged chance for the Blues before Gabriel Martinelli was denied by Robert Sanchez at the other end after the Gunners won possession back high up the pitch.
The remainder of the first-half was pretty dreary, although Arsenal thought they’d taken the lead when Kai Havertz poked home from Declan Rice’s quick free-kick, but the German’s opener was ruled out for offside following VAR intervention.
A significant second-half was in store with the two sides level, and it was Arteta’s visitors who drew first blood on the hour. Gabriel Martinelli squeezed home his effort beyond Robert Sanchez at the near post after he was cleverly found by Odegaard in behind. The Gunners had worked so hard to earn the advantage, but they were quickly pegged back by the home side.
A defensive breakdown allowed Pedro Neto all the time in the world to strike from the edge of the area, and the winger’s effort was emphatic to draw Chelsea level.
In truth, both teams huffed and puffed in the closing stages, but Arsenal were able to fashion a couple of high-quality chances – both of which fell at the feet of substitute Leandro Trossard. However, offsides in the build-up likely would’ve denied the Belgian had he not left his clutch gene in the dressing room
